British Trust for Conservation Volunteers  is a charity set up in 1959. It has a successful history of environmental conservation volunteering throughout the UK and around the world. As a charity, BTCV is almost entirely reliant on voluntary donations. The work they do is only made possible by people like you - people who want to make a difference to their community and environment.

BTCV’s main aims are to sustain environmental improvement. A healthy environment and improved biodiversity is at the heart of all BTCV's activities. BTCV is sensitive to people's needs, their environmental awareness, personal values and beliefs, and is striving to be accessible to all. On individual and community empowerment, BTCV inspires people to fulfil their potential.

BTCV has a history of partnership working with the Council, including the WildDerby Project. 

BTCV Vision
A better environment where people are valued, included and involved.

BTCV Mission
To create a more sustainable future by inspiring people and improving places.

There are several ways you can get involved from Green Gyms, to conservation holidays, to helping us as a Volunteer Officer, or going out with the Biodiversity Action Team (BAT), to work on nature reserves and greenspaces to improve places all over Derby and Derbyshire.

 

WildDerby

WildDerby is a Derby City Council initiative, which aims to undertake a variety of projects to enhance the city's urban countryside. New wildlife habitats such as woodland, ponds and wildflower meadows have been created. WildDerby is about positive action for wildlife in Derby, for the benefit of local people. The partners in this work include British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, Derby City Council, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Groundwork Derby & Derbyshire, RSPB, Natural England  and many local groups. 

WildDerby also helps community groups and schools undertake projects that improve Derby's biodiversity. Wildlife webcams have been set up. Hedgerows, ponds and ancient trees in the city have been surveyed because they are important to the city’s wildlife.

BTCV are proud to be working with WildDerby. We work together because wildlife in the city matters.

Biodiversity Action Team - BAT

BTCV’s Derbyshire Biodiversity Action Team engages volunteers in practical conservation tasks around Derbyshire. They are organised and managed by trained BTCV leaders and volunteers can take part in projects such as hedgelaying, dry stonewalling, fence building or footpath construction. The Biodiversity Action Team run tasks every Tuesday and Thursday and is open to any volunteer over the age of 18. The minibus departs Derby City Centre at 9.30am from the waterfall at the Market Square and we aim to be back in Derby City Centre by 4.30pm. Volunteers will work in all weather conditions, so we ask that you bring suitable warm and wet weather clothing. Also we ask that volunteers bring lunch with them. BTCV will provide tea and biscuits.

Derby Wildlife Area Support Project – WASP

British Trust for Conservation Volunteers  and Derby City Council are working with local groups and volunteers to carry out practical conservation work on local nature reserves in Derby. BTCV will provide practical leadership and advice on land management issues, tools and will also assist with recruiting volunteers, and provide volunteers on larger tasks. This work is to support several 'Friends of' Groups to work on sites such as Allestree Park, West Park Meadows, Chellaston Brickworks, Sunnydale Park, Markeaton Brook, Darley Tip and various ponds around Derby. To get involved in any of the work or groups, please contact BTCV Derby for more information.

Conservation Holidays

BTCV Conservation Holidays offer practical understanding and application of conservation techniques. The conservation holidays allow you to meet people you would not normally meet and do things you did not think you could do. Sure, you'll need to spend the days doing some physical work, but in return the stress and routine of your normal everyday life will be washed away and replaced by beautiful scenery. Holidays take place in different areas of Derbyshire including the White and Dark Peak, and tasks include:

• constructing fences and countryside furniture (benches, footpaths, stiles) 
• drystone walling
• tree felling.

For details see the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers  website.

Osmaston Green Gym

The Green Gym is about healthy people and healthy places. At the Osmaston Green Gym, people meet up and work together on improving Osmaston Park. Physical activities such as tree planting get people fit, while the teamwork and sociability help to keep up motivation. Local nature benefits too, leading to healthier people and a healthier planet. Sessions take place every Tuesday from 10am to 12:30pm and 1.30pm to 4pm and Thursday afternoon from 1pm to 4pm. If you would like to join them on the day, then please call 01332 772769 to arrange a place.

Volunteer Officer - VO

Most of BTCV's work gives opportunities for Volunteer Officers to help us achieve more. It is a key policy of all our work to involve volunteers in helping to run the organisation. Volunteer Officers are people who offer a regular amount of time to work with BTCV. Volunteer Officers, or VOs, help to organise BTCV and its projects, so that more people can get involved. VOs can be office based, site based or home based. VO opportunities include:

• organising project work
• raising money
• promoting the organisation
• advising projects
• training project leaders
• leading UK and International Conservation Holidays.

To see the list of Volunteer Officer vacancies, please go to the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers  website and click on opportunities. Or contact BTCV Derby Office.

 

Derwent Green Gym

The national award winning Derwent Green Gym is now run by a committee of volunteers. For contact details, visit the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers - East Midlands Green Gyms.

Contact information for BTCV Derby

BTCV Derby
Suite 22
Chester Court
Alfreton Road
Derby
DE21 4AF

Telephone 01332 348591  British Trust for Conservation Volunteers website   Email derbyshire@btcv.org.uk