Nature Conservation Volunteers

Would you like to join in with our nature projects? Help us to manage and monitor wildlife on the beautiful Lambourn Downs as a conservation volunteer. Enjoy an outdoor experience in a very special area of the English countryside.

The organic estate sits on the border of Berkshire and Oxfordshire, reaching from the famous village of Lambourn up to the chalk downland at Ewe Hill, Nut Wood Down and Gunters Down. Nature conservation is an important part of the farm estate management. We have a rich natural heritage and the Kindersley family are passionate about the farm's wildlife.

Sheepdrove Organic Farm has over 100 species of birds, a wide range of mammals including Brown Hare and at least 7 types of bat, some rare wildflowers and 26 butterfly species. We are the UK headquarters of the Barn Owl Conservation Network and have several breeding pairs here.

Ancient woodland

Nut Wood is an ancient woodland where we have re-introduced a traditional coppice regime. It is the ultimate in sustainable resource management, producing renewable energy and materials. At the same time our woodland wildlife thrives on the cyles of clearance and regrowth.

Annual winter work is a chance for you to learn coppice skills and discover the woodland habitat. It's good hard work too! During spring we have a rare wildflower to watch out for and there is some very interesting birdwatching to be done.

Habitat links

Hedges and new tree plantations connect the farm landscape. These areas of growth need care and attention to make sure we don't lose trees to weed competition. As an organic farm, we do not spray to control weeds, which means a helping hand is always welcome!

These young tree habitats are also very interesting as places to watch and study wildlife. Winter bird ringing and summertime Harvest Mouse surveys are activities you could get your teeth into. Plus you could try your hand at hedgelaying.

Watching wildlife

Fancy a bit of birdwatching, moth trapping and plant spotting? Wildlife surveys are very useful for us and they make for very rewarding volunteering sessions. You don't have to be an expert, because with practice you'll soon learn some new identification skills.

Bird boxes

In addition to setting up and looking after more than 100 bird boxes and mammal boxes, you would have the chance to assist with licenced monitoring of the protected Barn Owl nest sites at Sheepdrove.

Sheepdrove Rare Butterfly Project

This is a scheme to create habitat for threatened butterflies in the Lambourn area. Because it is at an early stage, your volunteering work can make a big difference to its future success. We welcome hands-on support to develop and monitor the butterfly target sites as they mature.

Research projects can also play an important role, e.g. butterfly and caterpillar surveys; watching how butterflies use the habitat; surveying plants; recording the process of habitat change; or genetic and behavioural studies of butterfly populations. Students, please get in touch with your ideas!

Conservation Culture

We are fortunate to be in a very interesting area where a range of wildlife projects are happening. There are also opportunities to volunteer with the local wildlife trust (BBOWT), countryside projects (PKLVCP), Butterfly Conservation or the Lambourn Valley Barn Owl Group. Mix and match your volunteer time for a range of experiences!

Contact us

Please call Jason Ball on 01488 674727 to be part of our nature conservation projects.