Waxcap Watch Audience Research Volunteer

About Plantlife

Plantlife is the global charity working to enhance, protect, restore and celebrate the wild plants and fungi that are essential to all life on earth. With two in five plant species at risk of extinction, biodiversity loss is now the fastest it’s ever been and Plantlife’s work has never been more vital. Plantlife champions and accelerates conservation action, working at the heart of a global network of individuals and organisations, to influence and inspire landowners and land managers, public and private bodies, governments and local communities. As time begins to run out, Plantlife’s position as the global voice for wild plants and fungi will help to bring lasting and positive change to our natural world – for everyone’s sake.

About the role

Waxcap Watch is a citizen science project that is now in its 7th year and is going from strength to strength. More volunteers than ever went out into grassy places last year to look for, and record waxcaps. This helps us and other conservation organisations to know where previously unknown patches of ancient grassland are, as well as some rare species of fungi.

This year, we want to encourage and support people who lead groups, to get involved with Waxcap Watch. We are providing a range of resources and training opportunities to group leaders so that the survey and reach more, and a wider range of people.

We are looking for a volunteer who will research groups that might find Waxcap Watch interesting, so that we can send information out to them.

Depending on your interests, there may be opportunity to get more involved with promoting the scheme by sending and answering emails, and through social media.

Note - In line with GDPR best practice, volunteers who we offer the opportunity to, will be asked to provide details of two suitable referees. Please ensure you have known referees for more than 6 months and they are not a partner, close relative, or Plantlife employee. Former or current work colleagues, friends, and neighbours that have known you for more than 6 months are some examples that would be fine.

Location: This is a home-based role. You will need access to the internet and a laptop or similar in order to do the research.

Benefits

You will be a valuable part of our Science and Learning Team and will have the support of a dedicated volunteer manager.

Volunteer Manager: Aileen Baird, Senior Conservation Officer - Fungi

Opportunities to gain experience and skills in:

• Research and communication
• You will be able to develop your knowledge of conservation of wild plants, lichens and fungi.
• As a volunteer you will have the opportunity to take part in training and development opportunities as well as our programme of member and volunteer events.

Key activities

• Researching organisations who might be interested in Waxcap Watch and compiling a database of contacts.
• If you are interested in widening the role, you will be able to send emails to contacts, respond to enquiries, and collaborate with other Waxcap Watch volunteers to develop social media posts relating to the scheme.
• Liaising with your volunteer manager regularly by phone and email to update them on your progress and discuss tasks.
• Completing a Plantlife online induction prior to starting your volunteering.
• Keeping a note of your volunteer hours and reporting them to your volunteer manager monthly.
• Attending training and development as necessary relevant to your volunteer task / role.
• Adherence to the Plantlife volunteer agreement, policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Skills / experience / interests required for the role:

• Internet research skills e.g. able to use Google or other search engines
• Basic use of Excel, or willingness to learn.
• Interest in and natural enthusiasm for conservation, wild plants, and fungi, and an affinity with the aims of Plantlife.

Time commitment

The time commitment for this role is flexible. We would like volunteers to provide approximately 5 days between April and June in a way that suits the volunteer.

Expenses

Travel is not expected for this role, however expenses will be reimbursed for any travel we ask you to do based on public transport cost or mileage at Plantlife standard rates for volunteers. Expenses must be agreed in advance with your volunteer manager.