PEA POD-Plymouth Environmental Action Conservation Volunteering.

We're excited to announce that we have two voluntary ROLE VACANCIES for Volunteer Project Officers at PEA! Check it out! Deadline for applications 6th March 2016!

We are recruiting 2 x Volunteer Project Officers (VPO) - Unpaid

Do you care about the world around you and want to do something to make a difference?

Would you like to share your passion for the environment with others?

Fancy working in the environmental sector, but don’t yet have the experience to land your dream job?

If so, then a Volunteer Project Officer (VPO) position with Plymouth Environmental Action (PEA) could be just the thing! You could spend your time learning to teach people about the world around them and trying your hand at a variety of practical conservation skills such as hedge laying, dry stone walling, and invasive species management as well as improving your wildlife ID skills. You will gain excellent work experience that will be valued by employers, develop a range of transferable skills such as leadership and team-working, earn a training course such as Small Mammal Ecology or Brushcutter (Lantra), and best of all join a friendly, supportive, and enthusiastic team!

Who is a Volunteer Project Officer (VPO)?

They are people who offer a regular amount of time to work with PEA – preferably to dedicate at least 3 events per month for at least 6 months. These will be mainly weekend days, but may include weekdays depending on your availability. They help to organise and lead PEA’s projects, so that more people can get involved.

How will you benefit from becoming a VPO?

We aim to incorporate your interests and expertise with our needs as a conservation organisation. Working with volunteers to achieve a project is an incredibly fulfilling experience.

You can take advantage of one or more accredited training courses of your choice
You will be given responsibility and trusted alongside the PEA team
You will be supported by professional team members
Many of our Volunteer Officers have gone on to find employment in the environment/charity sector after their time volunteering with PEA.

VPO job roles

Organising and leading practical days
Pre-project planning: risk assessments, site surveys and communicating with land owners
Assisting a group of volunteers to complete a variety of conservation projects
Fundraising & promoting the organisation, e.g. through social media platforms & at public events
Training volunteers and potential Volunteer Officers

What we need from you:

Essential:

A love of the environment and the enthusiasm to engage and support volunteers
Willing to spend time leading projects outdoors and sometimes in remote locations
Have time to dedicate at least 3 practical conservation events per month for a minimum of 6 months as well as attending monthly committee meetings.

Desirable:

Aged 21 years or over and have held a driving license for 2 years or more (clean car driving licence and/or D1 category licence)
Experience of leading groups of people through projects
Relevant qualification(s) such as Countryside Management or Environmental Science.

Please send us your CV along with a brief covering letter describing why you would be a great Volunteer Project Officer at PEA, including information on how you meet our criteria listed above.

Closing date for applications: Midnight 6^th March 2016

Informal interviews will be held during the week of the 14^th March 2016

Find out more about what PEA does:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/plymouthenvironmentalaction

Twitter: twitter.com/pea_volunteer

Website: www.pea-volunteering.co.uk/

Blog: peathepod.blogspot.co.uk/

Off to Lopwell Dam near Dartmoor we ventured for our 'Introduction to Foraging in Winter' workshop....

Most people would be thinking that there wouldn't be anything to forage in Mid Winter! Well, little did we know...

Arriving in the carpark, we admired the view across the Tamar river at high tide, followed by a cup of tea and some delicious flapjacks made by Chris.

Julz certainly enjoyed her cup of tea and the view!

Chris in his new PEA t-shirt! :)

Esther explained a few basics to the group such as making sure you respect wildlife, don't over-pick, and to abide by the countryside code, as well as a few warnings regarding poisonous plants and fungi.

The snowdrops were in full swing - looking beautiful!

Rosehips were gathered for tea (making sure to leave plenty for birds, mammals and insects!) - full of vitamin C!

Ribwort plantain and nettle - both great to eat as greens. Nettle great for tea, soups and stews (high in iron), and plantain also great for squeezing on cuts and grazes (antibacterial properties)