Horticultural Volunteer - Three Hagges Woodmeadow

About Plantlife

Plantlife is the global charity working to protect and restore wild plants and fungi - the foundation of all life on earth. With two in five plant species at risk of extinction, our work has never been more urgent. We work with people and organisations across the UK and beyond to inspire action and create lasting change for nature.

About the role

Species recovery plays an important part of Plantlife’s Strategy. As part of our efforts to protect rare species across the UK’s grassland habitat, we are looking for a volunteer who can help take care of these plants within our nursery at Three Hagges Woodmeadow, near York. The role will involve caring for the plants currently kept at Three Hagges Woodmeadow and propagating new species as they are required for ongoing work. The volunteer will have responsibility for maintaining records of provenance of seed sources and plants, and work delivered. There may also be opportunities to assist with activities in the field, such as in-situ pollination of orchid species. Helping the existing horticultural volunteer at Three Hagges Woodmeadow will also be part of this role. Initially this role would take half a day per week at the nursery, plus additional record keeping time; an additional one day per month. Three Hagges Woodmeadow has an existing volunteer day on Tuesday Mornings, but this role can be carried out at any time with sensible lone working procedures in place.

Location: York Road, Escrick, York, North Yorkshire, YO19 6EE OS: SE 628394 What Three Words location: ///isolated.nutty.compliant

Benefits of volunteering

You will be a valuable part of our Reserves Team and will have the support of a dedicated volunteer manager. Volunteer Manager: Andrew Kearsey, Reserves Manager (North and East), with support from Elizabeth Cooke (Botanical Specialist).

Opportunities to:

• Gain horticultural skills and propagation techniques for rare and threatened species, including orchid species.
• Learn about the management of seed provenance and record keeping.
• Learn new skills or build on existing ones, with guidance and support along the way.
• Develop your understanding of habitats, wild plants, fungi, and how we care for them.
• Spend time outdoors in a way that supports your wellbeing, at a pace that suits you.
• Be part of a friendly and welcoming group, with opportunities to connect with others.
• Take part in an induction, training, and optional development opportunities .
• Access Plantlife’s wider programme of member and volunteer events.

Key activities

• Propagation of seed and plant material.
• Ongoing management of existing plant stock.
• Production of seed and plants for ongoing species recovery work.
• In-situ pollination of orchids.
• Record keeping.
• Providing assistance where needed to the existing nursery volunteer.
• 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:

• Some level of horticultural experience would be useful, including care for plant stock but we will support you to build knowledge in this area.
• Ability and willingness to learn new skills and techniques.
• Some experience of record keeping would be useful, including using Microsoft Excel.
• Comfortable to work alone in the nursery when needed.
• 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 will be half to one day per week at Three Hagges Woodmeadow, plus an extra one day per month for updating records.

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.