Green careers and volunteer opportunities in the UK!

• Mar. 21 by Katie Graczyk (2)

Have you ever considered a career in the environmental area or wanted to volunteer for a green event but didn’t know where to start?  Although it isn’t conservation specific, (there are conservation jobs available though!) it is worth mentioning where to begin if you’re interested in green careers/volunteer work.  One good starting point is environmentjob.co.uk.  This site has job/volunteer opportunities in several different areas including:

• Conservation
• Environmental campaigning
• Renewable energy
• Energy efficiency
• Recycling
• Ecology
• Environmental education
• Food, farming and organics
• Sustainability
• Sustainable transport
• Climate Change

Several different jobs are offered including ones that are fixed term contracts as well as temporary.  You can also sign up for email notifications for jobs, courses and events.  They also offer websites links for several other environmental based websites and additional websites which offer eco jobs!

Sometimes it can also be beneficial if you are looking for an environmental career to begin by volunteering.  It gets your foot in the door and shows the commitment you have to this area.  The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) also has several opportunities for volunteering and general information on Consevation in the UK.  Under their volunteer section you’ll find six different categories-

• BTCV Offices-Where the closest one is to you and what opportunities they have
• BTCV Green Gym-A scheme to improve your health and the environment at the same time through guided practical projects outdoors!
• Under 25- A section dedicated to getting more youths involved in green volunteering
• Holidays-200 different holidays which are all environmentally inspired and get their participants involved, busy, having fun, and improving the landscape!
• Get More Involved- Evolve into a leader in the volunteering area.  Allows you to help-organize, lead, develop, support and promote projects!
• Employee Volunteering- Involves working with businesses and their employees to increase social, economic and environmental benefits.

Visit their page to learn how to become a volunteer!

There are several ways to get involved in a green volunteering event or career!  Hopefully this has helped demonstrate some beginning points to be a green worker in whatever way you chose!