I was very excited to start my traineeship at Froglife and make the most of all the opportunities it provides. I could not wait to get stuck in and to start gaining experience and developing the relevant skills for a career in conservation. Having volunteered in the past and lived in the Forth Valley for 4 years whilst at university, I was thrilled to accept this paid traineeship for the Come Forth for Wildlife Project.
I have been very lucky to start my traineeship at Froglife in person, being able to work with my colleagues James and Rosie in the office for part of the week, alongside participating in various events and spending some days working from home.
In my first week, I joined Rosie at Gartmorn Dam Country Park in Clackmannanshire for a Volunteer Session with a group from Forth Valley College. Restoration of the pond here at Gartmorn Dam has been underway during the autumn and winter, managed by the Come Forth for Wildlife Project. At the Volunteer Session we cleared litter from the surrounding area and created some hibernacula to provide shelter for reptiles and amphibians whilst they overwinter. In the New Year a dipping platform and interpretation board will be installed at the site.
In my third week at Froglife I was extremely lucky to travel down to London for Froglife’s Christmas get-together at London Zoo! I had a great time and was very fortunate to meet most of the organisation. One of the favourite animals I saw was the Blue Poison Dart Frog which you may have seen on Froglife’s social media (if not take a peek!)!
Last week I joined James at Drumbowie Community Park for the start of a pond restoration taking place at the habitat site. It was really interesting to see all the steps which have to take place before the works can start. I took many photos before and during the habitat works and was able to go back to the site later in the week to see the difference the contractors had already made. I am looking forward to helping at Volunteer Sessions at Drumbowie in the New Year to help make even more of a difference for the amphibians and reptiles.
Within my first month at Froglife I feel I have learnt so much already from these and various other events I have been to, such as the Volunteer Session, a Mapestry Tour set-up and a Virtual Reality Exhibition at Blair Drummond Safari Park, and also from meetings with different members of the organisation and from the Come Forth for Wildlife Team itself who have welcomed me with open arms. I’m now looking forward to 2022 more than ever. Merry Christmas everyone!🎄
Installing the 12 panel Map Tapestry at Carrongrange High School!