Blog - Volunteering

Winter storms took their toll, but our volunteers stepped up! Discover how we rallied together to repair the damage and ensure the survival of young trees at our planting site in our latest update.

9,000 trees will be planted in Silk Wood over the next two years, thanks to an incredible grant from the Julia Rausing Trust.

If your Sunday evening viewing has you captivated by the awesome autumn beauty and historic heritage of The National Arboretum, you’re not alone. The awe-inspiring collection of Japanese Acers, Oak trees, and Whitebeams are world-famous, transforming the landscape in a dazzling array of yellow, orange, and crimson hues in autumn.

With the crisp autumn air and shorter days upon us, let’s revisit the warmer, albeit wetter, months of the Silk Wood Community Planting Project.

Are you passionate about nature and sharing your knowledge with others? Do you enjoy connecting people with the beauty and significance of trees? If so, we invite you to join Westonbirt’s team of volunteer guides at the arboretum.

The Silk Wood Community Planting Project team and volunteers recently conducted a 'beat-up survey' to assess the survival rate of saplings planted last year.

We've been incredibly fortunate to have Mother Nature as a dedicated volunteer. She's not only helped us plant over 30 trees (that we know of) but has also provided invaluable care and nourishment for our green spaces. And the best part? She works completely for free!...

Changes Bristol recently spent a day at Westonbirt Arboretum, nurturing saplings and learning about the vital role forests play in our ecosystem. Discover how this rewarding experience benefitted both their mental well-being and the planet.

This Volunteers Week, see how our amazing team helped the saplings thrive at Silk Wood. They tackled the thistles and brambles, making way for easier access and protecting the new trees. Read more about the hard work, the wildlife encounters, and the "poo-dunnit" mystery!...

We're pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Bryars and Sam Addadahine to the charity’s Board of Trustees, read on to find out more about them...

Over the summer, a team of volunteers conducted a baseline survey in Silk Wood to discover which flora and fauna are present after a period of fallow following on from ash tree felling due to Chalara.

We recently caught up with Martyn Smith, our charity's Finance Trustee, to learn more about this valued volunteer who donates his time to guide our organisation. Read on to find out more...

Read a day in the life of a Westonbirt volunteer guide, Martin Green, who also generously gives his time as one of our charity trustees...

Follow the journey of nine Estate Volunteers as they took part in the John Muir Award restoring the well-loved bird hide in the Old Arboretum.

Discover Westonbirt's immersive and interactive sensory experience and how this aims to shift visitors' perception, enjoy the arboretum at a slower pace and explore the trees of Westonbirt through their nonvisual senses.