Our Green Teams have been running since 1982. They are one of our longest-running programmes, delivered by amazing volunteers who carry out practical habitat management in Epping Forest, led by our Conservation Officers
While some of our volunteers have been with us for many years, and volunteer regularly, we always welcome new volunteers, and people who are only able to volunteer on a one-off or ad hoc basis. We are part of TCV, the Conservation Volunteers.
Who is it for?
- Are you interested in nature and would like to have a go at practical habitat management activities?
- Do you have volunteer days at work, and would like to make a positive impact on the environment?
- Love the outdoors, and would like to improve your health and well-being in this wonderful ancient Forest?
- Over 18?
If so, then our hands-on conservation sessions are for you!
We welcome people from all backgrounds and walks of life. The sessions are led by one of our Conservation Officers, with the full support of the City of London Corporation. Whether it is your first time having a go at conservation work, or you are more experienced, join us and to help conserve Epping Forest and its biodiversity.
Tools, personal protective equipment, and training is provided for each session.
Our Conservation Officers
We have two conservation officers, Nick and Robyn, who lead the conservation sessions on different days in the week. Whether you are looking for a one-off volunteering session, or would like to attend on a more regular basis, they will be delighted to welcome you, and be very grateful for your help.
To join one of our conservation volunteering sessions please follow the relevant links below for dates and registration details.
Nick
Nick joined EFHT in 2015. As an environmental scientist, he has over 30 years of parks and conservation experience from managing canal restoration and environmental educational at Lea Rivers Trust from 1991-2000 and Newham’s parks and allotments 2000-2015.
Nick designs our conservation work to be an enjoyable experience for our volunteers whilst both protecting the ancient Forest habitats and including measures to adapt to the changing climate.
Nick leads our regular volunteer conservation sessions in the Forest on following days
- Thursdays – Green Team of adult volunteers
- Fridays – our Happy Lopper group of adults with learning disabilities.
Robyn
Robyn joined EFHT in June 2023 and her work has a special focus on increasing the number of women and people from diverse backgrounds in our hands-on activities to conserve the Forest, thanks to the funding support from the City Bridge Foundation..
Robyn has over 10 years of experience in community engagement projects and conservation work with particular experience supporting vulnerable adults.
Robyn leads adult hands-on conservation sessions, women’s* sessions (*for women, non-binary, and trans people), and community collaboration projects. Her sessions are usually on:
- Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Autumn/Winter 2024 Dates and registration link
Below are our dates for Autumn/Winter 2024, and follow the relevant link to join
| Date | Day | Conservation Officer | Session Notes & registration link |
| 30 August 2024 | Friday | Robyn | Register here |
| 31 August 2024 | Saturday | Robyn | Women* |
| 5 Sep 2024 | Wednesday | Robyn | Register here |
| 12 Sep 2024 | Thursday | Nick | Register here |
| 19 Sep 2024 | Thursday | Nick | Register here |
| 26 Sep 2024 | Thursday | Nick | Register here |
| 27 Sep 2024 | Friday | Robyn | Register here |
| 28 Sep 2024 | Saturday | Robyn | Women * |
| 3 Oct 2024 | Thursday | Nick | Register here |
| 4 Oct 2024 | Friday | Robyn | Register here |
| 10 Oct 2024 | Thursday | Nick | Register here |
| 11 Oct 2024 | Friday | Robyn | Register here |
| 17 Oct 2024 | Thursday | Nick | Register here |
| 18 Oct 2024 | Friday | Robyn | Register here |
| 24 Oct 2024 | Thursday | Nick | Register here |
| 25 Oct 2024 | Friday | Robyn | Register here |
| 26 Oct 2024 | Saturday | Robyn | Women * |
| 1 Nov 2024 | Friday | Robyn | Register here |
| 7 Nov 2024 | Thursday | Nick | Register here |
| 8 Nov 2024 | Friday | Robyn | Register here |
| 14 Nov 2024 | Thursday | Nick | Register here |
| 15 Nov 2024 | Friday | Robyn | Register here |
| 21 Nov 2024 | Thursday | Nick | Register here |
| 22 Nov 2024 | Friday | Robyn | Register here |
| 28 Nov 2024 | Thursday | Nick | Register here |
| 30 Nov 2024 | Saturday | Robyn | Women * |
| 5 Dec 2024 | Thursday | Nick | Register here |
| 12 Dec 2024 | Thursday | Nick | Register here |
* For women, non-binary and trans people
Frequently Asked Questions
Please see the FAQs below. If you have any further questions, or for specific enquiries, please email us at: admin@efht.org.uk. Please allow a few days for us to get back to you.
What are the tasks?
We tend to work in small areas where a sensitive and delicate approach is essential. Whether it is your first time, or you are more experienced, you can help us conserve Epping Forest and its biodiversity.
Tasks may include, but are not limited to
- Coppicing young trees to allow more light onto the Forest floor
- Clearing dense Holly growth to allow light to reach the Forest floor, helping to re-establish plant and animal life
- Removing small Hawthorn, Silver birch and other young trees to open up precious grassland
- Using what we have cut to create habitat piles for small animals and reptiles.
What days of the week do you run sessions?
- Our regular Green Team sessions are led by Nick and run every Thursdays (except school holidays)
- Robyn leads her conservation volunteering days including women’s* sessions on Wednesdays, Fridays and occasional Saturdays.
What time does it start and how long it will be?
- Nick’s Thursday sessions start at 9am, and usually finish around 2.30pm
- Robyn’s sessions usually start at 10am, and finish around 2.30pm
Where do we meet and where will the sessions take place?
Sessions take place in various parts of Epping Forest. We work closely with City of London Epping Forest team, who owns and manages the Forest to decide the sites we will be working on.
We usually meet at Loughton / Chingford / Woodford area in the morning, collect tools and equipment, and then travel to the Forest location together as a group. Please refer to individual sessions for details of the meeting place.
I've never done anything like this before, can I still join?
Absolutely! We welcome people from all backgrounds and walks of life to join us. No previous experience required. The conservation session will be led by one of our Conservation Officers, and tools and trainings and necessary protective equipemnt will be provided.
Do you do corporate volunteering days for a group of people?
Yes we do.
We welcome organisations who want to do team-building activities while making a positive impact to environment and help improve the biodiversity of Epping Forest! Please visit our Corporate Volunteering Day page to find out more.
What our volunteers say…
Loved being in the forest today, actively learning about how to manage the woodland and protect its legacy. A small group, with clear instructions given by a friendly and very knowledgeable conservation officer made the it a great experience.
I grew up in Epping Forest and have a deep love of the natural environment here. It was fantastic to learn more about why conservation is important and gain new skills working with the hand saw to coppice silver birch. I would definitely recommend.
It was so rewarding spending a day helping to maintain a small area of Epping Forest. I met some lovely people, enjoyed a good physical workout and learned loads about how the local biodiversity is managed and nurtured. I can’t wait to come back again and would highly recommend this type of hands-on volunteering to others.