To celebrate National Volunteer Week, which runs from 1 to 7 June, North Yorkshire County Council is inviting people to find out more about voluntary work to benefit the environment.
Countryside volunteering is for anyone who wants to help to maintain access to the countryside and support nature conservation. Tasks include inspections, surveys and low-level maintenance of public rights of way. There is also an opportunity to join the North Yorkshire Rotters, who advise people on how to reduce waste and save money through composting.
Ian Fielding, Assistant Director for Transport, Waste and Countryside Services, said: “We have countryside volunteers spread around the county, but we are keen to hear from anyone interested in joining them. The activity includes reporting and photographing problems, doing minor maintenance, such as cutting back overgrowth around signs, and once or twice a year helping with large scale surveys of paths. Tasks can be done at a time to suit the volunteers, including weekends.
“The Rotters are volunteers from all over North Yorkshire and York who offer advice to people who would like to reduce waste and save money through home composting. If you enjoy meeting people and like attending shows, events, talks and demonstrations, we can provide the training and you can choose which events you’d like to attend.”
To tie in with National Volunteer Week, several events are being held at which people can find out more about joining the Rotters. These are:
- Easingwold market, Easingwold Market Place, Friday 2 June, 8.30am-2pm.
- North Yorkshire County Show, Camp Hill Estate, Kirklington, Bedale, Sunday 18 June, 8.30am-5pm.
- Wildlife Day 2017, Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens, Stewart Lane, Stillingfleet, York, Sunday 18 June, 11am-4pm
- Homegrown Food Festival, Applegarth playing fields, Northallerton, Sunday 25 June, 10am-5pm.
To find out more about joining the countryside volunteers, call 01609 532435 or email countryside.volunteers@northyorks.gov.uk. To find out more about joining the Rotters, call 01609 797212 or email nyrotters@northyorks.gov.uk.