Bring your passion for wildlife and conservation and join our volunteer team at Durham Wildlife Trust as a Water Vole Survey Volunteer.
Water voles have suffered a drastic decline over the past 60 years making them Britain’s fastest declining mammal. Naturally Native is in the project’s development phase, exploring how we can work in partnerships and with local communities across the North East, to halt the decline and aid the recovery of this much loved British mammal before it is too late. Throughout 2023 we are gathering as much data on the current status of water voles identifying where populations still exist and recording signs of one of the key causes of their decline: predation from invasive American mink. View the role description for more information.
What’s involved?
• Learning how to identify suitable habitat for water voles, signs of active water vole populations and signs of American mink.
• Group survey trips across the North East to record presence and absence of species.
• Being outdoors, negotiating uneven ground and working in and around shallow water courses.
All the above is undertaken as part of a team of volunteers led by the Naturally Native Development Manager
What skills do I need?
• An interest in and enthusiasm for wildlife
• Team worker
• Ability to follow instructions and adhere to Health & Safety procedures
• Good communication skills
• Happy to work outside in all weather conditions
Surveys are running at least once a week through May –September, at times twice a week. These will be delivered on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays. Generally, survey days involve meeting at Rainton Meadows at 10am and returning by 2.30/3pm. You will be required to bring a packed lunch and outdoor clothing
Full training will be given. As part of our volunteer team you will be included in wider volunteer training, celebration and gratitude events.
What will you get out of it?
A chance to learn:
• Survey skills
• About habitat management and conservation for wildlife
Opportunities to:
• Visit a wide range of urban and rural locations across the North East
• Work as a valued member of a professional team
• Improve communication skills
• Develop your CV
But above all, a chance to work out doors, get fit, meet new people, make friends and contribute to developing a landscape scale conservation project to prevent local extinction of water voles.
Volunteers should be 18 and over.
*Volunteers will be directed to register on Durham Wildlife Trust's volunteering portal (volunteer.durhamwt.com) before commencing volunteering.
