Become a Conservation Volunteer with
Positive Action Cymru
Get outdoors, learn practical skills and help care for the Gower
Fancy spending a day outdoors, getting stuck into practical conservation work and helping to look after one of Wales' most special landscapes?
Through our partnership with Positive Action Cymru (PAC), we're offering a series of hands-on Conservation Volunteer Days at The Lane, Lower Hareslade Farm, near Bishopston on Gower.
These are practical, friendly sessions where you can learn new skills, meet other people and get involved in looking after habitats and wildlife on the farm.
And there’s plenty to get stuck into!
What will you do?
Each Conservation Day is different, depending on the time of year and what the land needs. Activities could include:
🌿 Habitat and vegetation management – helping to maintain access routes and manage habitats for wildlife.
🦋 Wildlife surveying – taking part in butterfly, bumblebee and other citizen science surveys, as well as learning about wildflower identification.
🐝 Pollinator habitats – helping to create and improve bee banks, bug hotels and other habitats for pollinating insects.
🌳 Orchard and woodland work – helping with fruit harvesting, pruning and other seasonal work.
🌼 Wildflower conservation – collecting native wildflower seeds and helping prepare areas for wildflower meadows.
🪵 Green woodworking and traditional skills – have a go at working with locally sourced materials, willow weaving and natural sculpture.
🔥 Charcoal making – learn about the traditional process of making charcoal from locally sourced timber.
🐦 Wildlife homes – help build and install bird and bat boxes and other habitat features.
🦔 Creating wildlife habitat – construct dead hedges, log piles and hibernacula to provide shelter and food for wildlife.
🔨 Practical site work – help with things such as path, fence and habitat repairs and general improvements around the site.
You don't have to be an expert in conservation or know your way around a pair of loppers. These days are about getting involved, learning by doing and working alongside other volunteers.
When and Where?
The Conservation Days take place at:
The Lane, Lower Hareslade Farm
Bishopston, Swansea
SA3 3DT
PLEASE GET IN TOUCH IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND
PLEASE DO NOT TURN UP UNNAOUNCED ON THE DAY
The Sessions currently run 10am–2pm on Wednesdays, with dates and activities changing throughout the year to reflect the seasons and the needs of the site.
We can help you to find transport to the site or arrange lift shares with other volunteers; please get in touch if you need some help.
2026 Conservation Days
July – Citizen Science & Habitat Management
1 July
15 July
Vegetation management
Butterfly and bumblebee surveys
Wildflower identification
August – Habitat Enhancement
5 August
Bench building
Habitat zone signage
Bee banks and bug hotels
September – Seeds, Orchards & Restoration
9 September
23 September
Native wildflower seed collection
Apple harvesting from the orchard
October – Traditional Skills & Creative Conservation
7 October
21 October
Charcoal making
Natural sculpture
Willow weaving
November – Wildlife Habitat Creation
4 November
18 November
Building hibernacula
Creating dead hedges
Constructing log piles
Activities may vary depending on weather, seasonal conditions and what work is needed on the site.
Who can get involved?
These days are designed to be welcoming and accessible to people who want to get outdoors and do something practical.
You might already have experience in conservation, gardening, woodworking or outdoor work—or you might have never done anything like this before.
What matters most is that you're:
🌱 Interested in nature and the environment
🥾 Happy to spend time outdoors
🤝 Comfortable working alongside other people
🛠️ Keen to learn practical skills
💚 Willing to get stuck in and have a go
🔎 Curious about the wildlife and habitats around you
There are opportunities to learn about everything from wildlife surveying and habitat management to traditional woodland skills, so there's always something new to discover.
Why volunteer?
Conservation volunteering is a chance to do something tangible for the environment.
You'll be helping to create and maintain habitats that support pollinators, birds, bats, insects and other wildlife, while also helping to care for the wider landscape of Gower.
You'll also have the opportunity to:
Learn practical conservation and countryside skills
Try traditional skills such as willow weaving and charcoal making
Learn more about local wildlife and habitats
Gain experience in citizen science and ecological surveying
Meet other people who care about the environment
Spend time outdoors and enjoy the Gower landscape
Build confidence using tools and practical equipment
See the direct results of your volunteering
Take part in a range of activities throughout the seasons
And perhaps most importantly, you'll be part of a community of people helping to make a real difference to the land around them.
Come along and have a go
You don't need to know all the answers before you arrive, Conservation is something you can learn by doing. Whether you're interested in wildlife, practical outdoor work, traditional crafts, gardening, citizen science—or you simply fancy spending a day somewhere beautiful doing something useful—there's a place for you. Please let us know beforehand
Ready to get involved?
Come along to one of our Conservation Volunteer Days on Gower and get your hands dirty for nature! For more information and to find out how to get involved, get in contact at tomski@environmentcentre.org.uk or call on 01792 480200.