Help look after the Water of Leith. Volunteers carry out practical conservation tasks along the river and walkway in conjunction with City of Edinburgh Council Natural Heritage Service. This could be a river clean-up, tree or wildflower planting, meadow cutting, invasive plant control (May-July), vegetation control, footpath maintenance. Children of all ages are welcome if supervised by an adult.

The Seven Lochs Conservation Volunteers meet every Friday to do practical habitat management work and wildlife surveys with the Seven Lochs Wetland Park area.

Come and help us record and monitor the plants and animals in the Seven Lochs Wetland Park. No experience necessary, just an enthusiasm for nature. Volunteers will have the opportunity to take part in a range of surveys. Over the winter we do bird surveys, in spring we do amphibian surveying and as the weather becomes warmer, we will move onto bee and butterfly surveys. We run training sessions before each survey starts so that you will know exactly what you are doing. All courses are suitable for complete beginners. If you are still not confident in carrying out a survey after receiving training, we can buddy you up with a more experienced volunteer. We would also love to hear from you if you have a particular area of expertise and would like to be a volunteer mentor. Please also let us know if there is a particular species you would like to survey. We will try our best to support you and arrange relevant training if needed.

To assist the Rangers in conserving, enhancing and promoting the appropriate use and enjoyment of the area. Duties include habitat improvement and restoration, Removal of invasive and non-native species, Practical maintenance on fences, signposts, gates and paths and opportunities to be involved in species surveying and recording. This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who enjoys working outdoors on a variety of tasks.

This will involve accompanying patients from the hospital ward into the garden, and helping lead group sessions that could include other volunteers and visitors, as well as one-to-one sessions if required. This will involve providing feedback to the Garden Coordinator, as well as staff from the hospital. The role will require flexibility, so that if a patient does not feel like doing structured activity, or wishes to spend time in a quiet space relaxing or simply enjoying being outside in a green environment, that is as important as completing an agreed task. Training in both horticultural skills, and awareness of the different needs of patients, such as mental ill health, learning disability, dementia etc, will be provided, as well as supervision from the Garden Coordinator.

The Allotment Market Stall provides good-quality, well-priced, locally grown fruit and vegetables and reduces waste. We have opportunities this season for volunteers to be a part of running our veg stall in the parks (Duthie Park and Seaton Park). Main tasks involve: *Sell fruit and vegetables to the public *Help record amounts sold *Help promote The Allotment Market Stall and its values of growing and eating good stuff Full training will be given. Volunteers will be accompanied and supported at all times. This is a great opportunity to: *Make a difference in your city and the environment *Be a part of a community of growers *Meet people and grow in confidence For more details please contact Greg Welsh at email: theallotmentmentmarketstall@gmail.com or tel.: 07583 758494.

We offer gardening activities to support our clients journey of recovery. With support from our paid staff and volunteers they help to develop and maintain our gardens. Along with tending borders and plant cultivation we grow vegetables, soft fruit, apples and pears to be used for our café menu and for sale. Whereevre you gardening interests lie you may find an opportunity to broaden your skills and contribute to our development

Falkland Palace and Garden welcomes over 44,000 visitors every year and there’s something here for everyone, from the Palace with a working Chapel Royal, apartments for kings and queens, stunning gardens, an orchard and the oldest tennis court in the country. Falkland Palace, one of Scotland’s finest Renaissance buildings, is set within approximately nine acres of grounds which include ornamental gardens, a glasshouse, an orchard and woodland. The main ornamental garden was designed by renowned garden designer, Percy Cane, in the mid-20th century. Our volunteer garden assistants help our small team of gardeners look after all aspects of these large gardens, maintaining them to the highest standard possible for the enjoyment of our visitors Main Duties: • General garden maintenance including weeding, mulching, planting, leaf clearing, edging, cutting back, pruning and other regular, seasonal gardening tasks • Occasional involvement in special projects and events, should this be of interest • Being welcoming to visitors and helping them to enjoy their visit to the gardens • Ensuring the people working at and visiting the property remain safe at all times

We are a residential Community supporting adults with learning difficulties to work and live together. Working under the direction of our head gardener you will help maintain and develop the shared areas (of which there are many) of herbaceous borders, planting around the houses, orchards and areas of woodland around the estate. Task orientated skills that we need help with include: • General gardening chores • Fencing repairs • Hedge trimming • Staking • Weeding • Mulching, Composting • Pruning • Developing a new Sensory Trail • Garden furniture restoration

ADA-Alcohol & Drugs Action have opportunities for Volunteer Gardeners. We are looking for a keen gardener to volunteer in our Timmer Market premises to help maintain our small garden area. We would be particularly interested in anyone that can maximize the potential of the garden and maintain it on a regular basis. As well as Volunteer Gardeners we also have a range of other volunteer opportunities such as Volunteer Complementary Therapists, Creative Group Volunteers, Mini Bus Driver, Volunteer Buddies and Volunteer Music Group Assistant. For further details please contact: Anne McAlister T: 01224 577120 / F-mail: amcalister@alcoholanddrugsaction.org.uk Web: www.drugsaction.co.uk