The Trust is today launching an innovative new volunteering programme – Scottish Wildlife Volunteers – as part of its 50th Anniversary celebrations.
The charity was founded by a group of volunteers, led by Sir Charles Connell, in 1964 and volunteers have been at the heart of the Trust’s work ever since.
Collectively, they have helped achieve some major successes for Scotland’s wildlife, including the remarkable recovery of species such as the otter.
The new volunteering programme has been developed in response to the changing expectations of would-be volunteers and caters for a range of needs, including the growing popularity of ‘micro-volunteering’, where people give as little as one hour at a time.
For people looking to fit volunteering into a busy schedule, Scottish Wildlife Volunteers can sign up to a new Flexi-Team which offers the opportunity to volunteer more flexibly than ever before.
Once registered, volunteers will have access to a raft of rewarding and enjoyable jobs, some of which are located in the most stunning places around Scotland.
Scottish Wildlife Volunteers will also find more chances to acquire skills that are valuable for career development and more opportunities to share experience, for example through a new mentoring scheme that will enable younger people to benefit from guidance and support from more senior volunteers.
The People’s Postcode Lottery Volunteer Training Fund has also been established so that Scottish Wildlife Volunteers can be nominated to undertake training that will increase their skills and help them to be even more effective in their role.
Deputy Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, Kate Pearson, said: “We are thrilled that our players are supporting this vital part of the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s work and are sure that many people will be only too willing to give up some time to help protect Scotland’s amazing wildlife.
“We have a long association with this fantastic charity and are delighted to help celebrate this landmark year.”
Chief Executive of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Jonathan Hughes, said: “The Scottish Wildlife Trust has relied on the dedication of hard-working volunteers who have contributed to every aspect of our work over the past 50 years – from practical conservation on our 120 wildlife reserves, to campaigning to save protected sites and inspiring people through educational activities.
“However, we appreciate people can find it difficult to juggle their desire to volunteer and other commitments such as employment and family life.
“That is why those joining Scottish Wildlife Volunteers will be able to volunteer even more flexibly from today.
“If we are organising a beach-clean, an awareness-raising event or a butterfly count, people will be able to lend a hand for that specific activity but importantly they will be kept updated so they can be called upon when it is right for them.
“Every single minute of volunteer time really makes a difference to Scotland’s wildlife – people often think they are too busy but even an hour will help.”
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Richard Lochhead, said: “The Scottish Wildlife Trust’s volunteers play a vital role in the preservation of Scotland’s beautiful wildlife.
“There are a huge range of opportunities on offer across Scotland including the new flexi-team which will help people volunteer alongside their busy lives.
“I congratulate the Scottish Wildlife Trust on 50 years of protecting Scotland's wildlife and the many volunteers that helped make this possible.”
Tonight, the Scottish Wildlife Trust will be holding a special celebration for volunteers at the Scottish Parliament to commemorate the contribution that has been made by them over the past 50 years.
It is being hosted by Shadow Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Claudia Beamish, and the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment, Richard Lochhead, who will hear from volunteers of their experiences and how it has enriched their lives.