Volunteering holidays aren't just for bored teenagers. As Christine Ottery found out, there are plenty of ways to see the UK and do your bit at the same time
… Ten of the best... British volunteering holidays Christine Ottery | 21st October 2011 Ethical Living Volunteering Travel Conservation Scotland UK England Beaches Wildlife holding.jpg Volunteering holidays aren't just for bored …
A 30-year decline in toad populations recorded by volunteers, shows the need to rebuild vital 'green infrastructure' across both the wider countryside and urban areas, writes Oliver Tickell: reversing habitat fragmentation, digging out ponds and ditches, and leaving ample unkempt areas for cover and hibernation.
… decline in toad populations recorded by volunteers, shows the need to rebuild vital … (IUCN) red-listing over this period despite volunteer conservation efforts" , state the … with thousands of conservation volunteers in both the UK and Switzerland …
UK water voles face an uncertain future after widespread habitat loss and predation by American mink, write Emily Thomas and Nida Al-Fulaij. But you can help by joining a UK-wide monitoring scheme run by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species that's recruiting nature-loving volunteers to survey local lakes, rivers, ditches and streams for signs of these lovable but elusive creatures.
… Citizens' science to save our water voles - volunteers needed! Emily Thomas Nida Al-Fulaij … Species that's recruiting nature-loving volunteers to survey local lakes, rivers, … to collect robust data, we need an army of volunteers surveying sites across the country …
A Sussex-based forest gardening project has overcome adversity to celebrate its 20th anniversary, writes Jan Goodey. And now it features one of the most eco of eco-builds in Britain, using all local timber, clay, straw ... and wine bottles.
… meeting space and communal area for staff and volunteers - a mix of local residents, the … attention after the fire and loads of new volunteers" , Russell adds. So he harnessed … apprentice Russ Kingston and other regular volunteers since 2012. Some weeks could see as …
As Lancashire planners come out in support of the UK's first fracking well, Jojo Mehta has something to celebrate: the resounding success of the 'What does FRACKING mean?' leaflets she crowd funded for in April. So far 80,000 have gone out to campaigners and volunteers all over the UK, and requests for more are piling up.
… far 80,000 have gone out to campaigners and volunteers all over the UK, and requests for … requested for distribution by campaigning and volunteering groups all round the country. … letting the frackers have it Campaigners and volunteer distributors have found all sort of …
Good food is an essential ingredient at Schumacher College, writes Julia Ponsonby, made with love using fresh, wholesome ingredients many of which have traveled no further than the vegetable garden. No less important, the sense of companionship, learning, fun and frequent hilarity that permeates the building - and the kitchen in particular.
… they will be engaged in cooking, with staff, volunteers and professional chefs. Here we … breads baked mainly by our longest serving volunteer, Voirrey Watterson, who is also a …
With so many rural post offices in the UK threatened with closure, Mark Anslow visits two villages whose residents have taken it upon themselves to deliver the goods.
… lease and the expertise of a highly skilled volunteer committee – the new Ropley village … are quick to acknowledge the importance of volunteers. Although the managers are paid, … and manager Lisa Murphy has turned the volunteer system into a form of work …
Ten years ago, Mo and Dave fell in love, writes Helen Leavey - with a ruinous but romantic water mill in Yorkshire. It was the beginning of a fabulous restoration adventure, and the mill is now an exemplar of renewable energy generation and a thriving education centre.
… of more £1.2 million and encouraged 200 volunteers (including her own two children, … were both university students in York. "Our volunteers spent an inordinate amount of time …
Onshore wind power is effective, hugely popular, and the UK's cheapest form of new power generation, writes Max Wakefield, already competing against gas turbines in prime locations. So why did Cameron's Government ban it? And what will it take to get Chancellor Philip Hammond to reverse that decision next week?
… next week? It took just 15 minutes for 25 volunteers to transform the bare square of … whisked away by aides. That is why 10:10 volunteers carpeted Parliament Square in …
When fracking came to Balcombe in West Sussex in 2013, it divided village opinion, writes Joe Nixon. But the community is now united in its commitment to locally owned renewable energy, with solar projects on schools and farm buildings, and plans just in for a new 5MW solar farm.
… doing a great job, well organised with many volunteers, but there was still something … stay. Those of us who did became the core ten volunteers at the heart of the …
It's time for UK citizens to #takebackREALcontrol by challenging the anti-democratic powers that control our country, our economy and our lives, retiring Green Party Leader Natalie Bennett told her party conference this weekend in this barnstorming speech. And that's a challenge only the Greens are prepared to take on.
… job I've had to rely on thousands of unpaid volunteers - volunteers who've worked out itineraries, …
Britain is shipping 700kg of highly-enriched uranium capable of making scores of nuclear bombs to the US, writes Gordon MacKerron. The move is a symptom of a huge problem that's afflicting all nuclear nations - what to do with their nuclear wastes? The only real solution is deep geological disposal. But it's politically fraught, technically challenging, very expensive - and has yet to be done.
… which local communities would conditionally volunteer a site and then negotiate a deal … by district councils around Sellafield to volunteer it were overruled in 2013 by Cumbria …
Daniel Raven-Ellison is a man with a big idea - making London the world's first 'National Park City' to safeguard, and promote the enjoyment of London's myriad natural treasures, writes Lucy Anna Scott. Is he bonkers? Probably. But with a growing band of backers getting behind his bold vision, who cares?
… Increased opportunities to create more volunteers and develop green space for our … HQ for park rangers across the 33 boroughs. A volunteer service, open to anyone from the age …
It's time for the Government to get serious about the flooding - and the climate change that is driving it, says Green Party Leader Natalie Bennett. Cameron should begin by dredging the muck out of his own Cabinet.
… workers, Environment Agency staff and volunteers are driving themselves to …
A proposed redesign of the Natural History Museum's grounds in London would cause some unfortunate collateral damage, writes Gary Grant - the destruction of the Museum's 21 year-old wildlife garden, an ecological jewel in the heart of London which features over 3,000 species of plant and animal in just one lovingly tended acre. The Museum must think again!
… colonised the garden and museum staff and volunteers monitored and documented the … commitment on the part of Museum staff and volunteers in making these observations. Those …
The Garden Bridge will offer a new kind of green space in the heart of the city, strengthening London's status as the greenest capital in Europe, writes Bee Emmott. It will benefit the health and wellbeing of local communities and visitors alike.
… costs while also providing education and volunteering opportunities. These opening …
Following last winter's severe flooding in SW England, the Government has refused to assess how badly badgers suffered - even though local populations could have crashed. If the cull goes ahead, badgers could be wiped out of some areas altogether.
… Levels, only two of whom could be rescued. A volunteer from Secret World Wildlife Rescue …
Forget France; the UK is home to some of the coolest holiday spots on the planet. Whether you want scenery, natural phenomena or a dose of eco-luxury, there’s a British break to suit you
… park GREEN LIVING Ten of the best... British volunteering holidays Volunteering holidays aren't just for bored …
Organic certification used to be carried out by real farmers in wellies, who knew all the tricks and could spot dodgy practice on the land at 100 paces, writes Julian Rose. Today's certifiers arrive in patent leather shoes and get no further than the office - and this is meant to be an improvement?
… of rye. "Wonderful weed suppressor, rye", he volunteered. "Good choice for poor land - …
The UK Government plans to lock consumers into a 2.5bn a year, 15-year spend to support peak-time fossil power generation - while undermining energy demand savings capable of achieving the same purpose more cleanly and cheaply. But today the 'unlawful' system has been hit by an ECJ lawsuit.
… by National Grid. Conversely, customers who volunteer to turn down energy use during peak …
Todmorden in Yorkshire's Calder Valley has been transformed by free food growing on its streets, parks and even its rooftops. Julian Dobson tells the inspiring story of Incredible Edible and how the transformational project is going global ....
… reason why the actions of a small group of volunteers have made such an impact is that …
The 2016 'State of Nature' report, published today, offers many small victories to celebrate, writes SUSAN CLARK, but overall it's not good news: 15% of our native species are under threat of extinction, while 53% are in decline. With intensive farming the main cause of the damage, and climate change a serious long term problem, turning the tide of wildlife attrition will be a long and challenging task.
… the UK has thousands of dedicated and expert volunteers recording wildlife . It is largely …
If you love wildlife and enjoy country walks, you've got the makings of a badger patroller, writes Lesley Docksey. You can walk at night if you want to, but daytime observation on country lanes and footpaths is no less important, watching out for the signs of cullers at work. And with the trust and warm friendship that builds among badger patrollers, you'll never be without congenial company.
… aren't. People come from far away. Two volunteers, faithfully driving miles on …