LibGuides: Green Libraries: Environmental Organisations, Places to Visit & Green Volunteering

Get close to nature near the University

You'll be surprised at the wide variety of sites and spaces, many of which are free, on our own doorstep that offer superb opportunities to get close to nature and see wonderful birds, mammals and beautiful plants and trees.

Albert Park
Adjacent to our campus, Albert Park is a green oasis at the heart of the town centre. Its 30 acres are full of wildlife including Speckled Wood Butterfly, Pipistrelle Bat and over 80 species of birds including Mute Swan, Jay, Goldfinch and Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Hartlepool Headland
The rich and varied heritage of Hartlepool Headland is particularly intriguing, with historic buildings, town walls and maritime architecture that huddle the seafront. It's a fantastic space to get close to nature, including sometimes thousands of seabirds and wading birds, seals, and, if you're very lucky pods of dolphins, porpoises or even a passing whale.
Linthorpe Cemetery and Nature Reserve
This 52 acre cemetery is designated as a Local Nature Reserve owing to it's rich diversity of recorded flora and fauna, including 17 species of butterfly, colourful fungi, a wide variety of tree species and a long list of birds including Tawny Owl, Chiffchaff, Nuthatch and Sparrowhawk
RSPB Saltholme
Just 6 miles from campus, Saltholme is a brilliant place to visit at any time of the year, with lots to see including Avocets, Egrets, Mash Harriers and, if you're very lucky Otters. If you're new to birdwatching, it's the perfect place to start. These family-friendly wetlands feature a vibrant Visitor Centre, new hides and screens, a cafe, play area and accessible trails, helping you discover lots of wildlife.
Teesmouth National Nature Reserve
At the mouth of the River Tees, Teesmouth National Nature Reserve is a superb place to visit to see thousands of wading birds, terns, rich botany and hundreds of Common Seals.
Tees Valley Wildlife Trust
Tees Valley Wildlife Trust manage a number of superb nature reserves around Cleveland. These include Portrack Marsh near Stockton, one of the area's most important wildlife sites, and Lazenby Woods, stretching from Wilton Castle to the rocky outcrop at Eston Nab, a beautiful woodland, of oak, ash, silver birch, beech, and conifers.

Organisations to join and/or undertake voluntary work

There are lots of nature conservation organisations that you can join to support their work and visit their sites. Many of these agencies also welcome volunteers to help manage their sites and help with visitors. It's a great way to make new friends, undertake volunteer work and get valuable work experience.

Teesside University 's Volun-tees programme also supports staff, students and recent graduates from Teesside University to engage in volunteering activities both within the local community or on University-led volunteering programmes. Look out for opportunities to engage with nature.

British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
The BTO collates information collected by volunteer birdwatchers to monitor Britain's bird populations and inform good environmental decisions and inspire others with the wonder of birds.
Butterfly Conservation
Butterflies and moths are sensitive indicators of the health of our environment. Find out how you can help them.
Citizen science
Citizen science can be a fantastic way for us to work together by, supporting communities to connect to their local environment, bringing together local stakeholders and decision makers and enabling collaborative action and support.
The Conservation Volunteers
Conservation Volunteers undertake a range of activities in both urban and rural areas, from planting trees and wild flower meadows, to building stiles, clearing footpaths or creating new food growing projects.
National Trust
The National Trust is Europe’s biggest conservation charity and looks after nature, beauty and history for everyone to enjoy. The Trust welcomes volunteers to undertake work at its many sites.
Royal Horticultural Society: Community Gardening
The RHS is the UK’s leading gardening charity. Its volunteers maintain gardens, support visitors at flower shows and assist with horticultural and scientific research.
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
The RSPB is a charity for the conservation of birds and nature, with a superb reserve at Saltholme on the Tees Estuary. The charity has lots of volunteers who undertake site management and outreach activities.
Tees Valley Nature Partnership
Links to lots of local sites of environmental interest near you.
The Woodland Trust
The Trust is the UK's largest woodland conservation charity. Volunteers carry out a huge variety of roles to help plant and protect woods and trees. From woodland management and visitor experience to recording trees and wildlife.

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Get close to nature near the University

Organisations to join and/or undertake voluntary work