Tree Seed Collection Volunteer

We are the UKs largest woodland conservation charity.

Our vision is a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature.

As one of our seed collection volunteers, you will collect seeds from native trees for use in Woodland Trust woodland creation activity, either on our own sites or on projects we are supporting. Sometimes you will attend organised surveys and collections run by your volunteer manager or organised by your lead seed collection volunteer, whereas on other occasions you may carry out surveys and collections on your own once you have received the relevant training.

Your collected seeds will either be sent on for processing, or in some cases you may be involved with processing and growing on the seeds at local tree nurseries.

• Visiting sites with your volunteer manager, or with other volunteers, or on your own, to identify tree species and locations for seed collection
• Seasonal monitoring of trees to review when seeds are in optimum condition for collection
• Collection of tree seeds using the kit provided
• Simple processing of seeds and posting on to the relevant recipient location for ongoing processing, storage, and planting
• Volunteering in small tree nurseries (either on Woodland Trust sites or partner commercial or community nurseries) to help out with sowing of seed and maintenance of the trees grown from the collected seed
• Operating within our Volunteer Charter, policies, procedures, and guidelines
• As part of your role, you will need to log all the hours you volunteer through Assemble, your volunteering website, either on the desktop version or the mobile app
• Work within the risk assessment provided by your volunteer manager

• Interest in native trees and a willingness to learn. Training on seed collection provided
• A basic knowledge of native tree identification, although training will be provided
• A good attention to detail is needed in terms of careful collection and processing of seed
• An ability to work on your own initiative to initiate and carry out collections that are not run by your volunteer manager or lead volunteer
• A sensible regard for health and safety