Durham Voluntary Countryside Ranger Service
You may feel you would like to help to look after the countryside in your spare time. The Durham Voluntary Countryside Ranger Service (DVCRS) is a group of volunteers who love the countryside and put time aside to do something positive to help care for it.
Photo by Roger Cornwell
Voluntary rangers assist the county council’s Countryside group to help the public’s access to, and enjoyment and understanding of the countryside around them.
There are many ways in which voluntary rangers can help, such as doing practical nature conservation tasks or looking after footpaths, caring for trees, or assisting on guided walks. There is something for everyone - Volunteers are all ages and come from all walks of life. What they all have in common is a love of the countryside and a concern to make it a better place.
Five sections of the service cover the various aspects of countryside management work. The service is proud of its high standards, so all Volunteers do a period of training and assessment to become full members.
Adopt-a-Path Warden
Rights of Way Officers look after the county’s network of public footpaths, bridleways and byways. Adopt-a-Path Wardens help by regularly walking and reporting on rights of way of their choice near their home.
Guided Walk Steward
Durham County Council runs a full programme of guided walks, led by experts who interpret the surrounding landscape, geology or natural history. Stewards assist the leader and the public on the walks.
Site Patrols
The County Council manages many country parks, picnic areas, conservation sites and railway paths. Site Patrollers help to look after them by picking up litter, assisting visitors, and reporting on problems.
Tree Warden
The Tree Council runs this national scheme, which is administered in Durham from the Countryside Office. Tree Wardens organise local tree planting schemes, keep an eye on trees in the neighbourhood, and offer advice to tree and woodland owners.
Working Parties
Full-time rangers carry out a wide variety of practical work in maintaining paths, nature reserves and other countryside sites. They have a year-round programme of Volunteer Working Parties, in all parts of the county, every Wednesday and one Saturday a month. All tools and equipment are provided.
You don’t have to have any special skills or experience to become a voluntary ranger - you will be given any necessary training and learn from other rangers when you join. You will have to be prepared to spend at least 10 days a year doing the duties you choose and attending training sessions.
As a voluntary ranger you will learn a lot about the countryside, acquire new skills and discover hidden abilities. You meet other like-minded people, have a lot of fun working together and make good friends. You also get a lot of satisfaction from knowing you are doing something positive for the benefit of the countryside and its wildlife.
If you want to find out more please telephone the Countryside Office on 0191 3835704 or complete an online registration form. Alternatively you can send for a registration form.
You will be invited to an introductory meeting to meet members of the service, find out more about what is expected of voluntary rangers and ask questions.
