conservation volunteering
Hylands estate
hylands estate
Hylands estate

Conservation Volunteer Scheme

If you’re looking for things you can do to help wildlife, or you want to get involved with your local parks and nature reserves, either on your own or with your family, then come join us as and when you have free time. You don’t need to make a regular commitment to projects, you can just sign up and take part when you have available time to offer.

Whatever your reason for thinking about volunteering, we would love to hear from you. We have projects running most days of the week throughout the year, many of which are within walking distance.

Young people under 16 are welcome to volunteer with an adult/guardian. Just sign up for a park or local nature reserve near you, then come and join us to help conserve and improve it.

The volunteer groups are really welcoming, and everything you will need is provided. You’ll be given a choice of tasks and provided with full instructions. No machinery is used. We will even make you a hot drink with biscuits at the end of each session, so you have a chance to chat to the other volunteers!

Meet our Volunteers

It’s a great feeling at the end of the day when you look back at your work and see what you have achieved as a group

I have been volunteering with Chelmsford City Council Parks at Hylands for over 8 years. I thoroughly enjoy the variety of work whether it be coppicing trees, dead hedging, repairing footpaths and cutting back brambles to name but a few.  We also work at Galleywood Common, removing holly, bashing down bracken and clearing areas round the heather for it to thrive. At Sandford Mill we have helped create an education area including building a pond for the children to do pond dipping. What I particularly enjoy is working on ponds, donning waders and pulling out the ever encroaching roots and grasses! 

It’s a great feeling at the end of the day when you look back at your work and see what you have achieved as a group.  To sum it up it’s fun, it’s sociable, it’s physical, it’s rewarding, you’re learning new skills and we’re in the great outdoors! 

Trish, Parks volunteer

I thoroughly enjoy being a volunteer and hope to keep on doing it for many years to come.

I first saw the advert for volunteers on the notice board by the brick bridge in Admirals Park a few years back and though it would be something that I would want to be involved with for when I retire. Well retirement came earlier for me than expected due to an unexpected and lengthy hospital stay that caused me to revaluate things in life.

My first session was just over three years ago at a cold, wet and very muddy part of Hyland’s clearing out ditches. Having thoroughly enjoyed that and suitably tired I then went on to attend other sessions, mostly at Hyland’s, undertaking barrowing road planings to restore footpaths or coppicing (which I particularly enjoy) or bridge building. Whilst all the time enjoying the company of like minded people and having a laugh. Which enhances the the time spent when soaking wet or melting away in hot weather.

The Council supply us with really good clothing and boots for those who prove to be regular attendees which is very welcome. As are the chocolate biscuits at lunchtime. I thoroughly enjoy being a volunteer and hope to keep on doing it for many years to come.

Stuart, Parks volunteer 

Get Involved

If you would like to find out more about our conservation volunteer scheme, please get in touch and we will contact you shortly.
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Love Your Chelmsford
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Love Your Chelmsford
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.