Woodland Trust seeks volunteer speakers with woodland know-how

The conservation charity is seeking eloquent individuals who share a passion for woodland, especially ancient woodland – one of our most precious habitats and home to hundreds of rare or threatened species of wildlife.    

This UK-wide project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, could see the restoration of 52,000 hectares of damaged ancient woodland.  This involves the gradual removal of conifers, allowing a greater amount of light to penetrate the woodland canopy and encouraging specialist species to recover.

The five-year project is active on the ground next year and will see the restoration of woodland across 10 priority areas, including Northern Ireland. The Trust plans to work with over 1,000 landowners throughout the UK, offering advice and training to help them restore ancient woods planted with conifers to their natural broadleaved state.

Karen Fisher, the Trust’s Volunteer Speakers Officer, said: “We are keen to enlist the support of volunteer speakers across Northern Ireland.  We’re ideally after individuals who have experience of public speaking and presenting, and who have a real interest in woodland and conservation.  We want people who are keen to learn more about ancient woodland restoration and who will, in turn, take that knowledge and share it with the wider community.  By delivering talks to interested groups, our speakers will help showcase this special project.”  

An initial one-day training course will be held in Belfast on 28 November.  There will be further skills development opportunities and on-going support from a volunteer manager.  To find out more call 08452 935 752, email [email protected] or visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/volunteering