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Practical volunteering placements on Scottish Wildlife Trust reserves
Are you able to dedicate a longer period of time to helping nature? Whether you’re seeking practical conservation skills or are simply after an exciting escape, our practical volunteering placements are a fantastic way to gain hands-on experience, meet new people and immerse yourself in one of our wildlife reserves. Placements can range from one week to several months, and we welcome applicants from all walks of life.
If you can’t find the answer to your question on our FAQs page, please contact Peter Gilbert on 0131 312 4732 or at pgilbert@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk.
To view all our current practical volunteering placement opportunities, visit our listings page.
Anouk, Handa monthly volunteer, June 2023
Volunteers will work with our Reserves’ Project Officers to undertake various outdoor practical management techniques in a variety of habitats such as grassland, wetland and peat bog, often using a mixture of hand tools and power tools. You could be helping with reserve maintenance, species protection, monitoring and surveys, or even unplanned emergency work such as repairing storm damage.
Activities take place Monday to Thursday each week. Tasks will vary according to the reserve and the time of year, but some examples of work might be:
Each of our wildlife reserves is different, and many host a variety habitats within the same reserve. Each site has different management considerations. Wherever you are based, you will be immersed in nature throughout your daily tasks and will be working alongside committed and experienced staff who are keen to pass on their knowledge.
To view all our current practical volunteering placement opportunities, visit our listings page.
Knowledge of reserve management techniques and of different Scottish habitats, Scottish plant & animal species
Skills in the use of tools, working as a team, communication, health & safety, species identification
A volunteering placement is also a fantastic way to meet like-minded people and build your network, all while giving back to nature.
You would be volunteering your time up to 4 days per week, although we can be flexible. Placements can last between 1 and 6 months, contact us to discuss your options.
Accommodation is provided for our residential placements on Handa, Eigg and at Loch of the Lowes (see below). For all other placements we are unable to provide accommodation or any financial help towards the cost of accommodation. However, we can suggest some possible options where you might find a room to rent.
You will be responsible for arranging and financing your own travel to the volunteering placement location, and your daily travel between your accommodation and work each day.
An allowance towards food costs is provided for residential placements on Handa, Eigg and at Loch of the Lowes (see below). For all other placements you must be fully funded and able to pay for all costs for the duration of your volunteering.
Yes! By working abroad, you will gain extra life experience and cultural aspects associated with living in a new country. This will boost your confidence and boost your language skills, and provide you with an opportunity to build new networks. There are some considerations to note:
Visas
Given new immigration procedures we prefer placements to last a minimum of 13 weeks. We will issue a Certificate of Sponsorship which will enable you to obtain an appropriate visa.
Accommodation
We are unable to provide any financial help towards the cost of accommodation. However, we can suggest some possible options where you might find a room to rent.
Travel
You will be responsible for arranging your own travel to Scotland and your home to work travel each day.
Costs
You must be fully funded and able to pay for all costs for the duration of your stay in Scotland.
Every year the Scottish Wildlife Trust provides residential opportunities to volunteer at three of our wildlife reserves: Isle of Eigg, Handa Island and Loch of the Lowes.
Become a seasonal volunteer ranger on the community owned island with its diverse mix of coastal land, farmland, willow and hazel scrub, native woodland, raised bog and moorland.
Become a seasonal volunteer on this wild island that is an internationally important breeding site for guillemots, razorbills and great skuas.
Become a seasonal volunteer ranger at one of our top visitor sites, home to red squirrels, great-crested grebes and the ospreys that return to their nest site each year.
