Dartmoor National Park Authority
Volunteering
Voluntary Wardens
Our present Voluntary Warden scheme was set up in 1996 and is managed by the Ranger Service. Currently there are 40, generally locally based, Wardens who are assigned to a Sector Ranger.
They assist the Rangers with their duties and provide an extra element of liaison with the community in the area to which they are assigned. They advise and assist visitors to the National Park, help promote quiet enjoyment and understanding of Dartmoor’s special qualities and carry out occasional practical projects. Their work is often specific to the requirements of their particular Sector.
The coordination of the scheme is delegated to one of our Senior Rangers who organises training courses, the Annual Voluntary Warden Meeting and social events.
The Voluntary Warden scheme is currently fully staffed and vacancies are normally advertised in local parish newsletters.
If you would like any further information about the service then please contact Andrew Watson (awatson@dartmoor-npa.gov.uk)
Volunteers
In common with most countryside services throughout the country the use of volunteers to complete practical conservation tasks is very important and is the only way that we can manage certain sites and keep on top of the ever increasing maintenance work! Its also a great opportunity for anyone to put something back into an area they love and respect.
Dartmoor National Park took the decision, back in the early 1990s, not to set up its own volunteer service but to actively support a variety of groups who achieve conservation land management objectives with the help of volunteers. These groups are generally allied to particular community/area or to specific organisations active within the National Park.
If you are interested in supporting practical conservation tasks on Dartmoor then information about the work they do and contact details for some of these groups can be found by following the links below or on the left hand menu.
If you are really keen you could probably fill every day of the week by volunteering for all of these groups!
Practical work is also undertaken by a host of other volunteer groups including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Service Scheme (contact Ranger Service Administrator); The Princes Trust (external link, opens new window); BTCV (external link, opens new window), the South West Lakes Trust (external link, opens new window), visiting schools and colleges(contact Education Service), Army Cadet and Scout groups and occasionally by private companies organising team building exercises!
The Ranger Service occasionally organises practical work days for anyone to join in with so watch this space for details
Page updated 29 June 2010