Heart of England Forest
Description of the role
Join us at Eastern Hill, Astwood Bank, as we create beautiful broad woodland across this site. Throughout March we have 15,000 trees to plant, plenty to get stuck in with!
Tree planting is a vital activity to help combat climate change and contributes to the woodland and hedgerow habitats within the Heart of England Forest. Successful tree planting prioritises the right tree in the right place.
You can find out more about tree planting and see exactly what’s involved here:
https://heartofenglandforest.org/volunteer-activity-tree-planting
What to Bring and Wear: Please bring work gloves, drinking water, and any food you may need. Wear weather appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear. Safety boots are strongly recommended, please contact us if you need to borrow a pair.
Facilities and Support: Portaloo toilets are available. All tools and equipment will be provided. Tea and coffee will be provided with a mid-activity break.
We are looking for anyone who is able to come along and help, the sit maybe challenging for people with reduced mobility as it’s very hilly uneven terrain.
Practical Considerations
Work site:
- The distance to the work site varies, typically between a few minutes and up to a 15 minute walk from the parking area. Work sites are often uneven under foot, and may be slippery in wet conditions.
- During wet weather where works vehicles cannot access the site, volunteers may need to transport spades and bags of saplings to the work site by hand, or using a small trolley.
- Activity requirements:
- Tree planting involves tasks of varying intensity, from digging holes to sorting saplings and placing tree guards.
- The activity is repetitive and can be physically demanding, particularly in cold and wet weather. Despite the challenges, tree planting is highly rewarding.
Hand tool use:
- Volunteers use basic tools such as spades. Some equipment may be heavy or cumbersome, volunteers will only use equipment they feel comfortable to use.
Personal Protective Equipment:
- Gloves, thermal or waterproof gloves are recommended, and safety boots or wellies with a reinforced toecap and sole are strongly reccomended for this activity. Basic gloves and pairs of safety boots can be borrowed by volunteers who do not own any.
Any specific requirements
- Must be 16 or over.
Where is the opportunity based?
Nearest Address to the area is: Astwood Bank Cricket Club, Sambourne Ln, Redditch B96 6PJ
When is the opportunity available?
The opportunity can take usually Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
About the organisation
The Heart of England Forest is an exciting and ambitious charity. We want to help reverse centuries of woodland decline and create and conserve a magnificent 30,000 acre broadleaf forest for the benefit of the environment, wildlife and people. A place of enduring natural beauty, protected and secured for generations to come.
The Forest is more than just trees; it is home to an incredible array of habitats, including new tree planting, mature and ancient woodland, grassland, heathland, farmland, and wetland, that enable animals, plants, and people to thrive.
Our amazing volunteers help us with all aspects of creating and managing the Forest:
Forestry and biodiversity – help to create and manage our woodlands across the Forest, as well as improve and maintain habitat for our wildlife.
Horticultural and gardening – volunteer in our tree nurseries, helping to grow future generations of Forest trees from seed, or help to maintain our beautiful Garden of Heroes and Villains.
People and learning – support our work to maintain the Forest for our visitors and to connect people with nature via our events and education programmes.
Bromsgrove and Redditch Network 