Avon Needs Trees is a registered charity creating new, permanent woodland throughout the Bristol-Avon catchment to fight the climate and ecological emergencies. Since its foundation in 2019, ANT has embarked on two ambitious projects in the Chew Valley:

Great Avon Wood – a 100-acre plot near Pensford where 40,000 trees are going to be planted and cared for.

Lower Chew Forest – 420 acre new woodland creation project between Bristol and Bath, which will see 100,000 trees planted alongside the creation of hedgerows and species-rich grassland.

Volunteering opportunities with ANT 

CPRE believes in countryside and green spaces that are accessible to all, rich in nature and playing a crucial role in responding to the climate emergency.  Hedgerows provide the vital connectivity between the patchwork of habitats in the Chew Valley.

Become a Hedgerow Hero or get involved with CPRE activities

Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) is a charity that delivers education, land and river management advice and practical river restoration work throughout the Bristol Avon catchment. BART are always looking for volunteers to help them improve the health of our rivers, including the Chew and its tributaries.

You can also find out about BART Beacons – every day river heroes to help us protect and restore the rivers of the Bristol Avon. 

Volunteers can help in river restoration work and water quality sampling. 

The Community Farm is a not-for-profit, organic farm that delivers nourishing food across the local area.  Every year they welcome over 1,500 people for well-being courses, social events and volunteering sessions on their beautiful site overlooking the Chew Valley Lake.

Avon Wildlife Trust is committed to enabling wildlife to survive and thrive across the Chew Valley and wider Avon region. More than 17,000 members, 650 volunteers and a dedicated staff team work together to make our local area wilder and make nature part of life, for everyone.

As well as improving your physical, and mental wellbeing, volunteering is a great way to enhance your CV, support study and gain valuable skills.

More Trees BANES is a charity that collects seed from local ancient and semi-natural woodlands which they then process, stratify and sow in their Hub. Once seedlings are ready to leave the Hub they are grown on into saplings in a network of community tree nurseries before being planted locally.  Since its foundation in 2008, the charity has planted around 11,000 trees in Bath and North Somerset. 

There’s a variety of regular and ad hoc volunteering opportunities throughout the year evolving around our Central Hub, Community Tree Nurseries and the community.

Avon Reptile and Amphibian Group (ARAG) seeks to promote reptile and amphibian conservation throughout the Chew Valley and wider Avon region. It seeks to achieve these aims through surveys, undertaking conservation projects and by organising regular toad patrols in the early months of each year.

Find out how to get involved with toad patrols