If you’re making a New Year Resolution to get fitter, learn new skills and help to protect your local environment then the Cityparks Ranger Volunteers could be right up your street!
The Ranger Volunteers have been carrying out practical conservation projects in parks and nature reserves across Brighton and Hove every Friday since 2011.
In the New Year the group will be expanding and working on Wednesdays.
Friendly and welcoming
Typical tasks include tree planting, coppicing, hedge laying, scrub bashing, gardening, path installation, fencing and wildflower planting.
Volunteer Steve O’Neill said: “The volunteer group is very friendly and welcoming and no previous skills are necessary to enjoy these sessions. I like the wide variety of locations that we work in, the range of jobs that we undertake, and knowing that we are doing something positive for the community and the environment.”
No experience needed
The sessions are run by Cityparks Ranger Neil Doyle, who is encouraging anyone interested in joining to sign up to the mailing list: “Once you’re on the mailing list you’ll receive an email once a week with details of the task and a map showing how to get to the meeting point,” he said. “No experience is needed and we bring all the tools (and the tea and coffee!)
“It’s a great opportunity to spend time in the great outdoors with some friendly people, all doing their bit, to get some good work done.” He added that some volunteers work most weeks, others just a few times a year.
“To join in, just reply to the email and turn up at the meeting point at 10am,” added Neil. The first Wednesday task in the New Year will be on 8 January.
Find out more
To join the mailing list or to find out more, email: cityparks.volunteers@brighton-hove.gov.uk