Wild Work Days
Wild Work Days
Allow your team to get outside, explore nature, give back, and create lasting memories together by taking part in a Wild Work Day with Ulster Wildlife.
Connect with Nature. Support Wildlife. Empower Your Team
Looking for a unique team-building experience that supports both your team’s wellbeing and Northern Ireland’s wildlife? Wild Workdays with Ulster Wildlife offer an opportunity to step outside the office, engage with nature, and directly contribute to the protection and conservation of our natural environment.
Whether you're looking to improve team communication, reduce stress, or just enjoy a rewarding day in nature, Wild Workdays are the perfect solution. Join us for a day of hands-on conservation work on our nature reserves, where your team will make a tangible impact on local wildlife while having fun and recharging outdoors.
Tasks are available at reserves across the county and can vary from invasive species control to meadow management, and scrub bashing to dead hedge laying. We’ll work with you to find a convenient location, and a task that suits the group size and physical ability of the team and, most importantly, fulfils your aims for the day. You’ll get to experience nature in a way that usually only our rangers do, and you will head back to the office with the positivity of a shared sense of achievement.
"It was amazing! We all really enjoyed it; Ryan was absolutely class too. It's definitely something we'd love to do on at least an annual basis as part of our 1% commitment. It was nice to get stuck in rather than just donating."
"We had a great day, the whole Ulster Wildlife team is very welcoming, professional and easy to work with. Also, very well managed by Ryan with clear guidance and support. Please pass on my thanks."
Why Choose Wild Workdays?
Team Building & Wellbeing: Spending the day outdoors, working together on a meaningful project, boosts morale, fosters communication, and promotes mental and physical health.
Make a Real Impact: Every Wild Workday contributes to vital conservation work that protects Northern Ireland's precious wildlife and wild spaces, benefiting local communities and the environment.
No Experience Necessary: Whether you’re a first-time volunteer or a seasoned conservationist, all tasks are suitable for all abilities. Our expert staff will guide your team throughout the day, ensuring everyone is engaged and safe.
Positive Brand Exposure: By supporting Ulster Wildlife, your business will demonstrate its commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and responsible corporate practices.
"We had a super day and want to thank Ronald, Jess and you for your help, support and knowledge."
Get in touch
Complete the enquiry form below and our volunteer coordinator will get in touch with you.
"The team really enjoyed the day at Balloo – it was a great opportunity to get involved, learn more about the important work you do, and contribute in a hands-on way. Everyone felt it was both rewarding and fun, and they were glad to see the impact of their efforts.”
FAQs
What is a Wild Work Day?
A Wild Work Day (WWD) is a volunteering day for corporate groups. They provide the opportunity to get your team together for an active volunteering day out in the fresh air and on one of our nature reserves, whilst learning about our important work and how you are contributing to it.
What tasks are involved?
The tasks will be varied and dependent on the nature reserve and seasonal demands, but may include:
• Habitat management: Hedgerow care, meadow maintenance, invasive species removal.
• Reserve site maintenance: Fencing repairs, pathway maintenance
Other tasks may include the creation and planting of wildflower meadows, tree planting, litter picking and pond clearance
When do they run?
Dates are available throughout the year on weekdays, usually Tuesday - Friday, but we will do our best to find a date that is suitable for your team
What does a typical day look like?
Below is an example of a WWD at Ulster Wildlife:
10:15 Start arriving, and a member of our team will meet you
10:30 Welcome to the nature reserve with a short, guided walk, introduction to tasks and how this will help with our work and nature conservation, followed by a health and safety induction which will include a tool talk
11:00-11.30 – Begin task
12.30 Lunch break – please bring a packed lunch
1.00-1.15 – Resume afternoon task
2.30/3.00 – Finish – this is flexible and can be stretched longer depending on your team
What do you provide?
We provide all tools (except gloves for hygiene reasons) and training. A staff member will be leading the group throughout the day, along with additional supervising staff. All our staff are First Aid trained and your team is covered by our Public Liability Insurance.
How many people can you accommodate per day?
Depending on which nature reserve site you visit, we recommend group sizes of 6 – 8, with some sites able to accommodate larger groups of 9 – 15. Please consider final group sizes in advance of booking so we can ensure we allocate enough staff to supervise the day and keep visitors safe.
What does it cost?
Groups of 6-8 people - £300 for the day
Groups of 9 – 15 people - £500 for the day
Small groups of 6 or fewer people is £50 pp
We class this as volunteering, why are you charging for this?
As a charity, we have many overheads to cover, including staffing costs, insurance, tools and machinery. Your costs go a great way to cover the admin to organise the day, staff supervision time on the day, tools required to maintain our reserves and operational costs for the organisation.
Did you know it costs around £260,000 per year to maintain our existing reserves?
How and when do you take payment?
Payment is via invoice and made in advance of the Wild Work day
Cancellation Policy
If you wish to cancel your booking, please let us know with as much notice as possible. You should email our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteering@ulsterwildlife.org
• If cancelled with notice greater than 14 days, there is no charge for the day, and a full refund of money will be issued
• If cancelled with notice less than 14 days – payment is non-refundable, and your session can be rescheduled.
If Ulster Wildlife have to cancel the day due to weather, another day will be offered and payment carried over. If no suitable day can be found, a full refund will be issued.
I am already part of a charity giving scheme like Benevity or 1% for the Planet, do I still have to pay?
No, if you are attributed to either of those schemes, please tick the box on the enquiry form to state this, and your contribution will be made to Ulster Wildlife once you’ve been out with our teams.
Will we receive free PR and acknowledgement for our time with Ulster Wildlife?
You're welcome to post about your day on your social media channels to celebrate the wonderful commitment that your team have made to local nature conservation. Please make sure you tag us in any post.
Wild Work Day engagement is acknowledged in Ulster Wildlife’s Annual Report and may be featured in other Ulster Wildlife publications.
What should we do for lunch?
We recommend you bring a packed lunch, but if you would like to have a catered lunch delivered, please discuss this at the time of booking.
What should we bring/wear?
All staff should wear clothing suitable for being outdoors for the time of year that they don’t mind getting dirty. Waterproofs are recommended along with winter coats/hats and in the summer, sun hat and sun cream. Everyone MUST come with suitable footwear, such as work boots/walking boots are acceptable or wellingtons. Trainers should not be worn. Everyone should also come with their own pair of work gloves.
Do your sites have toilet facilities?
Some of our nature reserves have toilet facilities, and if there are none, we will be able to signpost your staff to the nearest amenities, which will not be far away. Please ask our Volunteer Coordinator in advance for full details.
We do not have a budget for volunteering, are there any free opportunities?
Currently, we do not offer any free volunteering opportunities for groups; however, we do have individual volunteering opportunities available. For more information please visit: https://www.ulsterwildlife.org/volunteering-opportunities