The Lynchmere Society largely operates through the passion and dedication of our volunteers. 
Week after week, local people of all ages roll up their sleeves to help us care for this rare and beautiful landscape, safeguarding it for wildlife and for future generations.

Much of our work focuses on restoring and improving the existing heathland. We carefully control the spread of invasive and fast‑growing species such as rhododendron, birch, gorse and bracken, all of which can quickly overwhelm the delicate balance of this habitat. By selectively removing these plants, we create space and light for the heather and associated heathland flora to thrive once again.

​The cleared vegetation is usually burnt on site in carefully managed fires. This traditional technique not only removes excess plant material, it also helps to keep soil fertility low – the ideal condition for heathlands, where specialist plants and animals depend on nutrient‑poor, open ground.

​Through this hands‑on, practical management, our volunteers play a vital role in keeping the heathland healthy, diverse and vibrant.

Volunteering events

Ongoing volunteering opportunities

​Why volunteer with The Lynchmere Society?

We hope our story of conserving a rare habitat, linking back with our medieval ancestors, helping to mitigate climate change, and providing a landscape that nurtures both body and soul will inspire you to get involved.

Being part of this journey will increase your knowledge about the landscape and environment, help you learn new skills needed to maintain the land, be inspiration for your artistic creativity, help you meet like-minded people and be both physically and mentally stimulating.

We’re proud to be doing our bit in the national effort to restore and protect this one‑of‑a‑kind habitat—and we’d love for you to be part of it too.

What tasks do volunteers help with?

There are a variety of different tasks, some heavy, but others just needing a pair of strong snippers and stout gardening gloves. Our Sunday gatherings, mostly commence at 10.00am and finish about 12.30pm having had a good bonfire and a feeling of being well-exercised. 

​The work is as light or as heavy as you care to make it and there is certainly no obligation to attend each time – we are grateful for any help you can give.

Register as a volunteer today

You can volunteer with us by getting stuck into practical conservation work or by doing surveys and other less strenuous administrative tasks. Everyone is welcome and you don't need to be a member to volunteer. Register here and we can inform you of coming events and opportunities.

Call for volunteer leaders

Yearly volunteering conservation cycle

We have Winter works in October through February, the rest of the year is broken down into Spring, Summer and Autumn activities​

Winter works are the last Sunday of the winter months, except December. There is no need to book a session, just come along, gloves and tools in hand, bring your friends and family. Check the website close to the time for locations and details.

Spring, Summer and Autumn activities begin in March; the focus moves onto other conservation activities, generally leaving the fields and commons to prosper with as little human intervention as possible. This year, we will be trialing Tuesday night socials where we work to keep footpaths open. Combining socializing with practical conservation work

The volunteering activities can be in the form of walk and talks or workshops. There will be days dedicated to Bracken clearance in areas close to footpaths; so as not to disturb nesting birds. In August, there are several sessions, called last minute, based on the weather conditions for haymaking. We also usually host a late Summer BBQ, before the cycle begins again with Winter works in October.

Along side land management and throughout the year we continue to work on our 17th Century barn; called Mare Barn and the pond redevelopment.

Volunteering event details are usually emailed to members, volunteers, posted on Facebook and this website. Also, watch out for posters on the society's noticeboards.

If you would like to help with any of these tasks please register.

Our volunteer lead Habitat Survey

Bruce, Sue and several volunteers have commenced annual surveys. If you are interested, please read on and register.

Mare Barn
A poem written by Jon Lissimore

Rough stones and brickwork strong
Peacefully hold vast timbers long
Harboured deep in fields and trees
A brief home for nesting bees
A place for rural crafting
Where volunteers enjoy the grafting

To stem the damp we dug a trench,
While Bob constructed a wooden bench,
A work of art, not mere utility
Demonstrating his sublime ability
While Neil champions his woodland skills
To enable peoples learning thrills
We love the cows that roam the pastures
Managed by such caring masters

We thank Mr Tibbs creation
So many peoples dedication
And celebrate the Burkitt’s legacy
Enabling endless outdoor therapy
There’s bucolic nostalgia if that’s what you’re after
And knots and crinkles in every rafter
There’s community action and goodwill
Frankly it’s just really brill!

​The Lynchmere volunteers fighting the good fight against invasive species on the commons

Corporate volunteering

If there are organisation who would like to volunteer as part of their environment, social and governance policies we’d love to hear from you.

Email: Mike McCart
Mobile: 07931 730020
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South Downs National Park Volunteers in Stanley Heath

Get emails and stay updated

We only plan to send several emails a year, with event information, volunteering dates and local conservation stories. ​
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Photography by Peter Searight. The Remarkable Studio
Become a Member
Help preserve and maintain our Commons