Current volunteering opportunities
Please see below for our current opportunities. If you'd like further information on any of our volunteer roles, please contact: volunteers@northyorkmoors.org.uk stating the role title.
Wildfire Surveyor Volunteer
A unique opportunity to be part of a research project investigating wildfire risk in the North York Moors alongside a University of Birmingham Researcher!
We are looking for volunteers to take part in a sampling campaign to measure fuel (vegetation) moisture content across the North York Moors. You will collect clippings of live and dead heather layers and the underlying moss, litter and duff at targeted sites during periods of interest for wildfire danger (warm, dry days, which is coincidentally lovely weather to be out on the moors!).
This role is critical for collecting the data that will answer research questions relating to wildfire danger and behaviour in the North York Moors and beyond to the UK as a whole. Our Researcher is interested in determining if it is important to account for the variation in fuel moisture content as you move across a landscape (what we will be sampling) when developing fire danger rating systems. This is very timely, as there is ongoing research to develop a UK-wide fire danger rating system, and the measurements we take would help inform these developments. The data will also help us to understand (and in turn predict) wildfire behaviour in UK temperate fuels.
As well as contributing to an important research area, there are opportunities to learn new skills to understand wildfire risk and measure fuel moisture—all training will be provided prior to commencement. Volunteers must have their own transport as most will be lone working on different estates across the North York Moors. The minimum time commitment is two sampling days (4–5 hours) in summer, though if there is capacity and interest in this research, we may collect samples on a monthly basis.
Linking Landscapes - Grassland Surveyor Role
Species Rich Grassland is an extremely important habitat in the North York Moors National Park supporting a wide range of pollinators which in turn help safeguard declining birds such as Swifts and Swallows. Sadly 97% of wildflower meadows in Britain have been lost since 1937. The North York Moors National Park Authority is dedicated to protecting remaining traditional hay meadows in the North York Moors through our Linking Landscapes Project, now in its eighth year, by setting up Land Management Agreements with landowners- this ensures this special habitat is protected, monitored and enhanced.
Botanical monitoring of these sites is a key tool in ensuring that management is having a positive effect on the grassland. Last year 34 grassland sites were surveyed as part of the Linking Landscapes project with 20 sites surveyed by volunteers.
If safeguarding our wonderful hay meadows is something that you would like to get involved in, then we are due to hold our annual workshop for staff and volunteers on Wednesday 16 June in a traditional hay meadow. There will be a chance to practice ID skills and understand the survey methodology.
Please contact Rachael Poole on volunteers@northyorkmoors.org.uk or Tel
Kiosk volunteers needed for Helmsley Walled Garden
We have lots of flexible options for volunteers to help with garden entry, sell plants and items from our shop and generally chat to and welcome our lovely visitors. Kiosk sessions are from 10am until 1pm or 1pm until 4.30pm Wednesday to Sunday. We welcome those who would like to do a regular slot or just be on call when needed – we have a great kiosk team but need just a bit more cover at this busy garden. Anyone who might be interested please email garden manager, June Tainsh june@helmsleywalledgarden.org.uk