Join the Observatree Adventure

Hello! I’m Vicky Bolton, Citizen Science Officer for Observatree, representing the Woodland Trust on the Observatree project. I work closely with our amazing partnership team and manage our brilliant network of volunteers who go out and survey trees and woods in their local areas for signs of pests and diseases.

We are looking to uplift our volunteer network this year and have opened recruitment! If you’d be interested in joining our project, I'll share the links below. But before you rush off to apply, let me tell you what you can expect when you become an Observatree volunteer.

The Induction

The key things we ask of volunteers when joining the project are:

1. Do they have good tree identification knowledge
2. Are they keen to learn more about pests and diseases
3. Do they have about a day a month spare to go out surveying

The rest is on us, the Observatree team, to tell you everything you need to know to get started.

Once recruited, we send a Welcome Pack to our new volunteers with all the documents they need to get going. From this point on its time to get learning, which we do virtually through a programme of 5 live evening webinars, covering an introduction to the project, signs and symptoms to get familiar with, how to conduct surveys and submit your reports. We also provide webinars on how to use our project systems and a webinar with an opportunity to hear from each of our Observatree partners and hear how they contribute to the project.  The programme is run over a few months and volunteers are expected to complete tasks in between webinars, including their first surveys. Although conducted virtually, and with independent learning, volunteers are supported throughout the entire process and can contact our team for support at any time.

“Extremely knowledgeable presentations - all of them. A privilege to have access to such specialist training! There was a lot to learn but I liked the fact there was a lot of info with homework and the expectation that you'll have to develop skills.”

-  Volunteer quote from Induction in 2025

The Summer Training

Once online induction is complete, it is time for the final stage of induction- our face-to-face Summer Training! A highlight of our annual calendar. The Observatree team roadshow Great Britain and bring training to volunteers' doorsteps. These carefully curated days at stunning locations are a fantastic opportunity for volunteers to meet colleagues in person, network with fellow volunteers, both experienced and new, and receive the last of their required training. You can read more about last year's training days below. 

“A well - paced, well-organised and very enjoyable day - an essential element of the overall Observatree training ‘package’, bringing people together and providing high quality input and support. A brilliant session - thanks to all those involved in its organisation!”

-  Volunteer quote on Summer Training 2025

Becoming part of the Network

From that point on, volunteers are fully fledged and ready to get out and routinely survey. This doesn’t mean support ends. Volunteers don’t just have the Observatree team to help guide them. Each country and region has a dedicated Lead Volunteer whose role is to support their local network, encourage surveying and help where needed. They organise seasonal local meet-ups with fellow volunteers to stay connected, help in our regional WhatsApp groups, and host weekly Teams calls for volunteers to come together and discuss their surveys.

Colleagues across the partnership, including entomologists and pathologists, are only a few clicks away on our dedicated Observatree Forum, where volunteers can seek support and share findings.

There's always something new to be learning and knowledge to grow, which can be daunting when getting started. To keep volunteers updated on the latest scientific information, as well as give a monthly focus, our team hosts a “Host of the Month” webinar where we focus on one of our Observatree host tree species and its associated pest or disease, which can be seen that month. A great way to learn as you go and keep focused.

Observatree is an amazing project to be a part of, but don't just take my word for it! Here are some testimonials from volunteers...

I joined Observatree 7 or 8 (?) years ago because I felt I could make a contribution to the challenges facing our trees and the biodiversity that depend on them. Despite having very little relevant experience, my passion along with the excellent training and support of WT staff has allowed me find my feet, learn about the threats facing our trees and be rewarded with a positive sense of achievement that I have indeed made a contribution.

- Graeme Brown, Observatree Volunteer in the South East 

Trees, woodlands, plant life are everything to me. I plan to spend my life working on conserving and enhancing our woodland ecosystems. I joined Observatree because I wanted to apply and expand my tree health knowledge and also I find it fascinating and critically important for the future of our woodland ecosystems and the thousands of species that depend on the survival of trees. Without our trees we have no future.

- Sophie Gammon, Lead Volunteer in Wales 

Apply Now

Does that sound like something you’d be interested in? Join the Observatree Adventure now. You can take a look at the advert and submit your application via these links:

Scotland - Come back on the 9th of Feb when this is live!

Wales - Come back on the 9th of Feb when this is live!

England - Come back on the 9th of Feb when this is live!

We’d love to hear from you. Applications close on the 8^th March 2026. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch at Observatree@woodlandtrust.org.uk.