Micro-volunteering involves giving up a very small amount of your time to do something to help your community or the environment.
Find out more - watch our short video explainer.
We think that more micro-volunteering on paths could make a massive contribution towards improving the places where people walk. This is important because we know that better path networks are key to getting more people walking and wheeling for their everyday journeys.
The key to micro-volunteering is keeping things simple. Tasks should be quick to do, and shouldn't require any specialist equipment or training.
Here are some examples:
Clear branches
If you see any small branches growing onto a path, you could give them a quick snip with some pruners the next time you are passing.
Feed wildlife
Overly soft fruit can be left out for badgers, foxes and birds. Cut the fruit in half and spike it on a tree branch. Find out more from Make Space for Nature by NatureScot.
Become a citizen scientist
Help scientists help nature, download an app and quickly gather some nature data.
Clean a sign
Signs and information boards can become grubby and hard to read. Give them a quick wipe with a damp soapy cloth or a multipurpose biodegradable wipe the next time you pass by. This can make them look new again, and helps other visitors.
Pick litter
If you come across some litter that you feel you can safely dispose of why not put it in the closest bin or recycle it?
Go puddle busting
Pull on your wellies, find a stick and make a channel to drain the water away. Our Development Officer Tom Whalley shares how to go puddle busting in his blog.
These activities tie in with the five pathways to nature connectedness as you are having compassion for nature and the places where you walk. By doing them you can increase your levels of nature connectedness. You're also helping others to do the same!
People with higher levels of nature connectedness are happier, healthier and care more about the natural world.
Considering that we’re facing a mental health crisis, biodiversity loss on an unimaginable scale and a climate crisis, nature connectedness is becoming crucial.
Share what you have been up to on our Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram pages using the hashtag #WalkingWithNature.
Explore other ways to connect with nature using our Walking with Nature info hub.