The Woodland Trust are the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity. Their vision is a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, and they work to protect woods and trees, preventing the loss of irreplaceable habitat, nature and carbon stores for a healthier future for everyone.

But they need your help! The Woodland Trust want to hear from young people like you who are passionate about nature, the climate, and how environmental policy is constructed and funded.

This volunteering workshop invites you to travel to a woodland in Greater Manchester (transport provided!) and work with the Trust to care for trees.

We will be travelling to the Smithills Estate near Bolton by minibus after meeting on the Manchester Metropolitan Campus outside the Dalton Building on Chester Street. As we have limited places on the bus please tell us why you love trees or are interested in finding out more about environmental protection.

You can find a more detailed description of the workshop below:

Session description: 

Tree Tube Removal at the Woodland Trusts’ Smithills Estate 

Since 2018, over 90,000 trees have been planted at the Woodland Trusts’ Smithills Estate, and many of these need their protective tubes removed. We are now looking for volunteers to help with this next step in the establishment of the Northern Forest! 

This is a great opportunity to support the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity on its biggest site in England. It’s also a chance to get outdoors and see the estate’s landscape mosaic of woodland, grassland, moorland, and farmland, along with the famous Winter Hill mast – a refreshing contrast to central Manchester. 

For anyone interested in green careers, this is a practical way to learn about habitat management, the Trusts role in the Northern Forest initiative and how this promotes nature recovery and climate resilience. You will also have the chance to discuss volunteer pathways into the conservation sector and learn about opportunities like the Youth Content Creation programme, Youth Councils, and practical working groups. 

No experience is needed. Suitable clothing for the weather and outdoor working is recommended. The event will consist of one hour of tree tube removal and one hour of a guided walk with breaks provided. Please note that tree tube removal will take place off path. 

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