Project Officer - Woodlands

Purpose: To deliver Lune Rivers Trust’s riparian woodland creation programme, currently consisting of projects funded by United Utilities and the Environment Agency. To develop future riparian woodland creation projects.
Reports to: Trust Manager
Location: Hybrid. Working from home and from LRT’s office near Kirkby Lonsdale, with the general aim to be working from the office 2-3 days per week. Frequent site work will be required at locations across LRT’s operational area.
Hours: Full-time 37.5 hours per week. Flexible working hours.
Contract: 12 month fixed term contract (with potential to extend)

The Lune Rivers Trust is a small but ambitious environmental charity dedicated to the protection and enhancement of all the rivers and tributaries in the Lune catchment. We cover a large area, from Tebay in the north, to Ingleton in the east and Pilling in the south.

We have recently secured funding from the Environment Agency and United Utilities to support our riparian woodland creation work. In particular the funding from the Environment Agency is to enable us to take a more prominent role in collaborating with partners to achieve a strategic, prioritised approach to riparian woodland creation in the Lune catchment. This will entail us having a staff member dedicated to woodland creation. We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic person to join our team to deliver our woodland creation programme.

This is an entry level role and would suit someone recently graduated or wanting to enter the environmental charity sector from another type of work. Previous experience in developing and implementing woodland projects would be a big asset, but is not essential. However, an interest in forestry or woodland creation is essential. The role will involve a lot of ‘on-the-job’ learning during the first year in order to fully understand the funding mechanisms available for woodland creation, and how to access them. The role will entail a lot of 1-to-1 work with farmers/ landowners in order to understand their farm businesses and how woodland creation could be part of this.

We operate a flexible working hours/ Time Owed in Lieu system. We also work a mixture of based from home, based from our office near Kirkby Lonsdale, and on site across our catchment. Arrangements are reasonably flexible, with the general aim to be in the office 2-3 days per week.

We envisage this to be a full-time role. However, we are open to considering whether this role could be carried out on a part-time basis. If part-time, it would need to be a minimum of 50%-60% (i.e. 2 ½ - 3 days per week). If you would like to explore this possibility, please mention it in your application.

Duties and Responsibilities

Riparian Woodlands Creation

• To act as LRT’s focal point for riparian woodland creation.
• Develop a prioritisation mapping of where riparian woodland creation would have the most impact in terms of multiple environmental benefits.
• Based on this prioritisation, develop new woodland creation projects, including contacting, visiting and working with Landowners.
• Work closely with LRT’s other staff members to identify riparian woodland creation opportunities in LRT’s operational area.
• Understand and keep up to date on agri-environmental schemes or other funding mechanisms that support creation of riparian woodlands. Understand the benefits and drawbacks of each funding mechanism, especially in relation to income generation potential for farmers.

Person Description

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate that they are exceptionally self-motivated and are passionate about improving the environment and working with farmers and landowners. They must also be a good communicator and enthusiastic about continuing to develop their knowledge and skills.

Essential

• Interest in and understanding of forestry/farming practices.
• Degree level or equivalent qualification in forestry/agriculture/land management or relevant environmental topic.
• Proven experience in forestry/agriculture/ land management will be considered in lieu of a formal qualification.

Desirable

• Knowledge of agri-environment schemes, including related to woodland creation.
• Experience in woodland creation.
• Lives in, or is relocating to, the Lune catchment.

If you would like more information or an informal chat about the post, please contact Tim Pitt (Trust Manager) on 079 49 24 26 55 or [email protected] before the 13th June. Please note that Tim is on leave from the 13th June until the closing date, so will be unable to respond to requests for information during this period.

Closing date for applications: Midnight on Sunday 28th June 2026.