Durham Countryside Service and Volunteers

Durham Countryside Service and Volunteers Durham County Council's Countryside Service looks after country parks, nature reserves, railway paths and picnic areas for the benefit of people and wildlife.

Posts about countryside news, volunteering and community work. Volunteers:
* do practical work - planting trees, mending fences, clearing vegetation
* help with guided walks and events
* check countryside sites and footpaths
* report problems
* complete wildlife surveys
* pick litter
* help at Hardwick Park (visitor centre, education sessions and birthday parties)
* help with fundraising and office work. Volunteers can be individuals, community and disability groups or corporate groups - everyone can get involved. You don't need any experience as all training will be given. Your enthusiasm is all we need!

Support birds on our Local Nature Reserves.Whether you are a bird expert or a beginner who wants to learn we would love ...
05/02/2026

Support birds on our Local Nature Reserves.

Whether you are a bird expert or a beginner who wants to learn we would love your help with some upcoming winter and spring surveys at Tanfield Lea Marsh and Pity Me Carrs Local Nature Reserves.

Recording birds is really important for conservation and a great opportunity to get outdoors with like-minded wildlife lovers.

Just let us know if you can come by direct message here or email countryside@durham.gov.uk

This Winter we have seen our volunteers developing their hedge laying skills. Back in December some of our volunteers un...
04/02/2026

This Winter we have seen our volunteers developing their hedge laying skills. Back in December some of our volunteers undertook training with experienced hedge layer Jasper Prachek. Hedge laying sessions continued throughout January and we have now wrapped up the last of our laying for the year at Crow Trees Nature Reserve. A huge thank you to Jasper for his skill and expertise as well as our volunteers who are keeping this heritage skill alive. Hedge laying has many benefits for wildlife, including providing shelter, nesting sites and food resources.

02/02/2026

If you've been to Hardwick Park lately, you might know that access to the path around the fen carr area is currently closed.

We are preparing a funding application to improve the habitat of the area, suggested improvements are:
🔹The removal of invasive species
🔹Raising the water levels
🔹Creating ponds and opening watercourses to control water flow and quality.

We'd love to hear your views: 👇

📆Deadline for feedback: Monday 16 March
💻 https://letstalkcountydurham.co.uk/en-GB/projects/fen-carr-project-at-hardwick-park

Waldridge Fell Volunteering SessionWe’re hosting volunteering sessions 10am – 12pm on Monday 9th February and Monday 16t...
02/02/2026

Waldridge Fell Volunteering Session

We’re hosting volunteering sessions 10am – 12pm on Monday 9th February and Monday 16th February at Ellen Street Car Park, Waldridge Fell. If you fancy looking after your local area whilst getting some fresh air and exercise why not join our lovely group? Activities include gorse removal and litter picking. All gloves and equipment will be provided. Please email countryside@durham.gov.uk if you are interested in this opportunity.

We love spending time on our lovely nature reserves with our mini Rangers. Today we learned all about Birds and the wi...
28/01/2026

We love spending time on our lovely nature reserves with our mini Rangers. Today we learned all about Birds and the with Cleves Cross Primary and Nursery School🦆🦉🐦🐦‍⬛

27/01/2026

Are you interested in working with us?

If you fancy a career as a Ranger we have a great opportunity to get you started. You have two more days to apply for our Assistant Ranger apprenticeship.

A huge thank you to our regular Wednesday work party volunteers for all their help over recent weeks. 👏This week they we...
23/01/2026

A huge thank you to our regular Wednesday work party volunteers for all their help over recent weeks. 👏

This week they were out in force to undertake valuable cutting back and hedgelaying tasks at Ferryhill Carrs Local Nature Reserve.

Ferryhill Carrs provides a beautiful mix of habitats for wildlife including fen carr, open water, ancient semi-natural woodland, grassland, and scrub. This makes it a valuable haven for wildlife.

We are thrilled to have been able to open up the wetlands on the site recently. This has improved water flow and enhanced habitats suitable for native plants and animals.

Thank you so much to the staff and volunteers for all their hard work at the Carrs over recent months. Your contribution has made a very positive difference to this important nature reserve. 💚👍

Binoculars at the ready! The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is this weekend. Time to spend just one peaceful hour watching an...
22/01/2026

Binoculars at the ready!

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is this weekend. Time to spend just one peaceful hour watching and recording the birds in your garden.

The Big Garden Birdwatch is the world’s largest garden wildlife survey. Taking part helps the RSPB gain valuable information on how garden birds are faring.

For further information and to sign up visit:
https://tinyurl.com/4nj5kmzb

21/01/2026

It's Squirrel Appreciation Day and we have an important message!

Did you know that Red Squirrels are endangered? They are protected from damage or disturbance by the UK Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and are very rare in England.

People love to capture photographs of these beautiful creatures but we need to be careful to do this while still protecting them.

Top tips for taking photographs of beautiful red squirrels safely:

🐿Please do not enter a squirrel's space to take photos. They thrive when undisturbed by humans.
🐿Barriers and signage are there for a reason. If there is a barrier asking you not to cross it, you can still get great shots from behind.
🐿You can still take fabulous photographs with the light in front of you as well as behind. Use the light to your advantage rather than risk disturbing the delicate areas where reds live to alter the light direction.
🐿Props are NOT ok to use with protected wildlife such as the reds. Use what is there already.
🐿Do not be tempted to attract your subject by using bait, recorded calls and/or scene setting.

Thank you to Heather Lawrence for letting us use her photographs and top tips for this post.

We have been running an information event at Pow Hill Country Park top car park today talking to people about how we can protect red squirrels in the North. Can you follow our top tips and share them to make a positive difference?

20/01/2026

Have you joined us for a winter walk yet? Discover our popular guided walks through the beautiful countryside of County Durham.

Here are some of the highlights coming up, with a range of distances to suit everyone.

📅Wednesday 28 January, 10am
🚶Dipton, Pontop and Bradley - 9.5 miles

📅Friday 13 February, 10am
🚶‍♂️Red Kytes and Pots of Gold - 7.5 miles

📅Sunday 22 February, 10am
🚶Exploring Elvet - 2.5 miles

Each walk costs £4, which includes local history information!

Find more routes and information on how to prepare for the walks: http://durham.gov.uk/guidedwalks

There are also free weekly wellbeing walks taking place!

Whether you're looking to improve your fitness, clear your mind, or just enjoy a friendly stroll, everyone is welcome — no matter your age or fitness level. Visit Move County Durham for more details.

We are recruiting! 🎉Apprentice Assistant Ranger Are you interested in nature? Do you love engaging with local communitie...
19/01/2026

We are recruiting! 🎉

Apprentice Assistant Ranger

Are you interested in nature? Do you love engaging with local communities and want to make a real difference to County Durham's wildlife and biodiversity? Then a Countryside Ranger apprenticeship could be for you!

For all the details on how to apply please visit:
https://www.northeastjobs.org.uk/job/Apprentice_Assistant_Ranger/290865

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch returns on 23 January. Are you ready to help count birds in your area? You just need to re...
16/01/2026

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch returns on 23 January. Are you ready to help count birds in your area? You just need to record the birds you see for 1 hour. What a great way to help local wildlife!

Address

Countryside Service, Neighbourhoods
Durham
DH15UL

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

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