Nature work day shopping list

A nature work day needs more than shovels and gloves. You’ll need enough tools for each work group, reliable drinking water, first aid supplies, and a simple setup for registration and breaks. This shopping list covers the practical items to buy, borrow, or bring before volunteers arrive. Check quantities against your final participant list and allow extra time to replace missing tools or collect supplies from different places.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 60
Tableclothsqty 8

Tools

Shovelsqty 15
Scoopsqty 10
Rakesqty 12
Hoesqty 10
Hand sawsqty 8
Pruning shearsqty 10
Loppersqty 6
Wheelbarrowsqty 6
Bucketsqty 12
Heavy-Duty Work Brushesqty 6

Safety

Work glovesqty 55
Safety gogglesqty 20
Vestsqty 55
First aid kitsqty 2
Tick removersqty 4
Flashlightsqty 8

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Water jerry cansqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 8
Extension cordsqty 4

Lighting

LED work lightsqty 8
String lightsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable mugsqty 60
Reusable platesqty 60
Reusable cutleryqty 60
Serving spoonsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Soup potsqty 3
Storage binsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Handwash sinksqty 2
Washing-up basinsqty 3

Registration

Clipboardsqty 6
Markersqty 12
Name stickersqty 70
Work zone signsqty 8
Conesqty 24

Catering

Groceries
- Brown bake-at-home rolls - 25 pieces
- Wholegrain bake-off bread - 20 pieces
- Mini bake-off rolls - 60 pieces
- Butter - 3 packs
- Young cheese - 2,5 kilogram
- Aged cheese - 1,5 kilogram
- Back ham - 1,5 kilogram
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Plain hummus - 6 tubs
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Apple syrup - 2 jars
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Iceberg lettuce - 4 heads
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 2 kilogram
- Onions - 1 kilogram
- Garlic - 3 bulbs
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Celery - 2 heads
- Potatoes - 4 kilograms
- Zucchini - 2 kilogram
- Leek - 1 kilogram
- Can diced tomatoes - 8 cans
- Vegetable stock - 3 boxes
- Cooking cream - 2 liters
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 60 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 3 bags
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea bags - 4 boxes
- Coffee creamer - 4 packs
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Honey - 2 jars
- Still water - 40 liters
- Sparkling water - 20 liters
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Cola - 6 liters
- Cola Zero - 6 liters
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Compostable trash bags - 30 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer gel - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Tea towels - 12 pieces
- Nitrile gloves - 2 boxes

Tips

Plan tools by work group rather than buying one of everything. Each group may need a shovel, rake, hoe, buckets or a wheelbarrow, while pruning work also requires hand saws, pruning shears, and loppers.
Provide one pair of work gloves for every volunteer, plus spare pairs for late arrivals or damaged gloves. Safety goggles and high-visibility vests should be available before any group starts working.
Allow at least 2 litres of drinking water per person for a full outdoor workday, with extra water for warm weather. Use water jerry cans and coolers so volunteers can refill without returning to the registration table.
Prepare a first aid kit and tick removers at the assembly point, not inside a vehicle or tent that may be moved. Pack flashlights and LED work lights if setup, cleanup, or travel may continue after daylight.
For a group break, count one reusable mug, plate, and set of cutlery per person, then add 10% spare tableware. Thermos flasks, foldable tables, chairs, and a tent are easy to forget when the work area has no sheltered rest point.

Frequently asked questions

How much water do I need for a nature work day?: Plan for at least 2 litres of drinking water per person for a full day outdoors. Bring more in warm weather or when volunteers will do heavy work, and keep it in water jerry cans or coolers.
How many pairs of work gloves should I buy?: Provide one pair per registered volunteer and add around 10% spare pairs. For 30 volunteers, that means preparing 33 pairs so replacements and late registrations are covered.
What safety equipment is needed for a nature work day?: Have work gloves, safety goggles, high-visibility vests, a first aid kit, and tick removers ready before work begins. Add eye protection for cutting or brush-clearing groups and keep the first aid supplies at the assembly point.
When should I check and reserve the tools?: Check all tools at least 7 days before the work day, especially shovels, rakes, hoes, saws, pruning tools, wheelbarrows, and buckets. Reserve or borrow missing tools immediately so there is time to find replacements.

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