Volunteering with LCV
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What is 'conservation' work?
The work we do focuses on maintaining or improving wildlife habitats.
Maintaining habitats
We need to maintain habitats because most open land in Scotland would become forest if it were left untouched, all other things being equal. This process, where land is colonised over time by larger and longer-lived species of plants is known as succession.
In the past, the diversity of the Scottish landscape was maintained as a by-product of people's farming practices and daily lives, but now we have to do the work deliberately.
Each of our work sites has a management plan, drawn up by experts, that determines which habitats must be maintained at that site because they are locally or nationally rare. We work to halt the succession cycle at that point. For example, at Aberlady Bay we are working to keep a pond as a pond, rather than letting it silt up: this provides a habitat for a rare bladderwort. At Red Moss of Balerno we have an annual task to remove birch trees that will dry out the Moss: this maintains the specialised plants and animals on one of the few raised bogs left in Scotland.
Improving habitats
We need to improve habitats to repair damage that people have done over the years or to speed up the succession process. If one of our clients acquires a reserve on farmland, and the management plan for the reserve recommends that it should be returned to forest, the client could simply fence it off and wait 200 years. However, they will see results faster if they plant the land with a suitable mixture of native tree species. We are helping with this at Carrifran in the Borders.
We can also improve sites by building footpaths through them. Improving public access is vital for increasing understanding and support for wildlife, but has a further advantage that carefully designed footpaths can route visitors away from sensitive areas of a reserve, leaving the wildlife in peace. We do work like this at Hadfast, a reserve that is very important for its bird life.
Why do conservation work?
Every member of LCV has their own reasons. Here are some:
- In 1973, Scottish Wildlife Trust took over a disused car breaker's yard at Bawsinch, by Duddingston Loch in the shadow of Arthur's Seat. Members of LCV helped to clear the site of rubbish, and to plant hundreds of trees. The trees have now grown into a proper wood, and in the summer you can walk under the green leafy canopy and listen to the birds singing in what was a derelict site only a short distance from the city centre. LCV is still doing work like this elsewhere: I want to make the same lasting contribution to the environment that those pioneers made in 1973.
- In response to the question 'Do anything interesting at the weekend?', I like answering 'I went to Killin with some friends', and thinking to myself '...where we worked for the National Trust for Scotland and planted 3000 trees high on Ben Lawers, creating a forest that will be around for the next 200 years.'
- I spend my working day sitting in an office. I like to get outside at weekends, doing something practical and creative with a friendly group of like-minded people of all ages and from a variety of backgrounds.
A typical task
We usually have about 10 volunteers on each task, and there is a wide range of ages and experience.
Each task has a Leader, who is an experienced volunteer who liaises with the client and directs the work to make sure we are doing what they want. The most important role of the Leader, however, is to make sure that all the volunteers have a safe and enjoyable time.
Each task starts with a safety talk, to explain the use of the tools and to identify any special hazards associated with the task or the work site.
Is it safe?
Safety is our priority. The Task Leader will make sure that you know how to use all the tools safely, and will warn you about any special hazards.
Can anyone do it?
We welcome anyone who can make a positive contribution to our work. The most important thing is that you are happy to work all day outdoors in any weather.
Children and young people
If you are under 16, you must come with an adult who will take responsibility for your safety.
If you are under 14 you must bring an adult with you, you won't be able to travel in our minibus, and you will need your own transport to and from the worksite. Also, all our tools are adult-sized, which might make them difficult for you to use.
Some of the tasks we do (for example tree felling) are not suitable for young children.
There is a group in Edinburgh called the Green Team who specialise in environment conservation for young people.
People with special needs
If you have any special needs, then we ask you to bring someone with you to help with anything that you might find difficult. In particular it is important that you can understand and remember the safety talk that we give at the beginning of each task.
More information
Please contact us if you would like to find out more about a particular task and whether it would be suitable for you.
Do I need any experience?
None whatsoever!
Just bring your enthusiasm, some old clothes and your lunch. We will provide everything else you need. We will train you in the skills you need to do a good job.
Look at our Task Programme to see which task you would like to start with.
(c) Lothians Conservation Volunteers 2008
Lothians Conservation Volunteers is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC020384