Working Group Member (Cwm Mynach)

Covering almost 400 hectares (1000 acres), Cwm Mynach sits at the southern edge of the Rhinogydd foothills, with the impressive Cadair Idris Mountain in the distance.

The nearest village is Bontddu, close to the market town of Dolgellau in Gwynedd, north-west Wales. Llyn Cwm Mynach, a six-hectare (14.8-acre) lake, lies to the north of the site, and from here the river known as Afon Cwm Mynach flows south to meet the Mawddach estuary.

Our Working Groups help us to look after our wonderful sites across the UK. Carrying out a variety of practical tasks under the guidance of the Woodland Trust Site Manager, the Working Groups keep our sites looking great, keep our pathways accessible, and help us manage the woodland in line with our management plans. A great way to learn skills and meet new people, our Working Groups also directly contribute to the care and upkeep of valuable habitats.

The long term plan at Cwm Mynach is to reduce the dominance of conifers and move towards more continuous broadleaved woodland, with a diverse species and age structure, interspersed with pockets of other semi natural habitats, such as areas of deep peat in the north of the site which will continue to be restored to capture carbon. This will in turn support a greater range of species such as moss, liverworts and lichens as well as other plants and animal species - including the elusive pine martens which have successfully returned to the area after reintroduction. Volunteers will be involved in removing young conifers, planting young broadleaf trees and other tasks to improve the site for wildlife and people.

The group may also occasionally visit other sites where work is needed. They tend to meet during the last weekend of each month.

Anyone under 18 applying for this role must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is also registered as a Woodland Trust volunteer.