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Caring for Eden
Exploring Eden
Our Charity
Exploring Eden

Volunteering with Eden Rivers Trust isn't just about giving your time

—it’s about being part of something bigger, something that flows through every corner of our countryside.

A woman is knelt beside a wooden and wire box full of straw and is opening a flap at the front ready to feed some water voles that are hidden within. A woman is knelt beside a wooden and wire box full of straw and is opening a flap at the front ready to feed some water voles that are hidden within.

River Irthing

River Eden

River Petteril

Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do at Eden Rivers Trust. From restoring riverbanks to supporting community events, much of our work simply wouldn’t be possible without the time, energy, and passion of our amazing volunteers.

Whether you're a seasoned expert or just curious to get involved, there's a place for you here. 

You don’t need specialist knowledge—just bring your enthusiasm, and we’ll bring the cake!

Volunteering with us ...

... is a chance to 

Learn new skills

Meet like-minded people, and

Make a real impact on your local environment

Made to measure

We have a range of activities to choose from, spanning the River Eden catchment. Whether you prefer outdoors-get-your-hands-dirty conservation based jobs or helping at events, with educational work, photography or citizen science research, we’ll have something that’s sure to fit.

We'll look after you

We welcome every volunteer, whatever your skills or background, or however much time you can spare. We've put in measures to keep everybody safe while they are working with us. 

Take the plunge!

Come and be part of something special. Help us protect and celebrate the rivers of Eden —for wildlife, for people, and for future generations.

How to volunteer

We're delighted that you're taking the plunge! 

If you’re new to volunteering with Eden Rivers Trust, you’ll be invited to register your details with us. Once approved, you’ll be free to book places on our volunteer activities and receive regular updates from us about new opportunities.

Latest volunteer opportunities

All Events

Here's a flavour of our volunteering opportunities

A group of hedge laying volunteers are posing for a photograph stood amid a newly laid section of hedge, replete with saplings, stakes and tree guards.

Hands-on practical conservation

  • Regular weekly work parties

    Help support conservation projects throughout the Eden catchment – including tree planting in winter, crayfish surveys & balsam bashing in summer, as well as special additional dates such as crayfish or fish rescues and water vole releases. Held on Thursdays and one weekend day each month. 

  • Tree nursery sessions – Penrith

    Join us at our Eden Community Tree Nursery, an accessible space, open to all, where we grow trees from seeds, build up the nursery space, and support our communities to become more resilient and sustainable. Regular sessions are held on Tuesday afternoons and Friday mornings.

  • Independent surveys and monitoring

    River & habitat surveys, species surveys, and Riverfly monitoring. Training and support provided.

  • PRISM project volunteers

    Help us with riverfly monitoring, mink monitoring and riparian surveys in the Upper Irthing.

  • Invasive, non-native species

    Join us on regular work parties throughout the summer months to remove invasive species such as Himalayan Balsam from the Eden catchment.

A person is crouching down and adding text to a small A frame chalkboard sitting on short grass.

For those who prefer a supporting role ...

  • Help inspire the next generation

    Support our Outdoor Learning Manager in delivering fun, inspirational, hands-on sessions in schools.

  • Content creator

    Help us tell our story and build a library of stunning images and/or footage for educational, promotional and research use.

  • Events maker

    There are lots of ways you can help - meet people and share information about our work, rivers and Eden’s wildlife at public shows and events; help set up/take down stalls and activities, and/or leaflet and poster distribution to help promote events.

  • Trustee

    Help our charity to deliver our aims to improve and sustain the River Eden and its catchment to become an even better place for people and wildlife.

    We are keen to hear from people who are interested in taking on this role and joining our Executive Board when opportunities arise.

Don't just take our word for it!

Here's what some of our volunteers had to say about volunteering with Eden Rivers Trust.

Two people in open canoe on a lake have stopped to fish out a large black bin bag from the water.

Volunteering with Eden Rivers Trust isn’t just about giving your time

—it’s about being part of something bigger, something that flows through every corner of our countryside.

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