Volunteering in the New Forest
Volunteering in the New Forest
Volunteering is an excellent way for you to meet people and learn new skills while helping us care for our beautiful forest. We have several volunteering schemes in the New Forest including our Two Trees Conservation Team, Engagement Volunteer Rangers and our National Shadow Volunteer Scheme.
National Shadow Volunteer scheme
If you are thinking about a career in forestry you may be interested in our Shadow Volunteer scheme.
Taking place in the nation’s forests across England, Shadow Volunteers are given training, experience and development opportunities by work shadowing our staff. The scheme runs for six months, one to three days a week.
Two Trees Conservation Volunteers
Our Two Trees Conservation Volunteers carry out practical conservation tasks throughout the New Forest from October to March. Tasks are led by experienced Conservation Volunteer Rangers, and volunteers use hand tools such as bowsaws and loppers to help protect heritage sites, clear ride edges and remove seeding pines on open heathland to enhance wildlife biodiversity.
You need to be 18 and over to apply, and a level of physical fitness is needed for this role. Role description
Applications are now open for the 2026-27 Conservation Season for new Two Trees to start with us from October.
Engagement Volunteer Rangers
Our Engagement Volunteer Rangers carry out a wide range of tasks such as assisting at public events, leading guided walks, and patrolling the forest to make sure visitors stay safe and enjoy their visit. They also help us at our mobile information units and at our static unit at Bolderwood. We are looking for self-motivated, adaptable, outgoing local people who can communicate effectively and provide assistance in a polite and constructive way. You need to be 18 and over to apply and ideally be able to support us at least two days a month. Each engagement volunteer duty tends to last between four and five hours a day. If you love The New Forest and have an interest in natural history, this could be the role for you.
Applications are now closed for 2026, thank you to everyone who applied.
Keep an eye on this page, and on our social channels, for details of future opportunities to join our Engagement Volunteer Ranger Team.
Corporate volunteering
For any corporate volunteering enquiries, please email: southcorporatevolunteering@forestryengland.uk.
We are unfortunately unable to offer work placement opportunities at this time.