As we celebrate 60 years of championing Scotland’s wildlife, this blog series will share stories from just a few of the hundreds of Trust volunteers who are making a difference today.

Our recent volunteers

We are constantly welcoming new volunteers at the Scottish Wildlife Trust who each bring a something different. Here are three different stories from some of our reserve-based volunteers who have started with us recently.

Sam Collins – Reserves volunteer, North of Scotland

As part of Sam’s university placement year, he became a long-term, full-time volunteer with the Trust in the North of Scotland and undertook a lot of surveying on our reserves including woodland lichens:

“The process and reward of lichen identification has been a real highlight for me, and understanding lichens a little more has made me see woodlands from a new perspective. I also happened upon a narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth at the Belmaduthy wildlife reserve, and I was pleasantly surprised at how unique and impressive this species was.”
Sam also undertook Habitat Impact Assessments (HIA) in order to assess the impact of deer grazing.

“During my time up in the Highlands, it has become clear just how much [deer] affect the vegetation, via grazing and trampling, throughout the region. It’s nice to know that undertaking the HIA’s has provided evidence to help inform appropriate management of the deer in the highlands, the results of which will hopefully improve biodiversity in the Highlands as a whole.”

Roz MacLeod – Volunteer in Ayrshire

Roz volunteers with one of the Ayrshire volunteer groups organised and led by Harry Richards, our Community Engagement Officer. She came to the Trust as a student, juggling volunteering whilst studying Rural Business Management at the Scottish Rural College in Ayr and then going on to being Student President.

In a short time, Roz has undertaken a range of different volunteer roles whilst with us: practical volunteer undertaking various management tasks and she has also volunteered as a reserve warden for a short time.

Before she volunteered with the Trust, Roz was familiar with Shewalton Wood, and she was pleased to be able to give something back as a volunteer: “It is quiet and peaceful, and there is always something new to see, it changes with the seasons and the wildlife is magnificent: otter, buzzards, deer, short eared owl, kestrel, adders, moths and much more! It is an exciting learning experience to try to identify these and it is great to go off the beaten track a bit as well, you just never know what you might see.”

Lynn Telfer – Time Out Thursday volunteer, Ayrshire

Lynn volunteers with our Time Out Thursday group led by Harry Richards. This group is designed to promote well-being and offers a chance to participate for those who prefer a mix of lighter tasks.

Lynn was diagnosed with early onset dementia in 2023 after having stopped working in 2021 .

Lynn & her husband Stuart were struggling to fill her day and they found out about the Trust through a local volunteer organisation.

They saw Harry Richards at his base in Irvine and his easy going manner and reassurance put both at ease. After all, Lynn liked being out in nature, walking, being outdoors and volunteering with the Trust filled this need.

Stuart says: “Lynn wants to feel normal again and to feel treated the same as everyone else. The Thursday group puts an arm around her, walks with her & talks with her and understands her needs.  She feels included, feels that everyone understands her needs and they look out for her. She enjoys the companionship and loves going to the group and she talks about it a lot to me.”

The Thursday Group gives Stuart a little bit of time to himself and he knows she is safe in the Trusts’ hands and having some fun. The group is perfect for Lynn given her needs at present.

Stuart said: “I couldn’t praise Harry more highly. He is perfect with communications and Lynn being with the group provides so much.”

A huge thank you to our featured volunteers, Sam, Roz, Lynn and Stuart.

If you would like to volunteer with the Scottish Wildlife Trust, please head to our volunteering page to find out more information.