Team Countryside Ranger (The Meads near Bridgwater)

The Meads is an area of floodplain grazing marsh to the south-west of Bridgwater, near St Matthews Field. The site is divided into fields by drainage ditches and open watercourses providing a home for kingfishers, dragonflies, frogs and tadpoles. The informal footpaths through the park provide an opportunity to walk and enjoy far reaching views of the surrounding landscape. The site also includes a community orchard and foraging area. There are lots of opportunities to help manage the site for both people and wildlife. Volunteers are needed to help with an array of tasks on site - habitat management, site maintenance and community engagement.

As a Team Countryside Ranger you'll learn habitat management, safe use of tools and practical site maintenance techniques. You'll be volunteering as part of a team, supervised by Somerset Council's Green Estates ranger team. Tasks include litter picking, tree planting, scrub clearance, grassland management, fencing, path maintenance works and working in or around water courses.

Depending on your experience and ability, you may be offered opportunities for more training such as brush cutter or operation of a brushwood chipper.

You don't need to have any previous skills or knowledge, but you do need to be able to carry out physical tasks on uneven terrain in various weather conditions throughout the year. All training and tools are provided, as well as tea, coffee and biscuits.

This is a great opportunity to meet new people and get some gentle exercise working outdoors, gaining skills in habitat conservation.