Volunteer with Brilliant Butterflies

Would you like to play a part in helping important pollinators to thrive?

80% of Britain’s chalk grassland has been lost since 1945. Up to 40 plant species - including orchids and wildflowers – can grow in a square metre of typical British chalk grassland - attracting insects, rare butterflies and birds.

Volunteer with us on our Brilliant Butterflies project and learn more about the importance of chalk grasslands and how we can work together to restore them.

You’ll get the chance to work alongside specialist scientists and learn new skills in nature conservation, habitat management, species identification, surveying or community engagement. All whilst working outdoors in the fresh air, surrounded by the sights, sounds and smells of nature!

There are multiple options for volunteering depending on what interests you the most and your availability, there’s something for everyone. You can pick one type of activity or multiple, it’s totally up to you.

Volunteer roles available

Chalk grassland restoration / butterfly bank creation

Volunteer raking on West Kent Golfcourse — Daniel Greenwood

Working alongside nature conservationists you will be restoring existing chalk grassland - getting the space ready in which wildflowers will bloom and in turn provide delicious food for butterflies and other insects. There's lots to learn about habitat management and nature conservation and you'll encounter plenty of wildlife out and about.

Butterfly Champions

Marbled white butterfly at Hutcinson's Bank credit Matthew Rich

We want to know how butterflies are faring across south Croydon and Bromley – in gardens, school grounds, local parks and road verges. We need an army of local butterfly champions to identify and record the butterflies on their patch. Through Brilliant Butterflies, Butterfly Conservation will be providing training opportunities to equip you with the right skills to help us, whether you are a complete beginner or already have some knowledge. No matter how much or little time you have to give, all records are a valued contribution and you will be amazed at how much enjoyment can come from putting a name to a butterfly as it whizzes past you. You’ll be hooked on brilliant butterflies!

Big bug hunts

Boy searching for bugs using magnifying glass — David Tipling

COMING SOON
You will be working with Natural History Museum where you will help Museum staff with invertebrate monitoring using traditional survey techniques and environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis

Scientific surveying and monitoring

Person looking through microscope — Hayley Bray

COMING SOON
You will work alongside ecologists to help contribute to the development of new national collections and a DNA reference library for UK wildlife, using pioneering survey analysis technology.

Social butterfly volunteers

Young people at at LWT event — Abigail March

COMING SOON
As the name suggests you will be out and about speaking to local residents at Brilliant Butterflies events such as guided walks, activity days, craft sessions, school sessions, wildflower workshops, butterfly workshops, family drop-in events and more.

Volunteering Days

Our current volunteering schedule for chalk grassland restoration in south Croydon is as follows:

Tuesdays
Wednesdays
Fridays
Some weekends - please enquire for more info

11am - 3.30pm

Get in touch to find out more and register as a volunteer using the form below (make sure to tick the right box!) or call Anna on 07964951963