50 Years of Action!

Solving problems, not just talking about them - that’s celebrity botanist David Bellamy’s view of BTCV.

And as we celebrate 50 years of practical action we reckon we have a golden opportunity to shout about our successes . . . motivating, mobilising and training hundreds of thousands of ordinary people to do their bit for the local environment and community.

Professor Bellamy first stumbled across BTCV as he took a walk up a hill in his neighbourhood as a young botanist in 1959. Finding a group of people clearing dogwood to enable the survival of the endangered chalk grassland it threatened to choke, he joined in. He’s been supporting us ever since.

At a celebratory reunion at that first task site Prof Bellamy told London volunteers past and present: “It’s amazing to think how far BTCV has grown since putting down its roots at Box Hill. In fifty years many things have changed, but volunteering remains an inspiring way to make a difference to the environment and people’s lives.”

BTCV London

Kings Cross - The heart of an urban concrete jungle, but also home to the London operation of the UK's largest practical conservation charity.

In the last 12 months BTCV motivated and supported 12,750 volunteers to complete 21,772 days working to improve and protect or enagge with 272 green spaces right across the capital. And our impact keeps growing.

Everyone is welcome to volunteer with BTCV, regardless of age, experience or background, and while working outdoors is good for your physical and mental health it also gives you a chance to meet new friends, learn new skills, help the environment and benefit the local community.

All of our projects have a community focus, our aim being to inspire people to improve places and fulfil their own potential. Whether you just enjoy the great outdoors, want to do something worthwhile in your spare time, or gain skills and experience for a new career we can provide the opportunities.

What we do: