As a charity, the RSPB relies heavily on volunteer support to carry out our vital conservation work.
In Northern Ireland we are lucky to have a dedicated team of helpers who, since April this year, have contributed around 8,375 hours of their time on our nature reserves alone! That equates to almost £56,000 of in-kind support which is simply invaluable as the RSPB continues on its mission to save nature.
Our reserves are home to a huge variety of birds and wildlife, from threatened waders like lapwing and curlew to rare orchids, butterflies and Irish hares.
These species are flourishing in these special places - including Portmore Lough, Belfast Harbour, Rathlin Island, Lower Lough Erne and Lough Beg – because of all the hard work that has gone into creating habitats for them.
Volunteers have been instrumental in helping staff make our reserves ideal homes for birds and wildlife. Come rain or shine they aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty and pitch in to clear scrub or dig nettles!
Volunteers also play a key role in engaging with visitors to our sites, from helping them to identify species to assisting with guided walks and other fun events we hold throughout the year.
We also rely on the goodwill and experience of volunteers to help us in other ways too, including administrative support in our headquarters and bird and wildlife surveying on land across Northern Ireland.
So, with the season of goodwill upon us, RSPB Northern Ireland would like to say a big thank you to all our volunteers!
Remember, there are always new and interesting roles to be filled so why not make it your New Year’s resolution to volunteer to help nature by contacting Suzanne on 028 9049 1547 or emailing suzanne.irvine@rspb.org.uk.