Greystones Nature Reserve Monitoring

The 66 hectares of Greystones combine several habitats: its wildflower-rich meadows are a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The riverbanks support a variety of rare species including native black poplar. There are small areas of limestone grassland on the remains of the iron age hillfort.

We're a small, friendly team and beginners are very welcome. If you're new to this you'll need at least half a day to a day training, depending on experience. We train new volunteers on site as we survey.

We survey the health of the grassland by collecting data on flora species plus ecological factors using a standard methodology.

You can sign up for as many days as you wish, but due to training time we ask for a minimum commitment of 5 days per year.

Survey days are approx. 9.30am to 4.30pm and you can pick which ones suit you. We supply any survey equipment needed, but you'll need suitable outdoor clothing and to bring your own lunch.

Greystones is wild and beautiful, but sometimes wet and muddy, and we rarely see other people while surveying!

There are toilets in the farm buildings, but we can be working anything up to 30 minutes’ walk away.

I look forward to seeing you on a sunny survey soon.

Ellen

 Perks and Benefits

NRCM volunteers get all the usual GWT perks (travel expenses, GWT café and Cotswold Outdoors discounts, volunteer events, free tickets to shows - more details in the GWT Volunteer Handbook) but most surveyors find that constantly learning and improving their wildlife skills through being out on our beautiful reserves is one of the main benefits.

 Skills You'll Need

Physically fit enough to survey on rough terrain for at least 4 hours. Being willing and able to learn some basic ecological surveying and plant identification is useful, although if you can get where we get and accurately type what we identify onto a digital form then you can learn as you go.

Travel Information

Please car share where possible. Full details on signup. There no volunteer parking on site, it is about 5 mins walk to site from the public car park along quiet Greystones Lane. Parking cost can be reclaimed on expenses.