Volunteering Opportunities

Current volunteering opportunities

Opportunities to join the National Park as a new volunteer are listed on this page. Unsure which area is closest to you? Check out the map to see which is your nearest one.

We work closely with many partners across the National Park, from land owners, large estates and national organisations to smaller community groups and trusts, to provide rewarding and interesting opportunities for our volunteers, that also meet our operational needs and corporate priorities, to help conserve and promote the special qualities of the National Park.

Please note our practical conservation opportunities vary according to landscape, season, access to land and wildlife cycles.

Apply now

volunteering@southdowns.gov.uk 

Practical Conservation Volunteering –

Eastern Downs –

Our Eastern Downs team covers an area from Steyning to Eastbourne, and works out of two locations at Stanmer Park and Seven Sisters Country Park.

• Practical Conservation Volunteer – Volunteering on both weekdays and weekends

Western Downs

Our Western Downs team covers and area from Petersfield to Winchester with an office near Droxford.

• This area is currently closed for practical conservation volunteering, but please check back regularly

Central Downs –

Our Central Downs team covers an area broadly from the A24 to  Petersfield with an office near Singleton.

• Practical Conservation Volunteer – Volunteering on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays
• River Guardian Mink Volunteer – Volunteering Ad hoc 
• Church Copse Volunteers – Currently CLOSED for the off season

Across the Park –

• National Bat Monitoring Surveyor – Volunteering 2 transects in July   

This is a fantastic opportunity to help gather important data on bat populations and enhance your bat identification skills using heterodyne detectors.

This is a publicly available volunteer role offered by the Bat Conservation Trust, as the SDNPA we are supporting this project by offering training prior to surveying, Bat detecting equipment and the support of our Ranger team. However, you are very welcome to volunteer for this role without the support of the South Downs National Park.

• Events Volunteer – Volunteering Ad hoc

As this is a public facing role we will be holding informal conversations. These discussions will cover the purposes of the role and why you are interested in volunteering for the National Park, including any previous or relevant experience.

30 minute, face to face and online conversations will be arranged for:

Wednesday 9^th April

Tuesday 29^th April

Seven Sisters Country Park –

• Visitor Experience Volunteer – Volunteering on both weekdays and weekends
• Tours and Public Engagement Volunteer – Volunteering on both weekdays and weekends