Volunteers are the most important people to Acorn Trust. Without them much of the work we do would remain undone.

Whether you have practical skills, experience of working with children or if you are enthusiastic and want to make a difference to the environment, Acorn Trust will have something for you to do, even if you have never tried anything like this before.

Volunteer days are run on Tuesdays and Wednesdays every week and once a month at the weekend (see our Events page for more details). So if you would like to get involved contact Sarah. You'll have great fun, meet new people and learn new skills, so why not give it a try? Click on the logo to view the leaflet.

What's Acorn Trust doing today?   What is the importance of the environment?   It's Sam's job to make sure people can find out the answers to those questions.   She co-ordinates Acorn Trust's involvement in festivals and campaigns as well as organising the Acorn Amblers walkers group and our children's nature club, WATCH.   This nature club

Working with the press and public and keeping the school worksheets and leaflets up to date are just some of the ways Sam helps people find out how the Trust can help them and how they can help the Trust to help Derwentside.   To find out what opportunities Acorn Trust can offer you, contact Sam or click on the logo to view the leaflet.

During 2000-2001 the Trust has planted over 45,000 trees all of which are native to the area.   This was planned in conjunction with the Derwentside District Council Countryside Strategy.   The majority of funding for woodland planting is through the Forestry Commission, with whom we work very closely.

Sam is also involved in The Trust's provision of wildlife services - as a qualified botanist she is able to produce plant lists and National Vegetation Classification surveys for sites.   Other staff are able to conduct bird surveys, tree surveys and habitat management plans - please contact Sam for details.

Joolz takes on the more community based aspects of our woodland work, liasing with schools and community groups to increase understanding of trees and woodland habitats as a community resource.

Through partnership projects like the "Woodland Forum" we aim, with Derwentside District Council, the land owners and other interested parties, to develop a long-term woodland strategy for Derwentside.

The Community Woodlands project has an ever increasing programme of events, activities and educational information to enable the local community at all levels to get involved in woodland work and play.

If you:

contact Joolz for more information or click on the logo to see the project leaflet. For details of coming woodland events, please see our events page.

Sustainability can mean many different things to different people because it covers such a broad range of ideas. The aim of sustainability is to encourage society to achieve economic development whilst at the same time protecting and enhancing the environment.

Sustainability encompasses everything from recycling and home composting to energy efficiency, water conservation, transport use and air pollution.

Currently the Trust has many ongoing recycling projects.   School projects include 'Paper into Trees' and 'Can Collection' schemes.   Business led projects include the 'Office Waste Paper' scheme and 'Toner and Printer Cartridge Recycling'.   We also run the recycling yard at Sherburn Terrace, Consett, which caters for glass, paper, cans, textiles and book recycling.

New sustainability projects include sustainable education through a series of practical workshops promoting the sustainability theme.   These workshops show how you can make a difference in the area you live.   This project is funded by CDENT (County Durham Environment Trust), click here for more information on this project.

A new eco-allotment is also being developed at Constance Street in Consett to promote organic and sustainable gardening.   The allotment includes fruit and vegetables grown using organic principles.   A wildlife area will also be developed which will include a pond.   Community groups and schools are invited to get involved in the project and use it as an ongoing resource.

Acorn Trust recognises the need to act locally in order to change the global attitude towards sustainability.   In order to make Derwentside a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable place to live local people must be involved.

If you are a school or community group would like to find out more about recycling or would like to help green Derwentside please contact Marianne.

If you are a business or other organisation, please contact Joe or click the logo to view the project leaflet.

The best ideas for environmental projects come from you, the local community. Philip works on both large and small scale projects offering skills and advice for your projects from planning and design to fundraising and implementation.

Philip is currently working on creating a community space for elderly residents at White-le-Head, a wildlife pond and boardwalk for schoolchildren and the pubilc at West Pelton and developing ideas and plans for the Blue Heaps at Consett. This will hopefully provide disabled access, habitat management and a link from the new developments at Consett Park as a "wildlife corridor".

We are always keen to take on new projects and the best ideas come from you, so why not get in touch with Phil at the Trust? click on the logo to view the project leaflet.

This project is a new 3 year initiative aiming to improve the health of people with special needs, the elderly and those with impaired health through active or passsive participation in environmental activities.

Activities could include the creation of sensory gardens, working gardens, walks or talks - in fact any activity which promotes better mental or physical health.

The project aims to work with 2 special needs schools, 25 residential homes for the elderly and 15 clubs for those with impaired health.   If you feel you fall into these categories, please contact Stephen.   Click on the logo to view the leaflet.

Derwentside has an important woodland heritage and the management and creation of this is an essential part of the Trust's work.   David is the supervisor of our Woodland Task Force which carries out planting, felling and access work in woodlands under our management.

New woodlands under our management include: Cowclose Wood at Medomsley, the woodlands at Allensford, Caribees Community Woodland at Delves Lane and Acorn Wood in South East Stanley.

During 2000-2001 the Trust has planted over 45,000 trees all of which are native to the area.   This was planned in conjunction with the Derwentside District Council Countryside Strategy.   The majority of funding for woodland planting is through the Forestry Commission, with whom we work very closely.

Anybody wishing to enquire about tree planting in the Derwentside area or the management of any existing woodlands nearby, feel free to contact David.
For more information on the woodland services we can provide, please click on the logo.