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As a Plantlife volunteer there’s always something you can get involved in. Here’s a roundup of upcoming talks, events, and training opportunities.

Volunteering news

Welcome to the volunteering news page. Here you can read our latest volunteering news, updates, volunteer stories, and explore opportunities to get involved with us. Whether you’re already a volunteer, or you’re looking for opportunities to join in and make a difference for wild plants and fungi, read our news articles to discover more about what our volunteers get up to and the difference they make to the work we do.

A teenager and a woman looking closely at a wildflower whilst crouching low in a wildflower field on a sunny day
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Volunteer stories

Get involved

As a Plantlife volunteer there’s always something you can get involved in. Here’s a roundup of upcoming talks, events, and training opportunities.

Learning Through Volunteering webinars 12 – 22 October


We are pleased to invite our volunteers to attend a series of Learning Through Volunteering webinars which are taking place on 12 –  22 October 2026.  

Together with The British Trust for OrnithologyButterfly ConservationAmphibian and Reptile Conservation and The Mammal Society, we are bringing you a varied and interesting range of learning opportunities.  

Our volunteers will receive more detailed information on these:

  • Introduction to Bird survey schemes- British Trust for Ornithology
  • First Steps in Wildflower Identification – Plantlife
  • First Steps to Bird ID – British Trust for Ornithology
  • Discover Mammals – The Mammal Society
  • Managing habitats for reptiles- Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
  • Careers in Conservation- British Trust for Ornithology
  • Amazing Welsh nature names Enwau Anhygoel Natur Cymru- Plantlife
  • The Secret Lives of Butterflies- Butterfly Conservation
  • Butterfly Friendly Councils: How Volunteers are Inspiring Change- Butterfly Conservation

Booking link will be sent out to all volunteers

Photograph shows a beautiful Speckled Wood butterfly with it's wings open, perched on a yellow flower. The butterfly has brown wings with light yellow patches on them.

Online talk Farming: Caring for the Land with Nature Thu 25 Jun 19.00


How we care for our land is vital for biodiversity and nature restoration. Central to this is the farmers and landowners who spend their lives caring for and protecting the land and wildlife that depends on it. What better time to put the spotlight on this than the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists and the International year of the Woman Farmer. Farmer Della Fazey joins Plantlife’s Farm Partnership Officer John Harold to explore the important role pastoral systems play in biodiversity, enriching landscapes and sustaining rural livelihoods.

Booking link will be sent by your volunteer manager.

Photo shows three people talking in the distance in a meadow. The grass is long around them and the meadow is filled with wildflowers.

Ranscombe Farm 20th Anniversary Celebration 6-12 June 2026


Join us for a week of free activities that celebrate Ranscombe Farm’s past, present and future. From plant monitoring, to mindful photography, and guided walks. We hope you find something to spark your interest.

Ranscombe Connect is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to
National Lottery players, we have been able to deliver this project for the benefit of
Ranscombe’s nature and its local communities.

Learn more about Plantlife on our YouTube channel


Learn more about the subjects that spark your interest on Plantlife YouTube channel.

Plantlife – YouTube

Free e-learning course – Identifying Woodland Ferns


Get familiar with ferns! Develop the skills you need to identify woodland ferns and learn more about the history of ferns and their cultural significance in this e-learning course.

 

Free grassland fungi courses


Fungi form an important part of grasslands in the UK. With lyrical names like Ballerina waxcap, and Violet coral, these fungi are one of the most colourful and charismatic groups of fungi to learn to identify. These flexible, accessible courses are open to everyone. You’ll deepen your knowledge and gain practical skills to support conservation efforts in your local area and beyond.

Three people with backpacks and papers crouched investigating wild plants growing from the grass they're stood in

What’s on – Plantlife events & activities


Experience the wonders of nature and its rich biodiversity through our events and activities to explore plants, fungi and the habitats they are in.

Featured projects

Here’s a roundup of some of our featured projects all of which involve volunteers, or will be involving volunteers in the future. This section will be added to over time as we shine the spotlight on our different projects. Be sure to check back in to keep an eye on the variety of different ways volunteers are working with us.

National Plant Monitoring Scheme

National Plant Monitoring Scheme (NPMS)

Dr Rachel Murphy, NPMS Volunteer Manager – ' The NPMS is a nationwide partnership project, supported by hundreds of volunteer citizen scientists, who do botanical surveys every year at their allocated sites. These long-term surveys are providing data that enables us to study the abundance and diversity of plants over time across 30 different semi-natural habitats. Our volunteers have access to an ongoing programme of training and events both online and in person.'

Natur am Byth!tiny green cup like lichens

Natur am Byth – Mini Wonders of the Welsh Marches

Ellie Baggett, Project Officer Natur am Byth! – 'Summer 2023 saw the launch of Natur am Byth, Wales’ largest natural heritage and outreach programme to save species from extinction and reconnect people to nature. Through our Welsh Marches project, we’re working in Powys, focussing on rare and fascinating lichens and bryophytes of veteran trees and dry rocky outcrops; communities which are increasingly at risk. Watch this space for upcoming events, training, and volunteering opportunities!'

Species on the Edge

Species on the Edge, North Coast

Louise Senior, People Engagement Officer, Species on the Edge, North Coast – 'Species on the Edge is a collaborative approach to environmental action across Scotland’s coasts and islands. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the programme is overseen by NatureScot with partners from 7 conservation charities. On Scotland’s north coast, Plantlife is delivering work on behalf of Butterfly Conservation, Buglife and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Volunteers can help conserve the Great Yellow bumblebee, Small Blue butterfly and the Leaf beetle, as well as Scottish Primrose, Oysterplant and Purple Oxytropis.'

The website and the images on this Volunteer page is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, CC BY 4.0.

The project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to recruit and develop our Digital Volunteers programme.