EVERY weekend, somewhere in the Peak District, hardy volunteers will be donning old clothes, rolling up their sleeves and generally mucking in to help protect the area's rich environment.

Over 3,000 people enrol each year with the park authority's volunteer service – doing everything from fixing paths and building dry stone walls, to clearing alien vegetation and protecting important habitats.

It is the job of conservation volunteers officer Dave Cramp, who runs Brunt's Barn residential centre in Grindleford, to ensure all these people can be catered for.

Dave said: "I'm one of those really annoying people who absolutely loves their job.

"I meet so many people all the time. As well as giving something back, they're able to get out in the countryside, get fitter and do something constructive, sociable and challenging."

All sorts of people get involved, including international groups, inner-city rejuvenation schemes and local primary schools and Scouts.

Dave, who has worked with the volunteers service for 11 years, added: "It's just about making sure groups get to projects which fit their skills and which they'll enjoy.

"The real trick is making sure everyone has a positive experience of being in a national park.

"If that's happened, then I've done my job."

But it is not just the park authority co-ordinating volunteers, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and the National Trust both run their own thriving services.

Wildlife trust workers are involved in projects removing scrub to make way for wild flowers at Priestcliffe Lees near Millers Dales, and at Deep Dale, near Sheldon, and Brockholes Woods.

Reserves officer Julia Gow said: "Many of the trust's nature reserves are renowned for their wildflowers during the summer months, including several species of orchid.

"These flowers provide essential food for a variety of creatures,
including many butterflies. To ensure that they will flourish again this summer, we need to get busy now removing woody growth."

February work parties are planned on Sunday 7, and Thursday 18, at Millers Dale Quarry; Thursday 11, at Hadfields Quarry; Sunday 14, at Rose End Meadows; Sunday 21, at Priestcliffe Lees; Tuesday 23, at Gang Mine; Wednesday 24, at Cramside Wood and on Thursday 25, and Sunday 28, at Chee Dale.

No experience is necessary – just bring sensible footwear, waterproofs, food, drink and enthusiasm.

The National Trust's volunteering positions include geological researchers, rangers, wildlife conservationists and administration assistants.

This week it launched a series of 12 monthly podcasts, which will include features on volunteers' restoration projects on the Longshaw Estate.

General manager Mike Innerdale said: "The podcasts allow us to recognise the vast numbers of people involved in maintaining these important areas for our visitors."

To get involved with Peak District
volunteering, click here, here and here.