As a Plantlife volunteer, you get access to our exciting programme of talks and events. Hear from Plantlife experts about the impact your work is having, learn more about wild plants and fungi, and take away practical tips. There’s always something you can get involved in. Here’s a roundup of upcoming talks, events, and training opportunities.
Volunteering news
Welcome to the volunteering news page. Here you can read our latest volunteering news, updates, volunteer stories, and explore opportunities to get involved with us. Whether you’re already a volunteer, or you’re looking for opportunities to join in and make a difference for wild plants and fungi, read our news articles to discover more about what our volunteers get up to and the difference they make to the work we do.
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A day volunteering at Deep Dale Nature Reserve
Find out what it’s like to volunteer at one of our nature reserves. Jim is an Ecologist at the walking and cycling charity Sustrans. He decided to spend one of his annual allocated volunteering days helping at our Deep Dale reserve in Derbyshire. He describes his day working in nature.
Find out more
What it’s really like to be a Conservation Intern
Find out how Aimee used volunteering to boost her skills and experience leading to her to a Policy and Advocacy Intern role. Aimee describes her journey into conservation policy.
Find out moreGet involved
As a Plantlife volunteer there’s always something you can get involved in. Here’s a roundup of upcoming talks, events, and training opportunities.
Online talk: Why Do We Overlook Fungi? Thu 24 Sep
Fungi or mushrooms are often called the forgotten kingdom. Neither plants nor animals, fungi are a very important kingdom of their own. Yet so much of the world overlooks fungi and why they matter so much.
Why has fungi been overlooked? And why does this matter?
Join us to find the answers and learn how attitudes and awareness can be changed.
Booking link will be circulated to volunteers by their volunteer manager.
Learning Through Volunteering webinars 12 – 22 October
We are pleased to invite our volunteers to attend a series of Learning Through Volunteering webinars which are taking place on 12 – 22 October 2026.
Together with The British Trust for Ornithology, Butterfly Conservation, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation and The Mammal Society, we are bringing you a varied and interesting range of learning opportunities.
Our volunteers will receive more detailed information on these:
- Introduction to Bird survey schemes- British Trust for Ornithology
- First Steps in Wildflower Identification – Plantlife
- First Steps to Bird ID – British Trust for Ornithology
- Discover Mammals – The Mammal Society
- Managing habitats for reptiles- Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
- Careers in Conservation- British Trust for Ornithology
- Amazing Welsh nature names Enwau Anhygoel Natur Cymru- Plantlife
- The Secret Lives of Butterflies- Butterfly Conservation
- Butterfly Friendly Councils: How Volunteers are Inspiring Change- Butterfly Conservation
Booking link will be sent out to all volunteers
Learn more about Plantlife on our YouTube channel
Learn more about the subjects that spark your interest on Plantlife YouTube channel.
Free e-learning course – Identifying Woodland Ferns
Get familiar with ferns! Develop the skills you need to identify woodland ferns and learn more about the history of ferns and their cultural significance in this e-learning course.
Free grassland fungi courses
Fungi form an important part of grasslands in the UK. With lyrical names like Ballerina waxcap, and Violet coral, these fungi are one of the most colourful and charismatic groups of fungi to learn to identify. These flexible, accessible courses are open to everyone. You’ll deepen your knowledge and gain practical skills to support conservation efforts in your local area and beyond.
What’s on – Plantlife events & activities
Experience the wonders of nature and its rich biodiversity through our events and activities to explore plants, fungi and the habitats they are in.
Featured projects
Here we shine spotlight on some of our featured projects all of which involve volunteers.
National Plant Monitoring Scheme
Natur am Byth!
Species on the Edge
The website and the images on this Volunteer page is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, CC BY 4.0.
The project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to recruit and develop our Digital Volunteers programme.