Opportunity to volunteer as a countryside ranger
Opportunities to train as a voluntary countryside ranger to support the Broads Authority’s work in the river valleys of the Broads have become available this month.
The Broads Authority is expanding its assistant countryside ranger team which is trained to carry out a variety of valuable recreation and conservation work in the Broads.
Nick Sanderson, Head Countryside Ranger said: “Volunteers are highly valued members of the Broads Authority as they are out there doing a vast amount of incredibly important work for us and support everything we do. They are the eyes and ears of the Broads. Although they’re voluntary we work with them like colleagues and they quickly become friends.”
The backbone of the work is helping to maintain and improve rights of way and recreational sites and be a point of information for the public. But there are many more opportunities for getting involved in all kinds of work such as construction, footpath surveying, wildlife monitoring, leading guided walks, wherry crewing, working with school children and helping at Broads Authority events. ACRs are particularly being recruited for the Bure, Yare and Waveney Valleys, and may be site based or operate over a wider area.
ACRs are issued with a uniform and take part in six days of training. Some expenses are paid. Initially they work in pairs or small groups with existing volunteers. There are opportunities to work at weekends or mid-week. Volunteers are expected to make a regular commitment, which in the case of weekend working needs to be a minimum of two days a month.
“The work will appeal to outdoor, nature loving, sociable people, who enjoy physical exercise,” said Nick. “ It’s a great chance to see parts of the Broads you haven’t seen before because you will be taken to work in places off the beaten track. There is a great social side too, as we have regular get togethers like a summer barbecue, a Christmas get together and a canoeing day.”
Assistant countryside rangers must be over 18 years, physically fit and have a driving licence. There are currently 40 ACRs in the Broads Authority team who range from students to the early retired and come from all walks of life.
The experience can lead to careers within the environmental field and several ACRs now work for the Broads Authority while some have gone on to get jobs with other organisations.
“We are looking for people to give a regular commitment and once they are trained we would like them to stay for at least a year,” said Nick. “The deeper they get into the scheme the more complex and varied the work becomes.”
If you are interested ring the Volunteer Coordinator on 01692 677020 or email maggie.engledow@broads-authority.gov.uk for an application pack which must be returned by 24 February. You can also apply online - Get Involved. Interviews will be held in the following week by arrangement and the successful applicants will be invited to an induction day on 8 March.
06/02/2008
