Monitoring and research volunteers

Our extensive research and monitoring programme is an essential part of the work we do and we welcome the assistance of volunteers who can help us with tasks such as vegetation monitoring, hydrology and water quality.

We do not currently have a lot of field work on, but expect that this will change throughout the year. We would still like to hear from people who are interested in assisting staff with field work on a ad hoc basis on a range of projects that can come up (e.g. water quality measurements, maintenance of sites, note-taking.) No experience is necessary as you can learn on the job - although we do ask that you read and understand the general requirements set out below. Please note that we can only offer voluntary opportunities in the field - no office based work is available.

We expect to have a greater demand for volunteers in late summer for our annual vegetation monitoring.

To apply, please complete a registration form and email to tia.crouch@peakdistrict.gov.uk. Once we receive your registration form we will add your name to our mailing list.

General Requirements for Field Volunteers

This work takes place in the Peak District National Park, north of Edale, and in the South Pennines around Rochdale. Many of our sites are remote and so a reasonable level of fitness is required. Volunteers should have clothing appropriate for working outdoors and should expect to do full days out in the field. Please also note that there is often no mobile phone reception at our sites. Monitoring work at weekends is not usually undertaken and so volunteers should be available Monday-Friday.

Own transport is essential for most projects – reasonable contributions to travel expenses will be made.

Our monitoring programmes offer volunteers the chance to learn more about the moorland and blanket peat of the Peak District and South Pennines. It is also a chance to acquire a range skills such as plant ID, peatland hydrology, environmental monitoring techniques and also about our restoration and conservation work.

For more information please contact the Research Team on 01629 816579.

Moor Memories Oral History Project

The Moor Memories Project needs volunteers to help interview people to create an audio archive of memories of life in the Peak District moorlands. If you would like more information or are interested in conducting interviews and/or transcribing audio files then please contact  Julia Shergold, Moor Memories Project Officer on  01629 816585.