There are many opportunities for volunteering in and around the Forest of Bowland and there are several organisations that will welcome you and, in some cases, offer training depending on your aims and plans. Which organisation you approach will depend on what you want to get out of volunteering and the level of commitment you wish to give. 
People volunteer for a whole variety of reasons. Young people may want to get experience and training to help build a CV and help them into a paid job in the environmental sector. Older people may be looking for a career change into the environmental sector. Other people have specific interests and concerns eg birds, bats, butterflies, wild flowers. Other people just want to be sociable, get fitter, stay active and/or meet new friends and help the environment.
If you want to volunteer regularly and/or build a better CV for a paid job in the environmental sector then look at the section on Regular Volunteering
The Forest of Bowland AONB team sometimes has volunteering opportunities available, generally linked to specific projects. Take a look at the "Current Opportunities" section below to find out what is available at the moment or have a look at the opportunities with the newly formed Friends of Bowland group.

NEW: Current Opportunities 

Gisburn Forest Trail Building

If you would like to join them please email John Swift jon [dot] swift [at] pmba [dot] org [dot] uk  

Hedgerow Planting

500 metres of hedgerow to be planted at Chipping Moss, Leagram, Nr Chipping village before mid April:  Can you help?
If so please contact Tarja [dot] wilson [at] lancashire [dot] gov [dot] uk   01200 44800  07887 830853

Bowland in Bloom

In May this year, the Forest of Bowland AONB joined forces with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust to fund Hay Time – a hay meadow restoration project here in Bowland.  The project offers lots of opportunities to get involved, from wildflower surveys to seed propagation and plug planting.  You can even learn to scythe!
For more information about volunteering with the Hay Time project, contact Sarah Robinson on 01200 448000 or email sarah [dot] robinson [at] lancashire [dot] gov [dot] uk