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Website URL : http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3039&mode=0

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Countryside - volunteers

The County Council has a volunteer service to help look after the countryside in a variety of ways.

Countryside - volunteers

The County Council works with a team of more than 170 enthusiastic and dedicated countryside volunteers who help look after the countryside in a variety of ways.

Activities vary at different times of the year and may include the following:

Walking footpaths or riding bridleways to report on condition and obstructions;
Checking promoted walks;
Helping to repair gates and stiles;
Hedgelaying;
Clearing invasive non-native species such as rhododendron and Himalayan balsam to protect native plants and flowers;
Scrub clearance on limestone grassland to protect rare plants such as orchids;
Grass cutting on meadows to help wildflowers grow;
Scrub clearance on archaeological sites such as tumuli (ancient burial mounds) to stop them from being overgrown;
Helping the Howardian Hills AONB project in its work with schools and community groups; and
Inputting computer data.

No experience or qualifications are required as training is provided. For some of the tasks a reasonable level of fitness and a love of spending time outdoors would certainly help. Many tasks are carried out by groups of volunteers supported by Council staff, however some tasks are carried out by volunteers on their own, for example checking footpaths. If you would like to know more about the countryside volunteers please contact the volunteers co-ordinator.