Volunteering with the Chase & Chalke Landscape Partnership
Volunteers are a key part of our work here at the Chase & Chalke Landscape Partnership Scheme and there will be many varied opportunities to get involved. Our projects span a wide variety of interests, and all of them need enthusiastic volunteers to help ensure their success. Whether you’re interested in nature, wildlife, history, archaeology, creative arts or just getting out and about, there’s a project for you!
Our volunteering efforts are starting up again, and we’ll be opening more roles over the coming weeks and months. We’ll be offering volunteer training too, so check out our list of opportunities below. Remember – you can volunteer on a regular basis, or for specific events – whatever works for you! We appreciate every second you give to help support what we do.
How to Register as a Volunteer
To get involved, you’ll need to sign up on our fantastic Chase & Chalke Volunteering Hub. You’ll be able to update and manage your volunteer profile, browse our volunteering and training opportunities, and see how you can get involved with projects. Click the button below to get started!
If you’ve already registered as a volunteer and have a login and password you can sign in here
If you’re having trouble accessing the hub, you can scan the QR code below and it will take you straight there.
Should you have any queries please drop an email to: chaseandchalke@cranbornechase.org.uk
Your Landscape, Through Your Eyes
Share your photographs, drawings and paintings,
Help us to celebrate the Chase & Chalke Landscape Partnership area by sharing your photographs, drawings and paintings of the area with us. Whether these are photos of people, wildlife or your favourite views of the landscape, or whether they are your drawings and paintings of places that inspire you we’d love to see the landscape through your eyes. Your photos and other creations will be displayed on our Photo Gallery, website and may also be displayed on our social media platforms.
You can upload your creations here
Please remember to follow the countryside code when walking through the countryside, keep dogs on short leads and be careful not to trespass into privately owned land.
Some of our Volunteering Opportunities
Join Our Route Checkers Team
Do you enjoy being outdoors exploring landscapes, history or wildlife? Are you a keen walker or cyclist? Do you have an eye for detail? If so you could join our Route Checkers Team.
We are looking for volunteers to help design new walking routes and check existing routes across our Rights of Way network in order help more people to get out there and enjoy the landscape, connecting with its nature, history and culture. As a Route Checker you will get free training on working alone outdoors, as well as guidance on use of appropriate apps if required.
As part of the Route Checkers Team you can design new routes, check that existing routes are fit for purpose and accurate, as well as reporting any issues such as broken stiles, overgrown vegetation or damaged signs. We will then mobilise our growing Practical Conservation Team of volunteers to resolve the issue.
By keeping our Rights of Way network accessible and enjoyable we’ll be helping more people have a safe walking experience, enjoying the outdoors, breathing the fresh air and soaking up much needed Vitamin D. There are so many real health benefits of being outdoors that we’re missing out on when we’re confined to our homes and offices so join the Route Checkers Team today and let’s get outdoors.
Cycle Route Checkers
You can also join in by bike too – we are looking for volunteers to check existing, and create new, cycling routes across Cranborne Chase using bridleways and quiet roads.
To find out more about how you can sign up as a volunteer Route Checker or Cycle Route Checker please contact us at chaseandchalke@cranbornechase.org.uk
Click the link below to view the Route Checker / Cycle Route Checker Role Descriptions.
Become a Dark Sky Custodian
We’re seeking enthusiastic volunteers to become Dark Sky Custodians to help secure and promote our dark night skies.
Volunteers will learn about the multiple benefits of dark skies; benefits to human health, well-being, wildlife, saving money and carbon by reducing unnecessary lighting, better targeted lighting for security purposes and the amazing wonder, enjoyment and learning that comes from a better understanding of our amazing nightscape.
As a Dark Sky Custodians we’ll provide training in how to take Sky Quality Measurements to record and measure light pollution. You’ll also gain knowledge and skills to enable you to lead stargazing events and understand how to monitor your local dark sky, so you can discover more about the constellations and inspire others through stargazing events.
So if you enjoy learning, are fascinated by our night sky and would like to help others understand how to help protect our dark skies we need your help.
Contact us at chaseandchalke@cranbornechase.org.uk to find out more about how you can volunteer and become one of our Dark Sky Custodians.
Click the link below to view the Dark Sky Custodian Role Description.
Become a Practical Conservation Volunteer
If you enjoy being out and about in the landscape then why not join our Practical Conservation Team?
We are looking for enthusiastic and hard-working volunteers to undertake rewarding practical conservation tasks across the Chase & Chalke area. Practical conservation forms part of our Crystal Clear Ebble, Ancient Ways, Nurturing Nature, Greater Grazing and Champions of the Past projects.
We will be arranging practical conservation days, working in small groups to undertake a wide range of tasks all across our Chase & Chalke area. Tasks will vary through the year depending on the season and will include activities such as:
- habitat management
- tree planting
- coppicing
- hedge laying
- maintaining public rights of way
Working outdoors does wonders for our health and well-being, so why not join us? You’ll learn new skills, meet new people, feel fitter and together we will help protect and conserve our beautiful landscape and nurture our wild life.
If you’re interested why not contact us at chaseandchalke@cranbornechase.org.uk to find out more about how you can volunteer in our practical conservation work.
Click the link below to view the Practical Conservation Volunteer Role Description.
Become a River Warden
Do you have a passion for your chalk river? Would you like to learn more about wildlife, your river and how to protect it? As a volunteer River Warden for the Ebble you can be our eyes and ears on the ground. Or should we say on the water.
As a River Warden you will receive full training and will act as a steward of the river, playing a key monitoring role and encouraging continued commitment from landowners and communities to the quality of the river. You’ll record and submit wildlife sightings, report any potential problems, monitor river features, pollution incidents and act as a point of contact for local parishes and communities, raising awareness about river issues.
This opportunity is great as its flexible and perfect for those with less time to commit to regular volunteering events and work parties. Join our River Warden Team by contacting us at chaseandchalke@cranbornechase.org.uk and find out more about how you can make a difference to our Crystal Clear Ebble.
Click the link below to view the River Warden Role Description.