Better than a day at the Gym - Volunteer Opportunities to Manage the Exe Estuary

If you'd like to get more involved with the practical management of the Exe Estuary and surrounding areas then we've got just the thing for you.

Volunteer opportunities that run throughout the spring and summer are available for everybody to come along and get involved.  From pond clearance to boardwalk construction we are giving you the opportunity to be a part of the conservation and practical management of the Exe Estuary.

All events are led by the Exe Estuary Officer and Officers from the site being used.   A full health and safety briefing will be given along with training in the task to be carried out.  A light lunch is available free of charge for all volunteers.  Necessary tools and protective clothing, such as gloves, will be provided for you.  All you need is a sensible pair of shoes, old clothing, a raincoat and some sun cream so that we can be ready for any weather conditions.

The events are a great Opportunity to meet new friends, do something for the environment and get active in beautiful surroundings.  The events are open to everybody although spaces are limited for health and safety reasons so please book early.

Please contact the Exe Estuary Officer to find out about future planned events

Exe Estuary Officer by email or 01392 382236

Previous Events

Wednesday 10th September 2008- Pond clearance at Dawlish Warren

Wednesday 3rd September 2008 - Management Tasks at the RSPB's Exminster Marshes

Friday 16th May 2008 - Boardwalk creation at the Old Sludge Beds with the Devon Wildlife Trust

Wednesday 26th March 2008 - Exeter based consultancy firm Environ help out at the Old Sludge Beds.

Friday 16th May 2008

A small group of volunteers achieved an amazing amount of work on a very wet Friday afternoon.  The Old Sludge Beds is a nature reserve managed by the Devon Wildlife Trust.  Being a largely reedbed habitat with open water areas it is essential that the reserve's boardwalks are maintained and developed in order to maintain public access to the site without damaging this fragile habitat.

The volunteers worked tirelessly to develop two new stretches of boardwalk on the site and were rewarded with a hearty lunch.

Wednesday 26th March 2008

Exeter based consultancy firm, Environ, took to the Old Sludge Beds on Wednesday 26^th March to help out with the practical management of the site.
Led by the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and assisted by the Exe Estuary Officer the group worked to improve access to the site by clearing a fallen willow tree and repairing an old broken set of steps as well as some willow thinning to help with the management of the site.
The group worked really well and were rewarded with a hot lunch of jacket potato and beans cooked on the fire followed by roasted marshmallows.
Matt Neale of Environ said, “The whole group had a great day and we look forward to getting involved again in the future.”

For opportunities to volunteer with BTCV or find out about employee volunteering events please visit www2.btcv.org.uk or call Exeter Office: 01392 496687 Plymouth Office: 01752 301416