Devon Wildlife Trust has a vision for a Devon that is rich in wildlife, where people enjoy and care about the natural world and take steps to safeguard it for the future.

Local Groups are a key part of supporting this vision on a local level, organising a range of activities focussed in their area. Currently Local Groups organise talks, walks, fundraising and produce regular newsletters. They are open to any relevant activities that support DWT’s activities and showcase nature.

There are five Local Groups:

• Barnstaple
• Bovey Tracey
• Exeter
• Exmouth
• Halsdon and Dolton

You could get involved in helping the Local Group with any aspect of organising and delivering their activities. The kind of things they often need help with include:

• Suggestions for a local activity/event for the group
• Publicising the event e.g. putting up posters, posting on social media
• Helping at the event itself e.g. meeting and greeting, taking donations, setting up and packing away chairs etc, serving refreshments, IT support, being the First Aider, being a backstop on a walk, making sure all participants feel included.
• Leading walks
• Giving talks/workshops

If you enjoy it, you could consider joining the organising committee which involves working closely with a small team of friendly and dedicated volunteers and taking on a little more responsibility for the programme of events.  

No specific expertise in wildlife is required (though if you have any and would be willing to use it in an event, that would be great!)

What’s more important is a willingness to muck in and work with the team, to be reliable and to have an interest in wildlife conservation that you wish to share.

You will also be representing DWT – how people see you is how they will judge DWT – so it is important not to put forward your own views as that of DWT, to be uphold the values of DWT, to familiarise yourself with the risk assessment and safeguarding code of conduct and make sure they are followed.