Being outside in the fresh air getting stuck into a practical task is hugely rewarding. Joining a work party means making a tangible difference to the fortunes of our butterflies and moths. Roll your sleeves up...
Work parties involve practical habitat management on our reserves or on land owned and managed by partners in our landscape-scale projects. There are a huge variety of tasks we need help with, including:
- Woodland management
- Planting
- Fencing
- Footpath and ride maintenance
- Tree planting
When you join a work party you will learn all about the specific habitat requirements of target species and how to manage for them. Volunteers on the Surrey Downs, for example, have been protecting Kidney Vetch plots with rabbit-proof fencing to ensure that there are plenty of un-nibbled flower heads for the Small Blue butterflies to lay their eggs. In Edinburgh, work parties have had a more urban feel, as volunteers enhance public green spaces with wildflower plug plants to give the city's butterflies and moths a boost.
While the tasks vary, there are some features of a BC work party that will never change. You will enjoy friendly company, be provided with hand tools and health and safety equipment and of course the all-important tea and biscuit supplies. As well as the positive impacts on the environment, conservation volunteering brings a host of benefits to people too. Volunteers report improved physical and mental health and wellbeing, and increased levels of positivity, as a result of the physical activity and contact with green space
Butterfly Conservation work parties are primarily organised and coordinated by our Branches, and with more than 500 run each year, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Please find your local Branch for details of work parties near you or use our Events Finder.