Whether you are managing your own site, or helping to look after other sites in your local area - like the school nature area or the village pond - you still need to plan a programme to match your action plan. - Give some thought to matching the volunteers to the work and choosing the right time of year.
- Volunteers like to have a variety of work, so even if you are working to your management plan don't make them clear rhododendrons every time you meet.
- Remember that generally people do not like being cold and wet. Plan projects where you expect to get wet during the warmer months.
- When you are expecting a lot of first time volunteers after your initial launch or a major publicity drive, plan simple but satisfying work.
- Make less popular jobs more exciting by ending the day with a party or barbecue.
- Vary your programme by including small scale projects held in the evening, or a number of unusual projects to attract a wider range of volunteers.
- Avoid undue disturbance to wildlife. For example, ponds should be cleared in late summer or early autumn, and scrub should be cleared outside the bird nesting season.
There is a calendar of appropriate months for management activities in the BTCV 'Hands on…' series of leaflets. 
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