The South Downs National Park is recruiting a new team of Volunteer Rangers for the first time since it became a National Park. The volunteers will work from the Queen Elizabeth Country Park in the western part of the National Park, covering an area between the outskirts of Winchester in the west, Petersfield in the east and stretching north to Alice Holt.

More than 300 people already volunteer as part of the South Downs Volunteer Ranger Service, which was set up in 1981, more than 30 years before the South Downs National Park was designated. The new team of volunteers will go out into the National Park on alternate Tuesdays from 16 October, carrying out important conservation work over the winter.

Dan Oakley, a Ranger for the South Downs National Park Authority, said:
“Our enthusiastic volunteers take on practical hands-on conservation work, get to explore new areas and there’s always a brilliant team atmosphere. It’s a great way to meet new people, be outdoors, learn new skills, gain valuable conservation experience and really make a difference to the South Downs National Park.”

As well as the new Tuesday working group there are currently spaces available for volunteers on the monthly Sunday volunteering group.

Volunteers must be aged 16 and over. For more information contact Dan Oakley at dan.oakley@southdowns.gov.uk.