Ian’s Story: Volunteer Trainee Reserves Officer

I joined the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust as a volunteer trainee reserves officer in 2019. At the time I was recently graduated and looking for an opportunity to get into conservation work so I was thrilled to get a 12-month placement with an organisation as reputable as the Wildlife Trusts.

The programme was an agreement based on three days spent volunteering a week. To begin with, two of these days were usually spent joining the conservation volunteer work parties and one day was spent helping a member of the reserves team with anything that needed attention. One thing that struck me very quickly was the sheer amount of variety present in an average week working in conservation. Between practical work, surveying, and desk-based work there are an incredible number of different tasks that go into making sure that the reserves run smoothly.

It was very useful to be able to join in with the work parties twice a week and this really helped me get a feel for the different land management techniques employed by the Trust. Across the range of habitats in Herefordshire every site has its own unique quirks and management needs that present a range of site-specific tasks. Between woodlands, wetlands, meadow and pasture there was the chance to get to grips with a range of different tools and processes. From hay cutting and coppicing to fencing and hedge-laying there’s something there for any area of interest or specialism.

In addition to the practical management there was a range of other experience available. Having not studied a conservation related subject at university it was fantastic to work with such a knowledgeable team. Staff and volunteers alike were always forthcoming with information and any pointers needed. Over the course of the traineeship I was given in-house training in Geographic Information Systems which has since proved invaluable for reserves work. In addition to this I was taken through the necessary species ID skills for a number of surveys regularly employed by the Trust.

One advantage of a long-term commitment is that as you begin to figure your way around the reserves, the workshop, and the various tasks that need doing over the course of a year. As this process unfolds there is the chance to get more experience working independently which is a skillset that I appreciate having been given the chance to develop.

All in all, I can’t recommend a Wildlife Trust traineeship enough. In addition to the qualifications gained, the skills and experience solidified over the course of my volunteering have been consistently valuable since. I’m grateful to say that I’m now working for the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust as Conservation Volunteer Support Officer and I am keen to ensure that the next group of trainees are able to get as much from their placements as I was from mine.