Finding a community environmental project to support can sometimes be challenging, particularly if it falls outside your usual sphere of business.
Most places have a range of initiatives available to support, from local clean-ups to food growing projects, but knowing where to start isn’t always obvious. We’ve put together a few pointers on what to look for when deciding on the best project for your business to support.
The first step is to decide how your business wants to offer support. This could be through financial contributions, hands-on volunteering, or a combination of both. Discuss it with your team and assess what resources you can realistically commit, in terms of time, budget and staff capacity.
If funds are available, financial support is often the simplest option. A good starting point is your local Wildlife Trust. In the UK, there are 46 independent Wildlife Trusts (which also cover the Isle of Man and Channel Islands) working under The Wildlife Trust umbrella. You can find your local trust by postcode and donate directly, or even support conservation programmes through animal adoption schemes. Local zoos may also offer similar adoption initiatives. Have a look at https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-trusts to find your local trust.
Wherever your business is based, there will almost certainly be a local conservation group or environmental campaign that would welcome financial support. A simple online search can help identify projects operating in your area.
Volunteering requires a bit more planning. Consider whether staff have time to participate, whether volunteering can take place during working hours, and if your insurance covers staff involvement. If activities take place outside of work time, think about how you might encourage participation, such as recognising volunteer hours or offering incentives.
Consider whether staff have time to participate, whether volunteering can take place during working hours, and if your insurance covers staff involvement.
Despite these considerations, in-person volunteering offers great benefits. It enhances your business’s reputation in the community, supports team bonding and morale, and provides valuable content for internal communications and social media.
Platforms such as Nature Volunteers (https://naturevolunteers.uk) can help match businesses and individuals with appropriate projects. In addition, national conservation organisations like the RSPB, National Trust, Woodland Trust and National Parks regularly run volunteer programmes and are worth contacting directly.
Supporting local environmental projects encourages shared responsibility and stronger connections, helping businesses build meaningful relationships beyond their day-to-day operations. It has clear benefits for staff wellbeing, offering opportunities to spend time outdoors, work together in new ways, and develop skills beyond day-to-day roles. Just as importantly, these projects make a lasting difference, protecting and enhancing local environments for residents, visitors, and future generations to enjoy. So if you’ve been considering getting involved, now’s a great time to take that step and go for it!
And if you’ve volunteered or worked on a project in your area, let us know; we love featuring members’ stories in our blogs and across our social media channels! Click here to submit your story: https://bit.ly/4so1nKp
