Nationally, the Forestry Commission has the support of thousands of volunteers and without their help much of the work we do, from improving and enhancing habitats to running events and learning programmes, would not be possible. Here's the information if you're interested in joining our volunteers in the Lake District.
We have a growing number of volunteers who assist staff in nearly every area of work, so there is a wide range of opportunities to get involved in, from interpreting the forest to our visitors to helping maintain the network of walking trails or unlocking the past by helping us develop our arts archive.
Roles are expanding all the time, often in response to the interests of our volunteers and the amount of their time they can gift to us. We are currently developing more clearly defined roles and we will post them here soon. If you would like to find out more or have any questions, please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The team at Grizedale Mountain Bikes, with support from the Forestry Commission recreation ranger, is leading a group of volunteer bike trail builders. They have constructed the new black downhill trail section and will be involved in ongoing trail maintenance and development. For more information, contact Lee at Grizedale Mountain Bikes on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (for trail building use only) or call 01229860335
The Friends of Whinlatter is a group of volunteers who work with the Whinlatter ranger team to help look after the forest. They get involved in different activities from mountain bike trail maintenance and squirrel surveying to tree planting and dry stone walling.
The replanting of native oak trees and the building of the new walking trail through the trees – Words in the Woods – was done by Friends of Whinlatter members, with support and specialist help coming from the Whinlatter ranger team
Anyone who has an interest in helping to take care of Whinlatter Forest and learn new skills can join in – no previous experience is required, as all necessary training is given. You can choose to get involved in one or many of the activities on offer. A regular newsletter is sent out to the group with details of upcoming dates and activities and details are posted on this site too.
To join the group, please email
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. If you’d like to have a chat to find out more, please call 017687 78613.
For details of all the upcoming events, visit the Friends of Whinlatter page
Visit lakeland forests is a partnership website by the Forestry Commission with the Cafe in the Forest at Grizedale, Whinlatter Siskins Cafe, Cyclewise Whinlatter, Grizedale Mountain Bikes & Go Ape.
