The Task
WoodWatch is a campaign empowering people to take effective action to protect the woods and trees that are important in their community. Think 'Neighbourhood Watch', only for woods and trees - In fact, think neighbourwood Watch!
Once planning applications that will put our Ancient Woodlands under threat are identified, we need to gather our evidence and formulate cases as quickly and efficiently as possible. We need your help to support our Woods under Threat team and our WoodWatch groups across the UK in fighting the potential threats at an earlier stage than when the chainsaws crank up.
You will be putting together the best case possible that will support the Woodland Trust’s fight against any further loss of ancient woodland, ancient trees or loss of valuable native woodland.
Timescale
½ day per week (ongoing)
Location
- Home-working, with training held at different location across the UK – approx 3 p.a.
Experience Required/Desired
- Familiar with the current planning system
- Proven communication skills for liaising with Local Authorities/Councillors/etc in relation to gathering evidence
- Able to understand maps, planning documents, etc
- Able to carry out research and apply local evidence, knowledge, etc
- Being comfortable with planning ‘jargon’ is desired
- Some knowledge of woodland legislation would be helpful to this role
- A professional qualification relevant to the planning system would be a big bonus!
Qualities Required
- Good attention to detail
- Good written communication skills
- Team player
- PC savvy
- An understanding of the value woods and trees bring to the environments we live in
- A passion for preventing further loss of ancient woodland
- Personable and able to extract information from authoritative figures and/or fellow organisations with a vested interest in the development concerned
Key Duties
• Respond to planning proposals and developments identified as a threat to ancient woods and native trees within your designated counties
• Scrutinize written material accurately and in a measured style, to Woods under Threat criteria
• Work with the Woodwatch Campaigner identifying evidence/detail gathering required to support a case, working to deadlines
• Liaise with the Woodwatch Campaigner on a weekly basis, updating on research progress case by case and discussing next phase developments
• Requesting information from appropriate authorities (including Local Authorities, planning service, fellow NGO’s) on behalf of the Woodland Trust
• Work with volunteer community groups (Woodwatch Affiliates) who are campaigning on behalf of the Woodland Trust, offering advice in case evidence gathering as directed by the Woodwatch Campaigner
Expenses
You will be reimbursed for any out of pocket expenses (receipts required), on phone calls, postage or photocopying/printing up to a maximum of £50 per quarter. Any amounts in excess of this or for other items should be agreed with your task manager prior to expenditure.
Travel costs to a site, local authority or venue and to agreed meetings and training days with Woodland Trust staff will be reimbursed at our standard mileage rate or the full cost of standard class public transport.
Application Form
If you meet the pre-requisites above and wish to be considered for this role, please complete the volunteer application form and a member of the volunteer development team will contact you.