Friends of 7 Acres - Volunteering

Volunteering with 7 Acres Rangers

Volunteers take a rest on a recent litter pick!

Volunteering is a fun and sociable activity, and a great way to get a bit of exercise outdoors while getting closer to local wildlife. You don't need to be super fit or an expert in conservation to take part - just willing to try something new and get your hands dirty!

A volunteer group meets at the Environment Centre on Bury road every Friday from 10am - 3pm.

There is no need to book - anyone is welcome to turn up on the day - but we'd recommend phoning ahead on the number below in case the activity is cancelled for any reason. Activities will be taking place outdoors, so please wear old clothes and sturdy footwear. The Trust can provide waterproofs, refreshments and all necessary tools.

We may be in a position to offer accredited training awards from AQA and the John Muir Award - please ask for more details.

For more information, contact James on 01204 663754

Activities:
The group carry out various habitat management, site maintenance and surveying tasks at both Seven Acres and other Local Nature Reserves in Bolton. These include:

Coppicing - a method of cutting back trees such Hazel and Willow in order to encourage vigourous new growth. This can then be harvested as a sustainable source of wood, and leaving coppiced trees at different stages of re-growth is good for biodiversity.

Grassland management - clearing scrub and cutting the grass at certain times during the year, in order to encourage as diverse a habitat for plants and animals as possible.

Wetland management - clearing excess vegetation, building dams or digging in order to control the water levels and encourage insects and amphibians.

General Maintenance - repairing fences, keeping paths clear and safe and litter picks to keep the sites safe, and accessible for members of the public.