Online services may be unavailable on occasions during Saturday 26th May 2012 and Sunday 27th May 2012 due to essential maintenance. We apologize for any inconvenience caused and we'll be aiming to minimize any distruption.

VOLUNTEERING

Get involved - Volunteer!

The Countryside Service has loads of opportunities for people to volunteer. At the moment we are recruiting volunteers for the following activities:

Practical conservation work parties on the Axe Estuary Wetlands

This group meets most Tuesdays from 10am until 4pm. They are involved in lots of construction work such as fencing, boardwalk building and bridge repairs as well as the maintenance of the hides, platforms and hedgerows. No experience is needed - just bring along your enthusiasm and be prepared to get mucky!

Guide in the Hide

If you are an experienced bird watcher and also like talking to people, we are always keen to recruit more 'Guides in the Hides'. The weekly Thursday session is on the Axe Estuary Wetlands, usually in either the Island Hide or Tower Hide although if you would prefer to guide at Seaton Marshes or Colyford Common you would be most welcome.

Hide Carers

Our fantastic range of new hides require regular monitoring to check for cleanliness, up-to-date information, vandalism and so on. We have five hides on the Axe Estuary Wetlands and volunteers are free to come and go as they please to spruce up 'their' hide on a regular basis.

Axe Estuary Wetlands Wardens

As the Wetlands begins to attracts more and more visitors, we are going to require a regular on-site presence. Wardens are our public 'face' so it is essential that you love wildlife and enjoy talking to people. If you would like an informal chat about what being a warden involves then please get in touch.

Water Vole raft checkers

Although we no longer have a Water Vole Project officer in post, there are still many hundreds of rafts out along the Rivers Otter and Axe and their tributaries. These rafts need regular inspection for signs of mink, otter or water vole. Full training provided.

Himalayan Balsam bashing

Himalayan Balsam is bad news for our native plants and wildlife. This summer we are aiming to hold a number of balsam bashing work parties along some of the tributaries of the River Axe and Otter. Once we have the tributaries under control, then it will be time to get going on the main river corridors from source to sea.

Practical conservation volunteers at Holyford Woods

During the summer of 2011 there are plans to build a new path and steps through part of the woods that isn't currently accessible to the public. Dates to be arranged.

Practical conservation volunteers at Trinity Hill

There is a lot of rhododendron clearance to be done towards the end of the year as well as the usual removal of silver birch . Dates to be arranged.

If you would like to volunteer for any of the above please contact Diane Berry on 01395 517557 or 07814 477422 or email dberry@eastdevon.gov.uk

Page last updated on 25 May 2012