Residential on Reserve (More than 4 weeks) (RSPB Saltholme - Residential Conservation Volunteer)

Duration six months - Starting June 2026 and ending November 2026.

Why We Want You

We are looking for enthusiastic residential volunteers to join our friendly reserve team. You will be volunteering at the North East's flagship reserve helping key species such as common tern, avocet, sand martin, bearded tit, bittern and many more. As a residential volunteer, you will undertake all aspects of practical habitat management, survey and monitoring, estate management and species protection - depending on the time of the year, and will be able to develop essential skills and provide the experience necessary for a successful career in wildlife conservation.

What’s In It For You

Residential Volunteers at Saltholme become fully fledged team members, working alongside staff and other passionate volunteers. You will gain first-hand experience of the daily operation of a wetland reserve through a diverse range of activities including tern island management, wet grassland and reedbed management and maintaining dragonfly ponds. You will be given appropriate training and have the chance to develop the necessary skills required to start a career in conservation. This will include habitat management techniques, experience in species monitoring, estate management and leading volunteer work parties.

You will also gain first-hand knowledge of the workings of Europe's largest conservation charity whilst working at one of Northern England's most important nature reserves.

Nestled in the Tees Valley, surrounded by many industrial neighbours, Saltholme offers a dramatic landscape and stunning wildlife. In the summer, hundreds of pairs of black-headed gulls and common terns breed on cockleshell islands whilst scores of ground-nesting waders, including lapwing, avocet and redshank, breed on the surrounding wet grasslands. In winter, thousands of wildfowl gather to feed and roost around the reserve's water bodies. With dynamic habitats such as reedbeds, wet grassland, open pools and scrapes, Saltholme attracts a huge variety of wildlife.

Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old, with a full clean driving licence. You should be enthusiastic and have the ability to live and work as part of a close-knit team. An interest in wildlife, the environment and its conservation is essential. Tasks to be undertaken depend on the time of year and you should be prepared to undertake strenuous manual labour outside in all weathers. A degree of flexibility is required, and weekend working on a rota will be necessary, with time off in lieu given during the week.

Notes

This is a fantastic opportunity to be supported and develop your existing skills. If you are looking for a career in environmental conservation this is a great place to start. All appropriate training is given and free accommodation (including bills) is provided in the form of a spacious first floor flat with open views of the sea. The flat is close to the reserve in the nearby seaside town of Seaton Carew with a less than ten-minute drive or short bus ride away.