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The Volunteers: A Memoir of Conservation, Companionship and Community
A heart-warming true story of the woods and wildlife, conservation and community, perfect for fans of Detectorists and The Outlaws
When Carol's world suddenly unravels, leaving her single and jobless, she stumbles upon an unexpected opportunity: leading a ragtag team of countryside conservation volunteers. At first glance, the prospect of nurturing Britain's diverse wildlife in the great outdoors seems like a dream come true. However, reality paints a different picture: her office is a ramshackle porta-cabin overrun with mice and plagued by leaky ceilings, and the volunteers are far from impressed with her lack of practical skills.
Despite this rocky beginning, Carol gradually earns the respect of her eclectic group of volunteers, forging a tight-knit community that will grow to become essential to each member. This diverse group spans generations, from twenty-somethings to septuagenarians, with each of them looking to get something different out of volunteering, whether it's a sense of purpose, a fresh start in life or a tick on their community service form. They also bring their unique quirks and life experiences to the mix.
Volunteer days soon evolve into the highlight of Carol's week, as they bond over their love of nature, mental health battles, and the desire for companionship. As they work together outdoors, the team discover a simple yet powerful recipe for self-confidence, improved well-being and a newfound perspective on life's challenges. This journey not only brings solace and new joys to Carol's weeks, but eventually it helps her move on with her life, too.
The Volunteers is a heartwarming tale that celebrates the redemptive force of the woods and wildlife. It underscores the universal need for belonging and illustrates how, even in the most unexpected places, we can find a community to call our own.
“A gentle, warm, vulnerable book that buzzes and sings and blossoms... Donaldson shows that it is not just nature that benefits from working with the earth - the human soul heals and grows too. With lives as tangled and bright as the wildflowers in the verges, this book is a joy to read. " - Mary Colwell, author of Curlew Moon and The Gathering Place
When Carol's world suddenly unravels, leaving her single and jobless, she stumbles upon an unexpected opportunity: leading a ragtag team of countryside conservation volunteers. At first glance, the prospect of nurturing Britain's diverse wildlife in the great outdoors seems like a dream come true. However, reality paints a different picture: her office is a ramshackle porta-cabin overrun with mice and plagued by leaky ceilings, and the volunteers are far from impressed with her lack of practical skills.
Despite this rocky beginning, Carol gradually earns the respect of her eclectic group of volunteers, forging a tight-knit community that will grow to become essential to each member. This diverse group spans generations, from twenty-somethings to septuagenarians, with each of them looking to get something different out of volunteering, whether it's a sense of purpose, a fresh start in life or a tick on their community service form. They also bring their unique quirks and life experiences to the mix.
Volunteer days soon evolve into the highlight of Carol's week, as they bond over their love of nature, mental health battles, and the desire for companionship. As they work together outdoors, the team discover a simple yet powerful recipe for self-confidence, improved well-being and a newfound perspective on life's challenges. This journey not only brings solace and new joys to Carol's weeks, but eventually it helps her move on with her life, too.
The Volunteers is a heartwarming tale that celebrates the redemptive force of the woods and wildlife. It underscores the universal need for belonging and illustrates how, even in the most unexpected places, we can find a community to call our own.
“A gentle, warm, vulnerable book that buzzes and sings and blossoms... Donaldson shows that it is not just nature that benefits from working with the earth - the human soul heals and grows too. With lives as tangled and bright as the wildflowers in the verges, this book is a joy to read. " - Mary Colwell, author of Curlew Moon and The Gathering Place
- GenresMemoirNatural History
304 pages, Paperback
Published August 8, 2024
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69 people want to read
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September 10, 2024
Donaldson’s plans had come to an abrupt end one Christmas Eve when she found out about her partner’s affair. He unkindly told her that it had been over for ages, but didn’t even think that it might have been the right thing to do and mention it to her before…
To add to her woes was her employment situation. It was a massive blow to her self-confidence and she was unsure of the route to take. She was sitting counting geese, a little freelance work that she had picked up, when her phone rang, It was the guy who had interviewed her last week and her was offering her the job. The money wasn’t what she was hoping for, but he wasn’t going to budge on that, but it was something. She accepted.
Her main task in the new position would be to manage the volunteers for the Kingsdown Partnership. The people would be looking after the habitats on council-owned land. She would be working out of a pretty dilapidated set of portacabins that leaked a lot and had a bit of a problem with mice.
The people that she was responsible for were a motley crew. They came from a range of different backgrounds. A lot of them were troubled in some way or other, with their own backstories and often a lot of baggage. However, this new role was a steep learning curve.
But they were a good bunch and mostly all seemed to get along. They could teach her as much as she could teach them. They didn’t take long to accept her. They had particular skills they were good at and she had to learn who was best at doing what task. That balance of skills and working with each other’s strengths and weaknesses meant they grew stronger and could support each other through the ups and downs of modern life.
What wasn’t helping her was her new boss… He wants her to clear her to-do list each month but is continually adding things to it without caring how long things take and not realising that it is an almost impossible task to do everything. As the portacabin collapses around them, it all comes to a head one day and she is signed off for two weeks.
Donaldson doesn’t know if she will have a job at the end. And if she doesn’t she is really going to miss her team of volunteers.
This is a touching story of a bunch of people from a diverse range of backgrounds coming together for society and the natural world and most importantly for each other. It is a story about friendships, companionship and mutual support and is full of life’s joys and tragedies. It will make you smile and maybe cry a little as you read it. I really liked it and can thoroughly recommend it.
To add to her woes was her employment situation. It was a massive blow to her self-confidence and she was unsure of the route to take. She was sitting counting geese, a little freelance work that she had picked up, when her phone rang, It was the guy who had interviewed her last week and her was offering her the job. The money wasn’t what she was hoping for, but he wasn’t going to budge on that, but it was something. She accepted.
Her main task in the new position would be to manage the volunteers for the Kingsdown Partnership. The people would be looking after the habitats on council-owned land. She would be working out of a pretty dilapidated set of portacabins that leaked a lot and had a bit of a problem with mice.
The people that she was responsible for were a motley crew. They came from a range of different backgrounds. A lot of them were troubled in some way or other, with their own backstories and often a lot of baggage. However, this new role was a steep learning curve.
But they were a good bunch and mostly all seemed to get along. They could teach her as much as she could teach them. They didn’t take long to accept her. They had particular skills they were good at and she had to learn who was best at doing what task. That balance of skills and working with each other’s strengths and weaknesses meant they grew stronger and could support each other through the ups and downs of modern life.
What wasn’t helping her was her new boss… He wants her to clear her to-do list each month but is continually adding things to it without caring how long things take and not realising that it is an almost impossible task to do everything. As the portacabin collapses around them, it all comes to a head one day and she is signed off for two weeks.
Donaldson doesn’t know if she will have a job at the end. And if she doesn’t she is really going to miss her team of volunteers.
This is a touching story of a bunch of people from a diverse range of backgrounds coming together for society and the natural world and most importantly for each other. It is a story about friendships, companionship and mutual support and is full of life’s joys and tragedies. It will make you smile and maybe cry a little as you read it. I really liked it and can thoroughly recommend it.
September 7, 2024
“I think without the volunteering I would have no sense of place in the world.’
Last weekend we took our dog for a walk in a country park run by the local Wildlife Trust. On our way in a lady told us about the work done by the Trust, the wildlife that we might see. We followed various trails and watched butterflies and unusual insects flit around in the sunshine…We were persuaded to join the Trust by the lady’s enthusiasm and our conscousness of the importance of their work..
It therefore seemed very timely picking up The Volunteers this week. The subtitle of this delightful read is, ‘A memoir of conservation, companionship and community’ which really sums this up perfectly. The author, Carol, tells the story of the years she spent managing a team of conservation volunteers. They come from a wide range of backgrounds, all seeking something different from volunteering. Some of the volunteers are retired and seeking a new purpose in life; Laurie has been in trouble with the police and is struggling with his mental health..
It took me a little while to settle into the pace of this book. It’s a gentle read and the beautiful natural descriptions really require you to slow down and take in the views! Carol is newly single and this is in part her memoir, reflecting on her own personal journey and how she copes with the emotional and lifestyle turmoil she has experienced. Taking on a new job makes all sorts of mental and physical demands on her - driving unusual vehicles, managing a group of diverse personalities as well as the vital work of conservation.
Threaded through the story are all sorts of fascinating details about volunteering - barriers to volunteering, the social make up of volunteers - and about conservation. I was fascinated by discussions for example of rewilding and planting.
Carol writes about a childhood love of nature, keeping nature diaries, reading wildlife books. My love of wildlife has been more recent and books like this inform and inspire me. Her writing is beautifully descriptive, visual. Both informing and engaging. She writes with warmth and humanity.
Last weekend we took our dog for a walk in a country park run by the local Wildlife Trust. On our way in a lady told us about the work done by the Trust, the wildlife that we might see. We followed various trails and watched butterflies and unusual insects flit around in the sunshine…We were persuaded to join the Trust by the lady’s enthusiasm and our conscousness of the importance of their work..
It therefore seemed very timely picking up The Volunteers this week. The subtitle of this delightful read is, ‘A memoir of conservation, companionship and community’ which really sums this up perfectly. The author, Carol, tells the story of the years she spent managing a team of conservation volunteers. They come from a wide range of backgrounds, all seeking something different from volunteering. Some of the volunteers are retired and seeking a new purpose in life; Laurie has been in trouble with the police and is struggling with his mental health..
It took me a little while to settle into the pace of this book. It’s a gentle read and the beautiful natural descriptions really require you to slow down and take in the views! Carol is newly single and this is in part her memoir, reflecting on her own personal journey and how she copes with the emotional and lifestyle turmoil she has experienced. Taking on a new job makes all sorts of mental and physical demands on her - driving unusual vehicles, managing a group of diverse personalities as well as the vital work of conservation.
Threaded through the story are all sorts of fascinating details about volunteering - barriers to volunteering, the social make up of volunteers - and about conservation. I was fascinated by discussions for example of rewilding and planting.
Carol writes about a childhood love of nature, keeping nature diaries, reading wildlife books. My love of wildlife has been more recent and books like this inform and inspire me. Her writing is beautifully descriptive, visual. Both informing and engaging. She writes with warmth and humanity.
August 8, 2024
A personal journey into nature, volunteering and friendship
In an unchallenging memoir, Donaldson recounts a moment in her life where everything was up in the air, and how a new job in nature and the friendships she made in it (notably, not with her work colleagues) helped her to find her life's purpose. The descriptions of the volunteer group she managed and the work they did in their local natural landscapes are the highlight of the book, alongside her tentative attempts to date again, and the constant clashes with her boss and her uncaring colleagues.
With environmental confessionals a growing genre, this is an easy read that feels ripe for a film or television adaptation, perhaps with a comedian in the lead role testing her dramatic chops, and the oddballs around her played by supremely recognisable character actors (Michael Sheen as Bevan? Amirite?).
An easy three stars.
In an unchallenging memoir, Donaldson recounts a moment in her life where everything was up in the air, and how a new job in nature and the friendships she made in it (notably, not with her work colleagues) helped her to find her life's purpose. The descriptions of the volunteer group she managed and the work they did in their local natural landscapes are the highlight of the book, alongside her tentative attempts to date again, and the constant clashes with her boss and her uncaring colleagues.
With environmental confessionals a growing genre, this is an easy read that feels ripe for a film or television adaptation, perhaps with a comedian in the lead role testing her dramatic chops, and the oddballs around her played by supremely recognisable character actors (Michael Sheen as Bevan? Amirite?).
An easy three stars.
September 12, 2024
‘I took the job in a panic as my life hit the buffers and the money ran out.’
This might not sound like an auspicious beginning, but as ‘The Volunteers’ beautifully records, Carol’s decision to take on a new role within wildlife conservation, and specifically the group of volunteers she learns to manage as a significant part of that role, has far reaching, positive implications for her and the group.
Alongside recording the changing of the seasons and the conservation sector, this memoir is a touching exploration of the impact a community can have on its members.
-- What’s it about? --
When Carol’s world suddenly unravels, leaving her single and jobless, she stumbles upon an unexpected opportunity: leading a ragtag team of countryside conservation volunteers. At first glance, the prospect of nurturing Britain’s diverse wildlife in the great outdoors seems like a dream come true.
However, reality paints a different picture: her office is a ramshackle portacabin overrun with mice and plagued by leaky ceilings, and the volunteers are far from impressed with her lack of practical skills.
Despite this rocky beginning, Carol gradually earns the respect of her eclectic group of volunteers, forging a tight-knit community that will grow to become essential to each member.
This diverse group spans generations, from twenty-somethings to septuagenarians, with each of them looking to get something different out of volunteering, whether it’s a sense of purpose, a fresh start in life or a tick on their community service form. They also bring their unique quirks and life experiences to the mix.
Volunteer days soon evolve into the highlight of Carol’s week, as they bond over their love of nature, mental health battles, and the desire for companionship. As they work together outdoors, the team discover a simple yet powerful recipe for self-confidence, improved well- being and a newfound perspective on life’s challenges.
This journey not only brings solace and new joys to Carol’s weeks, but eventually it helps her move on with her life, too.
The Volunteers is a heartwarming tale that celebrates the redemptive force of the woods and wildlife. It underscores the universal need for belonging and illustrates how, even in the most unexpected places, we can find a community to call our own.
-- What’s it like? --
Insightful. Humorous. Tender. Donaldson explains in simple terms how the reduction in conservation funding over the years has impacted conservation groups and explains clearly – with just the right amount of detail – how and why her volunteer group pursue the activities she plans. Why do groups spend time pulling up sycamore seedlings, coppicing and making faggots, to name just a few tasks that might puzzle the public!
Chapters shift between accounts of life within the volunteer group and the tasks they complete – installing a kissing gate or completing a pond survey – and frequent appreciations of nature. Chapter four, for instance, moves seamlessly between reflections on the beauty of summer, the typical social class of conservation volunteers, people’s reasons for volunteering and Donaldson’s will-they, won’t-they relationship with one of her volunteers. I loved her evocation of the seasons:
‘Starlings flew in jubilant teenage gangs around the rooftops of the old city, joined by the swifts, sky-anchoring in a joy of tumbledown flight. Out in the fields, flowers fell across the downs and the grass was a hot mass of butterflies.’
-- Final thoughts --
Donaldson’s honesty means this is a genuinely touching memoir. Heartbroken by her ex-fiancé, then puzzled by the mixed signals sent by one of her volunteers, she is a woman in need of community and the delight she takes in the developing group spirit is a powerful reminder of the good that being part of a community can sow.
Mental health is a key topic that arises, as Donaldson herself struggles with overwork and some of her volunteers struggle with their life choices. This is dealt with sensitively and honestly, recognising that limits to state support can combine with other difficulties to prevent vulnerable individuals reaching their potential. Sadly, not all problems can be fixed with a cuppa.
I really enjoyed reading this memoir of a growing community, while learning a little about conservation work. A gentle tale that reinforces the value and power of companionship, the natural world and a bit of hard work.
This might not sound like an auspicious beginning, but as ‘The Volunteers’ beautifully records, Carol’s decision to take on a new role within wildlife conservation, and specifically the group of volunteers she learns to manage as a significant part of that role, has far reaching, positive implications for her and the group.
Alongside recording the changing of the seasons and the conservation sector, this memoir is a touching exploration of the impact a community can have on its members.
-- What’s it about? --
When Carol’s world suddenly unravels, leaving her single and jobless, she stumbles upon an unexpected opportunity: leading a ragtag team of countryside conservation volunteers. At first glance, the prospect of nurturing Britain’s diverse wildlife in the great outdoors seems like a dream come true.
However, reality paints a different picture: her office is a ramshackle portacabin overrun with mice and plagued by leaky ceilings, and the volunteers are far from impressed with her lack of practical skills.
Despite this rocky beginning, Carol gradually earns the respect of her eclectic group of volunteers, forging a tight-knit community that will grow to become essential to each member.
This diverse group spans generations, from twenty-somethings to septuagenarians, with each of them looking to get something different out of volunteering, whether it’s a sense of purpose, a fresh start in life or a tick on their community service form. They also bring their unique quirks and life experiences to the mix.
Volunteer days soon evolve into the highlight of Carol’s week, as they bond over their love of nature, mental health battles, and the desire for companionship. As they work together outdoors, the team discover a simple yet powerful recipe for self-confidence, improved well- being and a newfound perspective on life’s challenges.
This journey not only brings solace and new joys to Carol’s weeks, but eventually it helps her move on with her life, too.
The Volunteers is a heartwarming tale that celebrates the redemptive force of the woods and wildlife. It underscores the universal need for belonging and illustrates how, even in the most unexpected places, we can find a community to call our own.
-- What’s it like? --
Insightful. Humorous. Tender. Donaldson explains in simple terms how the reduction in conservation funding over the years has impacted conservation groups and explains clearly – with just the right amount of detail – how and why her volunteer group pursue the activities she plans. Why do groups spend time pulling up sycamore seedlings, coppicing and making faggots, to name just a few tasks that might puzzle the public!
Chapters shift between accounts of life within the volunteer group and the tasks they complete – installing a kissing gate or completing a pond survey – and frequent appreciations of nature. Chapter four, for instance, moves seamlessly between reflections on the beauty of summer, the typical social class of conservation volunteers, people’s reasons for volunteering and Donaldson’s will-they, won’t-they relationship with one of her volunteers. I loved her evocation of the seasons:
‘Starlings flew in jubilant teenage gangs around the rooftops of the old city, joined by the swifts, sky-anchoring in a joy of tumbledown flight. Out in the fields, flowers fell across the downs and the grass was a hot mass of butterflies.’
-- Final thoughts --
Donaldson’s honesty means this is a genuinely touching memoir. Heartbroken by her ex-fiancé, then puzzled by the mixed signals sent by one of her volunteers, she is a woman in need of community and the delight she takes in the developing group spirit is a powerful reminder of the good that being part of a community can sow.
Mental health is a key topic that arises, as Donaldson herself struggles with overwork and some of her volunteers struggle with their life choices. This is dealt with sensitively and honestly, recognising that limits to state support can combine with other difficulties to prevent vulnerable individuals reaching their potential. Sadly, not all problems can be fixed with a cuppa.
I really enjoyed reading this memoir of a growing community, while learning a little about conservation work. A gentle tale that reinforces the value and power of companionship, the natural world and a bit of hard work.
August 23, 2024
3,5 stars
The Volunteers by Carol Donaldson is an inspiring book that sheds light on a subject many of us might not know much about: the protection of the natural world through the efforts of ordinary people. The story follows Donaldson as she tries to rebuild her life after a painful breakup and an unexpected redundancy. Taking on a new role, she leads a group of passionate volunteers while managing a seemingly endless task list of conservation projects assigned by her not-very-easy-going boss. The book offers an insightful look into her and the group's collective efforts to protect and restore nature, the challenges they face and the relationships they build along the way.
Donaldson's writing captures her passion and commitment to conservation as well as the deep love for nature shared by the volunteers. This makes the book both engaging and thought-provoking, showing how community spirit can create positive change, even when resources are limited.
However, the book does have some minor flaws. At times, the timeline is unclear, making it difficult to follow the sequence of events. Additionally, whilst the volunteers' work is in focus, some of the backstories could have used more development. We get glimpses into the lives of some individuals, but a deeper exploration of their lives and what led each core member to join the group would have added more depth to the narrative and helped readers feel more connected to them.
Overall, The Volunteers is a beautiful read for anyone interested in environmental conservation, as well as those who long for a sense of community or a closer connection to nature. For me, part of the book's appeal was how it highlighted the growing disconnect between urban living and the natural world. Despite some flaws in the writing, it provides valuable insights into the work of volunteer conservationists, their essential role in protecting the environment, and the impact community can have on our lives.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC. This review reflects my honest and personal views on the book.
The Volunteers by Carol Donaldson is an inspiring book that sheds light on a subject many of us might not know much about: the protection of the natural world through the efforts of ordinary people. The story follows Donaldson as she tries to rebuild her life after a painful breakup and an unexpected redundancy. Taking on a new role, she leads a group of passionate volunteers while managing a seemingly endless task list of conservation projects assigned by her not-very-easy-going boss. The book offers an insightful look into her and the group's collective efforts to protect and restore nature, the challenges they face and the relationships they build along the way.
Donaldson's writing captures her passion and commitment to conservation as well as the deep love for nature shared by the volunteers. This makes the book both engaging and thought-provoking, showing how community spirit can create positive change, even when resources are limited.
However, the book does have some minor flaws. At times, the timeline is unclear, making it difficult to follow the sequence of events. Additionally, whilst the volunteers' work is in focus, some of the backstories could have used more development. We get glimpses into the lives of some individuals, but a deeper exploration of their lives and what led each core member to join the group would have added more depth to the narrative and helped readers feel more connected to them.
Overall, The Volunteers is a beautiful read for anyone interested in environmental conservation, as well as those who long for a sense of community or a closer connection to nature. For me, part of the book's appeal was how it highlighted the growing disconnect between urban living and the natural world. Despite some flaws in the writing, it provides valuable insights into the work of volunteer conservationists, their essential role in protecting the environment, and the impact community can have on our lives.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC. This review reflects my honest and personal views on the book.
September 4, 2024
I really enjoyed this heart warming story by Carol Donaldson. Carol experiences a difficult period in her professional and personal life and takes up a new role leading a team of volunteers within a conservation organisation. Tasked with fencing, coppicing, habitat management and footpath maintenance, to name a few, it is a steep learning curve. But Carol has her trusty group of volunteers to guide her, particularly with the many new and unfamiliar tools. I learnt about sycamore bashing, Himalayan balsam and faggot making! Her confidence grows as does that of some of the volunteers. I particularly took to bookish Bella. It was interesting to read and reflect on the expectations of volunteers and their leader, levels enthusiasm, individual backgrounds and skills and mental health challenges. I had never really considered the reasons why people volunteer - putting back, social interaction, a sense of belonging and purpose, exercise, nature and fresh air, confidence, to learn new skills. All with lots of tea, coffee and conversation.
The book would be enjoyed by readers who like themes of friendship, accepting others, nature and nurture. I loved the design on the cover and the paper for the cover and book itself. It felt recycled, re purposed and appropriate for the book.
The book would be enjoyed by readers who like themes of friendship, accepting others, nature and nurture. I loved the design on the cover and the paper for the cover and book itself. It felt recycled, re purposed and appropriate for the book.
September 9, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As a person who loves the outdoors and all the splendour they have to offer, I also regularly find myself in the midst of volunteering, either to help conserve nature or to help get people out in nature so they can fall in love and also find good reason to care for it. This book grabbed at that love and need, but also touched on something we all experience or will come to experience, trying to find yourself and your journey with a group of people who have common interests but are vastly different. We all experience that in life, but we know people int he retirement stage or those in that stage have experienced themselves, that it is like starting over and you have to find yourself as well as finding and feeling comfortable in the group.
It was so interesting to ride along on this journey, especially as they fun happened and as we got to see inside a brilliant cast of characters, to their personalities and souls, and into their humour. I really enjoyed getting to know them and getting to laugh and sense the small fear of settling in, as it all felt so real and honest. It was also excellent to get an account of volunteering with them. Overall, a lovely read.
It was so interesting to ride along on this journey, especially as they fun happened and as we got to see inside a brilliant cast of characters, to their personalities and souls, and into their humour. I really enjoyed getting to know them and getting to laugh and sense the small fear of settling in, as it all felt so real and honest. It was also excellent to get an account of volunteering with them. Overall, a lovely read.
October 14, 2024
The Volunteers Carol Donaldson
In The Volunteers we meet a fascinating group of people, managed by Carol, who set out every week on a Thursday to work in the countryside. As skilled volunteers they work in woodlands, on hillsides and in rivers. They cut and clear trees, bracken and invasive species, and they mend paths, gates and fences.
I very much enjoyed meeting the members of the group and reading the descriptions of the areas where they worked, and the tales of campfires being flapped into life with a biscuit tin lid. It sounded very hard work but a lot of fun.
Carol observes the gains in everyone’s physical and mental health as her volunteers blend into a strongly supportive group. She also celebrates their connection with the country people who have worked together in this way over the centuries to maintain our countryside.
It was great to re-join Carol as she continues her career in conservation. (See her first book, On the Marshes) I love her dedication, and determination to get things done, despite the lack of funds and often poor working conditions. I look forward to the next installment!
In The Volunteers we meet a fascinating group of people, managed by Carol, who set out every week on a Thursday to work in the countryside. As skilled volunteers they work in woodlands, on hillsides and in rivers. They cut and clear trees, bracken and invasive species, and they mend paths, gates and fences.
I very much enjoyed meeting the members of the group and reading the descriptions of the areas where they worked, and the tales of campfires being flapped into life with a biscuit tin lid. It sounded very hard work but a lot of fun.
Carol observes the gains in everyone’s physical and mental health as her volunteers blend into a strongly supportive group. She also celebrates their connection with the country people who have worked together in this way over the centuries to maintain our countryside.
It was great to re-join Carol as she continues her career in conservation. (See her first book, On the Marshes) I love her dedication, and determination to get things done, despite the lack of funds and often poor working conditions. I look forward to the next installment!
October 20, 2024
The Volunteers gave me so many reasons to keep reading. The warmth, the will-they-won’t-they with Laurie and Carol, the connection with the outdoors and the ongoing development of the social connections with the quirky group of volunteers Carol managed. With a career in conservation, one might expect this memoir to cover more nature and wild woodlands than anything else. This isn’t the case, however. I love how the author weaves in her personal struggles, both mentally and emotionally, and the battles with her ever-demanding boss and the decaying cabin from which her job operates.
The book includes some evocative descriptions of summers by the riverbank, mossy deadwood hawthorns, left skeletal over winter and the powerful magic that wildlife, nature and water can pour over us in our most vulnerable and fragile moments. Beautifully written, full of empathy and honesty and so heartfully compelling, I’ve booked to see the author speak at a venue thirty-five miles away from my home!
Actively looking forward to reading more books by Carol Donaldson. For transparency, I was gifted a paperback by the publisher.
The book includes some evocative descriptions of summers by the riverbank, mossy deadwood hawthorns, left skeletal over winter and the powerful magic that wildlife, nature and water can pour over us in our most vulnerable and fragile moments. Beautifully written, full of empathy and honesty and so heartfully compelling, I’ve booked to see the author speak at a venue thirty-five miles away from my home!
Actively looking forward to reading more books by Carol Donaldson. For transparency, I was gifted a paperback by the publisher.
August 23, 2024
This is a true story of how one woman managed to get her life back on track after losing her job. Carol becomes a leader, a leader who is in charge of a group of volunteers that help to conserve nature. But there are some hurdles that she must jump through. The volunteers are all different ages and have come from different backgrounds so to see them volunteer is a great opportunity for Carol and for them to better their lives. It was lovely to see how they all changed for the better. I think volunteering is a great thing to do as it gives you great satisfaction about helping others or nature in this case and it gets people outdoors and talking to other people. I found this a calming and steady paced read. A good read.
January 7, 2025
The reason this book is so enjoyable is because Donaldson talks in detail about the volunteers, and people are just so interesting. Nature books tend to be single person, often a well educated white male perspective and this just doesn’t reflect most people’s experience of outdoors. This book turns that on its head. In the early chapters I was concerned we weren’t going to ‘get along’ but she made me rethink our attitudes to women pushing themselves forward into leadership positions. Why do we constantly assume women will take on more work and undervalue their own successes. They made a supportive community together and that should be the highest mark of success there is.
February 9, 2025
Truly, a beautiful book shows the good side to human nature and what's important to us all.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews