Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum

Blog - Participation

Become a Volunteer Guide at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Are you passionate about nature and sharing your knowledge with others? Do you enjoy connecting people with the beauty and significance of trees? If so, we invite you to join Westonbirt’s team of volunteer guides at the arboretum.

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Awe-inspiring autumn

Autumn is here, which means it’s the start of the season of fruiting and fading, where berries abound, leaves blaze, and the sun looks glorious! It's also the start of seed gathering season, where arboretum collections are expanded internationally through dedicated seed gathering trips.

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Introducing our membership for Young People aged 18-25

We’re excited to announce our new Young Person Membership, helping improve access to nature and the affordability of visits to Westonbirt Arboretum. It’s our goal to help support wellbeing in young people at the same time as conserving trees, developing the charity together.

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Beat around the bush

The Silk Wood Community Planting Project team and volunteers recently conducted a 'beat-up survey' to assess the survival rate of saplings planted last year.

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Westonbirt's Brand New Play Areas! Where Families and Nature Connect...

We’re excited to announce a thrilling revamp of Westonbirt’s play areas designed to ignite a love of nature in children of all ages!...

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Autumn is just around the corner

Get ready to be captivated by Westonbirt this autumn as the arboretum transforms into a vibrant canvas of colour.

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Woodland Design Revisited

A whirlwind of creativity! We had a blast reviewing the amazing woodland designs created by local school groups. These inspiring ideas will help shape the future of Silk Wood. Stay tuned for updates on the chosen design!...

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Identity Parade

Sun, plants, and learning! Last month, we joined a Field Studies Council course to learn how to identify woodland plants. It was a fantastic two days of exploring the beautiful Silk Wood and gaining new knowledge about our local ecosystem.

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Caring Connections

Changes Bristol recently spent a day at Westonbirt Arboretum, nurturing saplings and learning about the vital role forests play in our ecosystem. Discover how this rewarding experience benefitted both their mental well-being and the planet.

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Buzzing with Goodness: Support Local, Save Bees

Looking for a delicious way to support a good cause? Look no further than the Westonbirt Shop! We're proud to stock a range of Tracklements condiments, including their popular crabapple and medlar jellies.

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Play at Westonbirt

Westonbirt Arboretum is set to transform its grounds with two new, accessible, and nature-inspired play zones designed by Earth Wrights. These spaces promise to be a haven for children to explore, learn, and grow, fostering a deep connection with the natural world.

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Make Westonbirt Your Summertime Escape

Sun's out, fun's out at Westonbirt Arboretum! This sprawling Gloucestershire gem offers a treasure trove of activities for nature lovers, families, and anyone seeking an unforgettable summer escape.

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Saplings and Spikes

This Volunteers Week, see how our amazing team helped the saplings thrive at Silk Wood. They tackled the thistles and brambles, making way for easier access and protecting the new trees. Read more about the hard work, the wildlife encounters, and the "poo-dunnit" mystery!...

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First Planting Season is Complete!

It’s been a brilliant few months for us here at the Silk Wood Community Planting Project. Since January over 600 participants came to plant a grand total of 3300 trees! Despite the occasional frost and the, not so occasional, torrential rain our groups put their all into making sure each tree gets the best start and will be there in years to come.

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