What is the project about?
The nature conservation sector is the least diverse sector out of all of the charitable sectors, and we cannot save nature unless we have the buy-in of all communities living in the UK. Froglife set up a three-year comprehensive nature conservation training programme that started in 2022, where fifteen aspiring conservationists are trained in wildlife conservation techniques and practical skills. We are currently working with our year three recruits in the hope that they will enter the conservation sector.
This project has been kindly funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund along with Cambridgeshire Community Fund.
We recruited to reflect the diversity of the communities living, studying and working in Peterborough and the surrounding areas. The training will take place at our managed reserves: Hampton (HNR), Boardwalks & Thorpe Meadows (Boardwalks NR) and Eye Green.
What are the aims?
This project is making two major differences, it has diversified the sector and improve habitats in Peterborough. The trainees relay nature conservation messages from a UK perspective to their communities and they will evidence that we do want to be inclusive. It equips our trainees to be able to obtain employment within the sector and encourage other organisations to run similar schemes, further widening the diversity within the sector through employment, volunteering and engagement. An important outcome from this project is that HNR, Boardwalks NR and Eye Green have benefited from improved habitat/species management through works undertaken by the trainees and volunteers.
What are we going to do?
The trainees have obtained year-round experience of managing our reserves and as these reserves offer such variety, they have learnt how to manage most habitats and increase their knowledge of a wide range of species. The training programme covers:
- Froglife’s GCN, reptile and habitat management courses delivered by our Ecologists.
- The possibility of attending external training courses in brush-cutting, chainsaw, health and safety and first aid.
- Undertake GCN and reptile surveys on Hampton Nature Reserve
- Join the Hampton Nature Reserve Butterfly Group to record butterflies.
- Attend weekly volunteer days at Hampton Nature Reserve to gain an understanding of volunteering and to inform setting up volunteer groups.
- Undertake conservation actions at all reserves, these will include species surveying and recording and habitat management including freshwater, woodlands and grasslands.
- Set up a volunteer group for each of the reserves with 12-15 volunteers attending and rotating sessions
- Trainees have given presentations at staff meetings and a presentation to the Board of Trustees at the end of their traineeship, enabling them to develop valuable presentation skills.
- They spend 2 days per month in the Froglife office to gain project management/finances/fundraising/administration experience. They are also
supported by the senior management team in developing their CVs and are signposted to employment opportunities
How to get involved
Please contact our Reserve Warden & Trainer at: clare.middleton@froglife.org for further information!
Thanks to our Funder
