WoW Team volunteer (Window on Westonbirt)

The WOW Board displays stunning photographs of the key plants throughout the seasons at Westonbirt providing visitors with an up to date ‘must see’ selection helping them to make the most of their time at the arboretum. A small team of volunteers regularly explore the collection to find the ‘show stoppers’ ensuring the board is always up to date.

When

• The WoW duty is once a week on a Friday or Saturday. 
•  We do not expect you to volunteer every week, but ask for sign-up at least once a month.
• A volunteer rota is available and typically the pattern of days is Friday, Friday, Saturday.
• Recording both the Old Arboretum and Silk Wood usually takes a full day.
• You will work in pairs (as a minimum, and usually in a group of 3).
• This role is reviewed on a 6-monthly basis.

What’s involved? 

•  Looking at both the Old Arboretum and Silk Wood recording the trees, shrubs and wildflowers that are looking particularly good, e.g. flowers or fruit present, leaf colour, bark interest. This includes covering all main rides and hard paths throughout the arboretum.
• Selecting the identified information from the bank of plant cards to update the board, and removing those cards that are no longer relevant; the creation of new cards as needed.
•  Inputting data onto the WOW computer.

We’d like you to  

• Have a methodical approach with good attention to detail.
• Be interested in/enthusiastic about trees!
• Be willing to carry out the tasks in all weathers (the shift would be cancelled in extreme weather).
•  Be comfortable being in the outdoors for most of your shift (an indoor comfort area is provided for lunch/breaks).
• Understand how to work the basics of Microsoft applications (e.g. Word, Excel).
• Be happy working in small teams/pairs.

We will

• Provide new starter training and ongoing help and guidance.
• Induction is followed by on-going mentored sessions in the field, plus instruction on inputting computerised data until you become established.
•  All equipment is provided and on-site radios carried for communication purposes.
• Covering the Old Arboretum and Silk Wood can take up to 5 hours to complete. Electric scooters may be used if wished (provided free of charge).
• Pay a contribution to the cost of volunteering travel.