Second Sunday Volunteering - Help the Rangers look after Haytor

Get active on Dartmoor this Sunday by joining Ranger Bill in restoring and maintaining the stunning Haytor area!  

Following last months successful task, we will be cutting and clearing burnt gorse stems ('black sticks') that are left behind after an area has been 'swaled' (managed burning of the moorland vegetation). This not only makes the burn area look better, it also improves the access and allows for regeneration of new plant growth.  

The work will take place on Sunday 12 May, starting from Haytor Visitor Centre at 10:30am and finishing before 3pm.  

All tools and gloves as well as tea, coffee and biscuits are provided. This is a messy job so please wear old clothes and foot wear that are suitable for the weather on the day. Please bring your own packed lunch.  

Want to help out? If you are interested in coming along, please email Ranger Bill at ballen@dartmoor.gov.uk. Booking is essential as tools and equipment need to be organised.  

The Benefits

Conservation work days are a great way of getting healthy exercise in a fantastic environment and meeting like-minded people, as well as helping look after this special place. You will also learn more about Dartmoor's industrial and prehistoric archaeology, wildlife habitats, rare species and moorland management.  

'We love all the tasks. Even uncovering Bronze Age cairns in the wind and snow! That's why we keep on coming back!' - Jo, Second Sunday Volunteer  

Our Volunteer Days

The first volunteer day, on 10 January 2016, saw volunteers working with Rangers and Ecologists on a site close to the National Park Visitor Centre at Haytor where the bog hoverfly, one of Dartmoor's rarest insects, has made a home. Since then the Ranger team have worked with volunteers to benefit butterflies in the Becka Brook valley and carried out a large maintenance project on the Haytor granite tramway, as well as making repairs to the reservoir leat.  For those who come along regularly there is plenty of variety, with practical work being carried out on habitat management and archaeological sites as well as helping keep this iconic Dartmoor location looking good.