Practical Conservation Group Volunteer (Leeds Wild Spaces)

Wild Spaces is a UK-wide programme run by Butterfly Conservation. The aim is to provide a simple and easy way for everyone to get involved in helping butterflies and moths.

A Wild Space is any space enhanced to help butterflies and moths thrive - including window boxes, pots on patios, wilder areas in gardens and wildflower meadows in churchyards and parks. They provide space for nature and places for people to access and enjoy.

This role is part of the Leeds Wild Spaces project, which is being run in partnership with Leeds City Council, Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire Branch and is funded from the Hiscox Foundation, Leeds Community Climate Grant & Peter Sowerby Foundation and a contribution from Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire Branch.

The project will create 8 new Wild Spaces across Council-owned parks / amenity areas across Leeds, with a focus on areas of green space deprivation and meadow creation and care.

You will enjoy physical work and have the chance to see the results of your efforts both on the day and in the following spring and summer when the butterflies and moths return. You don’t need to know anything about butterflies or moths to get started, but will have the chance to learn about them and other wildlife.

The practical work in this role will focus on meadow creation and management work such as plug plant planting, seed sowing and assisting with the annual management such as 'cut and collect'. https://www.plantlife.org.uk/learning-resource/managing-meadows/.

Training will be provided by the Project Officer and will include meadow management, species identification and surveying and tool use.