Residential Peatland Restoration Volunteer
RSPB
Can you help us restore peatlands in the Cairngorms?
Abernethy National Nature Reserve sits within the Cairngorms National Park, covering approximately 135 square kilometres. A key member of the Cairngorms Connect partnership, its wild landscape embraces the montane plateau of two of the UK's highest peaks, moorland, bog, lochs and the largest single tract of Caledonian pine forest - a remnant of the once extensive forest that covered much of Highland Scotland. The reserve species record stands at over 4,500, and more are added every year. This intricate mix of habitats is home to many hundreds of rare and scarce species, including capercaillie, red squirrel, crested tits, Scottish crossbill, twinflower, green shield moss and tooth fungi.
Blanket bog and bog woodland are two of the most important habitats found at Abernethy and we are looking for an enthusiastic committed residential volunteer to join our peatland restoration team. We have around 1400ha of degraded peatland at Abernethy, which we are currently working to restore back to a more natural condition. This will help to ease further erosion, store carbon and increase biodiversity in these important habitats. So far we have completed around 200ha of restoration work but we still have a long way to go, which is where you come in! We are looking for help with all aspects of our fieldwork, baseline condition surveys and peat depth surveys for upcoming restoration projects. Our peatland restoration sites can be found high on the reserve (at around 700m) in one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland.
Tasks will include;
- Compiling peat depth surveys
- Ground truthing of digitally mapped data in the field
- Condition surveys of existing peatland restoration work
- Assisting with vegetation monitoring and HIA surveys
- Assisting with protected species surveys
- Opportunities for practical reserve work with the wider Abernethy team
- Assisting with running peatland restoration volunteer days
Requirements
This is a predominantly a field-based role which will include a large proportion of work in remote and exposed environments. Applicants should have a good level of physical fitness and be confident working outdoors and on uneven boggy ground. A keen interest in conservation and peatland, the ability to work as part of a team and enthusiasm are essential. A full manual driving licence is essential for driving RSPB vehicles on the reserve, although specialist 4x4 training will be provided.
We will provide you with a broad range of training opportunities such as certified courses in 4x4 driving, hill skills and first aid, as well as more informal training around peatland restoration, bog plant ID and monitoring and survey skills. This placement will provide opportunities for you to gain skills, knowledge and experience. The minimum age requirement for the role is 18.
Self catering accommodation will be provided on the reserve. You will have your own room with shared kitchen, living room and bathroom facilities. This is a six month role from March until August.
How to apply:
Applications will be short-listed and will be invited for a chat with the team either in person or via Microsoft Teams on the w/b 2nd March with the aim of the successful applicant starting at the reserve in mid- to late March 2026. Please apply by 23rd February 2026
For further information contact: Sally Berry (Peatland Project Manager – Abernethy) Email: [email protected]
About RSPB
The RSPB is a charity for the conservation of birds and nature. We bring people together who love birds and other wildlife, and who want to take action to restore the health and diversity of the natural world. We carry out conservation on a large scale, protect and restore habitats, and save species from extinction. We’re living in a nature and climate emergency, and we won’t stop whilst the threats persist.
We believe our work makes a real difference to the world we live in. It takes a great team to
save nature and we need a wide range of skills to make it happen.
As an RSPB employee, you will be helping to save nature every time you come to work. There’s never been a more important time to protect our wildlife and wild places, so we want to make sure you feel rewarded for everything you help us to achieve.
The RSPB is a charity for the conservation of birds and nature. We bring people together who love birds and other wildlife, and who want to take action to restore the health and diversity of the natural world. We carry out conservation on a large scale, protect and restore habitats, and save species from extinction. We’re living in a nature and climate emergency, and we won’t stop whilst the threats persist. We believe our work makes a real difference to the world we live in. It takes a great team to save nature and we need a wide range of skills to make it happen. As an RSPB employee, you will be helping to save nature every time you come to work. There’s never been a more important time to protect our wildlife and wild places, so we want to make sure you feel rewarded for everything you help us to achieve.
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