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If you want to help protect, conserve and enhance Kent's
environment then there are many opportunities to get
involved.
There are hands-on tasks like tree planting or clearing ponds,
or you can help behind the scenes in campaigning and fund
raising.
Whatever your interest or background, there are many
organisations who will welcome your help.
What are the benefits for me?
Volunteering is not just about giving up your time; it is very
much about enjoying the experience.
It can bring about personal fulfilment, add a whole new
dimension to your social life and give you an opportunity to use
unknown skills and talents.
You could also think about volunteering as a group, with friends
or work colleagues. You can learn new skills to share and learn
within your team.
From an employer's perspective volunteering can help encourage
staff to work together more effectively and improve the company's
image.
How can I get involved?
Volunteers are needed in all areas and from all walks of
life.
The projects that you can get involved in vary from global or
national schemes to specialised groups who focus on a particular
area.
Any of the volunteer groups listed here would love to hear from
you if you have time to spare to help protect and enhance our
environment.
Countryside projects
There are several active partnerships in Kent all of which are
supported by Kent County Council.
They provide a way for local residents to take an active role in
helping to preserve the countryside around them.
For more details about how you can get involved, including
contact details for the groups, view the
countryside partnerships page of this site.
Other environmental organisations
(The following links all open in new windows.)
Kent Wildlife Trust depends on the support of hundreds of
volunteers who help to protect wildlife for the future. They
provide opportunities for a range of volunteering experiences from
hands-on practical conservation to helping support its work through
campaigns and fund raising. For more information go to the
Kent
Wildlife Trust.
British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) is the UK's
leading charity working with people to bring about positive
environmental change. The Kent group offers a range of local
conservation based activities. You can find out more at the
BTCV web
site.
Council for the Protection of Rural England is a campaign group
that exists to promote the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of
rural England by encouraging the sustainable use of land and other
natural resources in town and country. You can find more
information at the Council for the Protection of Rural England web
site.
Groundwork UK regularly involve volunteers in their projects,
especially people seeking work experience before moving into
full-time paid employment. Opportunities depend on the types of
projects being run by the individual trusts. Visit the
Groundwork
UK web site.
The National Trust relies on the generosity of its supporters,
through membership subscriptions, gifts, legacies and the
contribution of many thousands of volunteers who generously
contribute over two million hours of their valuable time each year.
You can find out more at
The National Trust.
Kent Reptile Amphibian Group records and monitors lizards and
frogs, plus other reptiles and amphibians, across the county.
Volunteers can help them by recording information, details can be
found at the
Kent Reptile Amphibian Group.
The Mammal Society needs your help to record mammals. You can
send information about what you saw, and where and when you saw it,
to the county mammal recorder. Details can be found at
The Mammal Society.
WWF (formerly known as the World Wildlife Fund) has lots of
fundraising events that take place throughout the year, details of
which can be found at
WWF. |