The nation's forests and essential facilities are open, but please follow government coronavirus guidelines when planning your visit
- read our coronavirus guidance.
What can I do?
Make new friends, help a great cause and work in the amazing surroundings of the National Pinetum and Forest… all great reasons for volunteering at Bedgebury.
Opportunities to volunteer vary from assisting with events to practical work in the pinetum.
Visitor experience volunteers
Open to expressions of interest
‘VEVs’ play a key role in meeting visitors to Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, helping with queries, giving directions and advice and providing a warm welcome to the site. This is a great opportunity to meet lots of people whist helping to give visitors all the information they need for a memorable visit to Bedgebury. If you are interested in volunteering for the Visitor experience volunteer role please fill in a register your interest form.
Event volunteers
Not currently recruiting
Event volunteers provide key support for a variety of activities that take place at Bedgebury throughout the calendar year, such as marshalling at races or welcoming visitors at our Christmas event. Typical tasks include meeting & greeting and providing directions to ensure everybody has an enjoyable and safe experience.
Practical volunteers
Not currently recruiting
There are several groups who work under the guidance of the tree team at Bedgebury National Pinetum, helping to maintain our internationally renowned conifer collection. Typical tasks for practical groups (Wednesdays and Sundays) include invasive weed clearance around specimen trees, mending tree cages and autumn raking. This volunteer role provides an opportunity to learn new skills and put them into practice within the collection.
The ‘Tuesday Group’ was established as part of the legacy of the Big Forest Find - England's largest survey of forest and woodland wildlife. Working with Bedgebury’s volunteer coordinator, ecology experts and the pinetum tree team, volunteers help to monitor flora, fauna and native habitats as well as undertake essential practical conservation tasks across the pinetum. This role supports the valuable work that is undertaken by the Bedgebury team through recording and submission of data.
The practical volunteer groups are very popular and are not currently open for applications.
Supporting our volunteers
Training and support for all of the roles is provided.
Your time as a volunteer is much appreciated by Forestry England and is rewarded with thank you events, training opportunities and a parking pass for Bedgebury after 35 hours of volunteering.