V is for Volunteers

Please remember! We ask that people do not visit the Reserve particularly if you have to travel. All car parks on Holy Island are closed to visitors until government restrictions are lifted. Many residents on Holy island fall into the vulnerable category. Please adhere to these guidelines for the health and safety of yourself and others during this time.

We here at Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve manage 3500 hectares of dunes, intertidal mud and sand flats, rocky shores and salt marsh; mixing research and habitat management to create a positive change to the landscape and influence the wider environment.

We couldn’t carry out this high workload without the help of our committed and wonderful volunteers who give up their free time to carry out a wide range of tasks all for the benefit of the Reserve. Volunteers are also encouraged to contribute unique skills such as photography or artistic ability to promote and enrich the information about the Reserve.

Shorebird wardening

Many of our volunteers assist in survey work, whether that be occasional butterfly or pollinator transects to our larger projects such as the Shorebird Protection Scheme. We have a passionate group of volunteers that dedicate countless hours over the three months of the shorebird season carrying out monitoring and public engagement at the various breeding sites. These sites need to be protected 7 days a week and is a real labour of love but is so rewarding at the end of it when you see young chicks thrive and fledge.

Alongside the monitoring, our volunteers assist us in delivering our events programme, educating visitors and enthusing children in the incredible nature at Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve.

Volunteering at craft events

During autumn and winter we undertake various practical habitat management, free of the worry of disturbing nesting birds. Our volunteers regularly help litterpicking, grass raking, scrub management and other tasks – anything to get outside and get their hands dirty really!

Volunteers removing invasive species from the dunes

 


Raking grass from cut areas in the dunes - vital to allow scarce plant communities to flourish

Good hoard of Willow from a scrub bash

So to all our volunteers, we salute you! Thank you for all your hard work over the years and for being great advocates for the Reserve. Stay safe and we look forward to welcoming you all back to the Reserve once restrictions are lifted.