What inspires you about wildlife and conservation?

For me my inspiration comes from the fact that the work helps to ensure a world where future generations can enjoy the experience of nature in its true form and co-exist with the plethora of beautiful species that live within it.  I believe it is important to maintain a healthy eco system as this natural structure is what aids humans in day to day use.  Conservation to me is incredibly rewarding as you are helping to make the world a better place.  Conservation is an opportunity to repair some of the damage humans have inflicted and provide opportunities for education and the enjoyment of the environment.  With the looming deadline of no return for climate change I believe it is mine, and every other humans, responsibility to work together to help save the earth and protect it from the detrimental damage it will face if we do not step in.

What was your favorite activity this week?

I really enjoyed all of the tasks however the work party days were probably my favorite as it gave me an insight to the active volunteering side of conservation work, it was very rewarding as I felt I learnt a lot about what the Trust does and felt the work I did contributed to the Trust and welfare of the reserves.  I enjoyed being outdoors especially in the nice weather.  I took part in a variety of physical jobs, on my first day I was working on Wessington pasture.  I used tools to remove ragwort from the fields where cattle are grazing and helping to rake up strimmed undergrowth.  On my second day I was at Littley Coppice where I removed tree guards from saplings that had overgrown them and other volunteers used saws to cut up felled trees to use as firewood.

What new fact did you learn from your week with us?

I learned a large variety of new things throughout my week and a lot of interesting facts about conservation and the wildlife around me.  One fact I learned was that ragwort (when dried) is poisonous and potentially lethal to livestock.  Another fact that I learnt was that badgers often take the exact same route to familiar places and also have multiple entrances to their burrows. They also dig communal holes for their route.

Do you think you would consider a career in conservation now, or were you already considering one?

Yes, I was already considering a career in conservation but my experience here has definitely helped me to see the possibilities within the field.  I hope to do some more volunteering work in the near future, and will definitely consider more work in conservation in the future.