(c) Phil Barnes
Wilder Wardens
Wilder Wardens are a group, aged 11-17, who care about the environment and help with practical tasks on our nature reserves.
This can involve protecting diverse species, helping to restore their habitats and maintaining infrastructure on our nature reserves for visitors to enjoy. Members enjoy being outdoors, learning new skills, and meeting other like-minded people – we’re a diverse bunch with a range of interests and experiences.
This voluntary role is a special opportunity to discover the wonders of Norfolk’s wildlife and build skills in a supported way to help care for it.
Wilder Wardens at Sweet Briar Marshes 2025 (credit: Phil Barnes)
Wilder Wardens boat trip (credit: NWT)
Wilder Wardens at Sweet Briar Marshes (credit: Phil Barnes)
Wilder Wardens spotting butterflies (credit: NWT)
Wilder Wardens bird watching in a hide (credit: NWT)
Wilder Wardens cutting back reeds (credit: NWT)
Wilder Wardens building a bridge (credit: NWT)
Interested in becoming a Wilder Warden?
Sessions at Sweet Briar Marshes happen during the school holidays.
Book Sweet Briar Marshes sessions
Sessions at Hickling Broad take place each month and we have a limited number of places available.
Please email youthaction@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk to be added to the Hickling waiting list.
What to expect
During the sessions, you’ll get a taste of what it is like to be a reserve warden – carrying out real management tasks on site including scrub clearance, visitor infrastructure maintenance, and wildlife surveying.
Around 8-12 people usually attend. In advance of the session, we’ll send a meeting location, weather report and details of your specific activities. If it’s your first time, we’ll collect some contact and medical details too and send a copy of our health and safety procedures.
We’re passionate that all people, no matter their background, should have access to nature. With support from Reserve Wardens and the Youth Action Team, everyone that joins will be provided with tools and materials they need, shown how to do the task and we’ll explain how it helps nature!
These activities are entry-level friendly, plus we usually have a few roles to pick from (like raking or cutting). Our sessions include a break in the middle with snacks provided.
Please bring water. We don’t always have easy access to taps. If you require outdoor clothing (including a good waterproof jacket and wellies) please let us know and we’ll aim to support.
What’s in it for me?
- Practical experience to help progress into careers and further education
- Connect with inspiring people
- Discover the wonders of our natural world
- Exercise and fitness
- Learn how to speak bird
- Wind-swept hair
Feedback from members
“I feel empowered. Because I feel like I'm making a difference.”
“I feel positive because I've been able to spend time with people who have similar interests and passions to me and it keeps you from not being burnt out, it keeps you from staying invested in your interest in conservation of wildlife because just being with people who are equally passionate renews that spark every time.”
“I want to become a conservationist and I think this will help me get there because I’m applying to do wildlife and land management and I’ll be telling the interviewer that I've done Wilder Wardens and that helps”
Latest news and blogs
Find out what the Wilder Wardens have been getting up to below.
World Mental Health Day - a few words from our Wilder Wardens
Our Wilder Wardens share what nature means to them, and the positive impact it can have on their health and well-being.
Meet our wilder wardens
Two of Norfolk Wildlife Trust's young Wilder Wardens, Hetty and Andrew, share their experiences with us.
Wilder Wardens launch
2023 saw the launch of NWT's first ever youth group, 'Wilder Wardens'.
