Site Checks and Maintenance Volunteer (Conservation Livestock Checkers)
Sherwood Forest and Budby South Forest Reserve attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors throughout the year. A Forest that is famous from myth and legend throughout the ages, the present-day Sherwood Forest hosts the largest concentration of ancient oak trees in Northern Europe; a key feature of what makes this National Nature Reserve such a special place.
Throughout the year we have a mixture of English Longhorn cattle and Hebridean sheep which graze the reserve, giving us a helping hoof in maintaining the forest to be the best National Nature Reserve it can be for both people and nature.
We are looking to recruit volunteers to join our team of Livestock Lookers who patrol the reserve with a keen eye, checking on the welfare of the animals which graze the reserve and the infrastructure that they require such as water troughs and livestock fences. There is no requirement to do any livestock handling it is a looking role.
As a Livestock Looker you will enjoy spending most of your time out walking the numerous trails of the wonderful forest and carrying out various tasks along the way, such as:
- Tracking down, counting, and checking the welfare of the livestock
- Checking for defects on site infrastructure such as water troughs, fences and reporting back to the reserves team
- Identifying and reporting on potential site hazards to the livestock
- Engaging positively with visitors
- Being an ambassador for the RSPB and the site
- Reporting back to the Reserves team/Duty Manager after each patrol
You will be required to attend a one day training course to carry out your role as a Livestock Looker.
Beneficial skills and attributes for this role include:
- Enjoying being outdoors
- An interest in conservation and the natural world
- A reasonable level of fitness
- Good communication skills
- Basic IT skills
- Ability to work independently
Becoming a Livestock Looker is a rewarding and enjoyable opportunity to make a real difference as part of a friendly team of staff and volunteers. This is a chance to use your skills and enjoyment of the outdoors for the benefit of the legendary Sherwood Forest, whilst also making a genuine contribution to wildlife conservation at Nottinghamshire's only National Nature Reserve.