The deeply moving testimonies of volunteers whose commitment to the Action for Nature project—led by the NGO Scottish Wildlife Trust—are bringing inspiration and hope wherever they are received with open hearts. This initiative, which will remain active for another year thanks to the success of securing significant donations, has been underway in the United Kingdom since 2015.
Pete Haskell is elated. One particular reason fills the young and enthusiastic Director of Communications and Engagement at the Scottish Wildlife Trust with joy: after securing funding for an entire additional year, this leading Scottish environmental conservation NGO will be able to continue one of its country’s key initiatives.
The positive and remarkable results achieved since 2015, the year Action for Nature was launched, have proven that the fight is on the right path and that efforts in this direction must continue. This program, now renewed with new funds and driven by the Trust’s dedicated volunteer team, has over time become crucial to the revival and preservation of Scotland’s wildlife and natural beauty.
Practically speaking, securing another year of funding means 365 more days of supporting the Action for Nature volunteer team and implementing a new set of essential activities. This includes planning community seed-planting days in remote areas, and organizing teams of volunteers who venture deep into forests to plant native saplings in areas devastated by fires or indiscriminate logging. It is a remarkable expression of commitment—a source of joy, solidarity, and hope in defense of Scotland’s magnificent yet endangered natural heritage.
“We are so, so proud of the positive impact our Action for Nature program has had in Ayrshire County that we simply must introduce those who make it all possible,” said Communications Director Pete Haskell. “Today, we share the first-hand stories of our volunteers.”
Volunteers: The Simple Sowers of the Future
1. Lyn Fraser
I love being part of the Scottish Wildlife Trust volunteer group. It’s a wonderful experience. It uplifts the spirit to know that even in a very small way, one can help shape a miracle—the revival of Scotland’s wildlife. Being part of the group is incredibly welcoming and inspiring, and it’s simple too, as no prior knowledge is required. This is an enthusiastic, down-to-earth, and inclusive team. We laugh a lot while helping nature. What could be better than that? That’s why I believe there should be more groups like this!
Lyn Fraser is an active member of the Action for Nature volunteer program.
2. Lynn Telfer
This volunteer work keeps me grounded. I eagerly look forward to our group meeting days, as I’ve developed such warm and meaningful bonds with my teammates. I love spending quality time in nature, and this effort to protect it—which takes us through many of Scotland’s beautiful landscapes—is truly a privilege. The group has become something essential and deeply significant for me. It’s my way of leaving a small but important mark, contributing to the care and protection of the natural world.
Lynn Telfer is an active volunteer in the Action for Nature program.
3. Emma Kendon
It’s always wonderful to find your place in the world—your tribe—and without a doubt, the Wildlife Trust volunteers in the Community Conservation area are mine. Being united in the same project gives me so much, and it’s even more rewarding to discover and protect nature alongside my teammates.
On a typical day, we travel together to areas of Ayrshire I had never visited before, and it’s exciting to meet so many new people and learn, with every initiative, how to care for the diverse habitats that support local wildlife. I also deeply appreciate having the right team, perfectly suited to the project. Then, looking back—or rather, feeling through the heart—the work done at the end of each day is always deeply satisfying, even if it means spending hours at home washing extra loads of clothes and scrubbing mud off my boots!
Whether we are planting clusters of fruit trees, restoring natural habitats, or helping children connect with the environment, every Sunday dedicated to the initiative is the best possible way to begin the month.
Emma Kendon is an active volunteer in the Action for Nature program.
