Conservation Volunteer (Mobile Taskforce)

Canal & River Trust; Walsall; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the Canal & River Trust as a volunteer in the Towpath Task Force and contribute to the maintenance and enhancement of local waterways. You'll engage with the community, participate in outdoor activities, and help with conservation efforts while meeting new people and staying active in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Spending time outdoors

Learning new skills

Keeping fit

Meeting friendly people

Being part of a supportive team

Improving your wellbeing

Qualifications

• Enthusiasm for outdoor work and learning.
• Ability to walk to various locations.

Responsibilities

• Engage in day-to-day maintenance and conservation tasks.
• Participate in heritage restoration and environmental enhancements.
• Report any issues and support accessibility efforts.

Skills

Willingness to learn new skills

Ability to travel to remote locations

Job description

To get to some of our more remote stretches of canal, we are setting up a once-a-month mobile task force in two areas around Walsall – one to the north of the town and one to the south west.

As a member of our Towpath Task Force, you will work with our experienced lead volunteer and alongside Trust operatives managing vegetation (pruning, clearing, planting), litter collection, and general maintenance tasks. You will also act as our eyes and ears, reporting any issues that need attention.

As highly visible members of the team, our Towpath Taskforce Volunteers serve as the friendly, helpful face of the Canal and River Trust, engaging with the public and making our waterways more welcoming.

Sessions will run once a month, with opportunities to join additional sessions weekly. Our current conservator volunteers value this role for making friends, staying active, and enhancing wellbeing.

Why we want you

Our Conservator volunteers help maintain our network, performing heritage and nature conservation activities, as well as everyday tasks like painting or litter picking to improve the local environment.

They help address tough issues on the waterways, ensuring canal accessibility and maintenance. As the waterways become more popular, your support will help us meet these challenges and keep canals vibrant.

Some projects are specific, such as rebuilding stone walls or mass planting, allowing volunteers to contribute in various ways.

What you will be doing

• Day-to-day maintenance
• Heritage restoration
• Graffiti removal
• Environmental enhancements like hedgelaying
• Creating new access points with building or improving steps and ramps
• Declaring any unspent convictions during registration and participating in risk assessments as needed

The skills you need

• Willingness to learn new skills
• Ability to travel to remote locations

What's in it for you

• Spending time outdoors
• Learning new skills, some with external accreditation
• Keeping fit
• Meeting friendly people
• Being part of a supportive team
• Improving your wellbeing