A rainy dog walk through a Northumberland nature reserve has led to a local volunteer being recognised with a prestigious national award. Slaley resident Nigel Green was walking through Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Juliet’s Wood reserve when he spotted six volunteers sitting in the rain, eating their lunch and sharing a laugh.
Inspired by their enthusiasm and camaraderie, he decided he wanted to be part of the team and signed up as a practical volunteer that very day. Just over two years later, Nigel has contributed hundreds of hours to conservation work across the county, helping to care for numerous Northumberland Wildlife Trust reserves including Whitelee, West Chevington, Whittle Dene, Holywell Pond, Tony’s Patch, Fortburn and Kielder.
Award for dedication at Northumberlandia and Weetslade
Much of his time has been dedicated to maintaining the Land Trust’s Northumberlandia and Weetslade sites, a commitment that has now earned him the Land Trust’s Volunteer of the Year Award. Geoff Dobbins, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Estates Manager, said: “Nigel’s enthusiasm never fails to impress us all. He is always willing to go the extra mile, so when the time came for us to nominate someone for the Volunteer of the Year Award, it took us all of five seconds to recommend him for his work at Weetslade and Northumberlandia.”
From the outset, Nigel has approached every task with remarkable energy and determination. His work has ranged from digging out stone and rubble in driving rain and carrying bags of Post Crete and buckets of sub-base up steep hills, to raking meadow grass in the summer through heat and wading through freezing ponds. So far in 2026, Nigel has dedicated an impressive 185 hours to volunteering, helping to ensure some of Northumberland’s most cherished green spaces remain welcoming and well cared for.
Volunteer efforts called invaluable
Frances Smiles, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Community Events Coordinator, said: “Northumberlandia and Weetslade are very popular sites, welcoming visitors every day who come to walk their dogs, enjoy nature or simply escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We also host a wide range of events at both sites, so it’s important that they are maintained to the highest standards. The efforts of Nigel and his fellow volunteers are absolutely invaluable.”
