Volunteer Groups in the Colne Valley Regional Park
There are many different volunteer groups in the Colne Valley Regional Park. They all work towards the same objective; to protect and enhance the local environment. If you are looking to join a local volunteer group, or want to donate to a volunteer group local to you, you have come to the right place.
Why volunteer? Volunteering can help you gain valuable new skills, along with giving you a chance to meet other people with similar interests and make an difference to your local community. Volunteering has also been proved to boost peoples mental health.
Below you will find volunteer groups that regularly organise volunteer sessions or events. We have split them into 3 areas, to make it easier for you to find your local volunteer group.
North of the Colne Valley Regional Park; covering areas such as: Rickmansworth, Maple Cross, Chalfont’s and Ruislip
Heart of the Colne Valley Regional Park covering areas such as: Denham, Black Park. Langley Park and Iver
South of the Colne Valley Regional Park covering areas such as: Wraysbury, Colnbrook, Harmondsworth and Stanwell Moor
Are you representing a volunteer group in the Colne Valley Regional Park but not on the list below? Don’t hesitate to contact us on [email protected] and if you meet one of our objectives, we would be more than happy to add you on to this list.
North of the Colne Valley Regional Park
covering areas such as: Maple Cross, Chalfont’s, Ruslip and parts of Rickmansworth,
The Society’s volunteers have worked continuously to improve the reserve in accordance with a regularly updated Management Plan. The Society depends on its volunteers. Without the time and effort put in by all our volunteers there would be no reserve. So any members wanting to volunteer are always welcome. Find out here how to get involved.
Friends of Stocker’s Lake (FoSL), a registered charity, which exists to :
- conserve, safeguard and enhance Stocker’s Lake as a Local Nature Reserve
- foster public support for, and appreciation of, Stocker’s Lake as a local nature reserve
Check their website here to find out how to get involved.
The Friends of Ruislip Woods is run by the Ruislip Woods Trust, a charity which aims to develop the educational, monitoring and survey aspects of the woods– all designed to ensure that the local community and users of the woods know about the Woods, understand what changes are occurring (both natural and man-made) and provide accurate information to preserve the quality of the habitat. Join the Friends here.
The Society brings likeminded people together to share their knowledge and recording of local wildlife. The aim of the Ruislip and District Natural History Society is to foster an interest in all aspects of natural history from the local area and beyond. Check out their Facebook page to find out more.
The Society exists to promote the study of the natural history of Hillingdon and record its findings. HNHS manages Harefield Place Nature Reserve in Uxbridge by the Golf Course. The reserve is situated between Harvil Road and the lakes by the Grand Union Canal, and has borders with the golf course, Denham Country Park and the Concrete Batching Plant (see map page). In March 2001 it became part of the Frays Valley Local Nature Reserve (LNR). Find out here how to sign up as a member.
Community is at the heart of all they do at Woodoaks Farm and volunteers make up an essential local network of energy, ideas & resource. Whether you’re an individual, school or business, they would love you to join their volunteer team in creating a welcoming and nature friendly farm that benefits all. Find out more on their website here.
A Heritage Education Charity bringing together people from across our community with a love for the canals around Rickmansworth. They present education programmes, maintain a historic canal boat, organise the Rickmansworth Festival, run a shop and informtion centre, run short boat rides and longer charters, and provide a pleasant visit to Batchworth Lock. Find out more here how you can support them.
Heart of the Colne Valley Regional Park
covering areas such as: Denham, Black Park, Langley Park and Iver
Iver Environment Centre are looking for people who might not be able to commit to regular volunteering, but instead can offer a day or two of their time to spend a day outdoors to do some gardening, maintenance and grounds work. They will be running these days monthly to help keep the grounds and gardens of the centre looking great. Find out more here.
Iver&District Countryside Association
The Iver&District Countryside Association is a local group of the Friends of the Colne Valley Park. The work they carry out are:
Carry out footpath clearance and conservation work, promote new rights-of-way, lobby to keep and improve Iver’s countryside, support the Friends of the Colne Valley Park. All are welcome – Contact Paul Graham 01753 655183 or [email protected]
Hillingdon Litter Pickers hold regular litter picking events around Hillingdon and have adopted a patch in the Colne Valley. They have done some an amazing improvements in the Colne Valley and have helped transform the Uxbridge galleries area underneath the A40 (an important route connecting local people to their countryside in the East of the Park). To find out more check their Facebook page here.
Join the River Rangers volunteer team and help to survey and champion our local watercourses. Volunteers will record vital information on the health of the river system and assess various threats facing it. There are a wide range of different opportunities for anyone who would like to volunteer – including monitoring river health, litter picking, and general community engagement. Find out more here.
Colne Valley Green Team
Do you live local to Denham Woods? The Colne Valley Green Team is looking for local residents and visitors acting as our ‘eyes and ears’ on the ground and report any issues or wildlife sightings to them. The team also organises a monthly conservation volunteer sessions in the woods. Why not join them for some fresh air, hard work and good company and help make a positive impact on this precious green space. Email [email protected] to find out more.
Friends of Frays River people are a group of people who to join together to improve the Frays River on their doorstep. Find out more on their Facebook page here.
As part of the Colne Valley Landscape Partnership Scheme, we are looking for local residents to help look after the grazing cattle at Stanwell Moor (Staines), Misbourne Meadow (Denham Country Park), Poors Field (Ruislip Woods), Ickenham Marsh (Ruislip), and Frays Farm Meadow. By simply going about your usual walk, you can play a vital role in keeping cattle happy and healthy whilst they graze our conservation sites. As a volunteer you can choose how much time you give. Find out more here.
South of the Colne Valley Regional Park
covering areas such as: Wraysbury, Colnbrook, Harmondsworth and Stanwell Moor
Spelthorne Natural History Society aims to promote an interest in the natural world, inform and generally raise awareness of all forms of wildlife, especially those sharing our local environment and to advise, monitor and undertake tasks locally which relate to increasing biodiversity and nature conservation. Their aim is also to study and record wild animals, birds, insects, plants and fungus within the local area. Why not come and listen to a lecture or join us on a walk? Join their membership here.
Rescued by English Heritage after years of neglect, this Grade I listed barn ranks alongside the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey for its exceptional architectural and historic interest. It was dubbed the “Cathedral of Middlesex” by Sir John Betjeman.
The barn is an English Heritage site see here for directions, opening times and history.
