Getting my hands dirty: habitat management and fieldwork

One of the core components of this traineeship involves hands-on habitat management and fieldwork. This includes invasive plant removal, which is crucial for maintaining the health and diversity of our ecosystems. This is removing species such as Himalayan balsam, various doc and thistle species and ragwort. I also spend time working on our nature reserves, ensuring these areas are well-maintained for the public to enjoy. This can involve anything from the removal of old timber from sites to brush cutting to keep paths clear and habitats open or to trudging through wetland to map out where invasive species are hiding. Fieldwork is always varied and never dull.

Pollinating Cheshire

A highlight of my traineeship is working on the Pollinating Cheshire project. This initiative focuses on creating and maintaining habitats that support pollinators across Cheshire, which are essential for biodiversity. My tasks for this project are diverse and require a good mix of technical skills and fieldwork.

We start with soil sampling and baseline meadow plant species surveying to understand the current state of our sites. This helps us determine what actions are needed to improve habitat quality. Initial site visits allow us to plan out how we are going to tackle a site.

Another aspect of my role, which is new to our Pollinating Cheshire project, is conducting pollinator surveys to monitor the impact of our work. This is a task I have been trusted to take the lead with, where I help recruit and manage volunteers who assist with these surveys, ensuring we have the manpower to cover as much ground as possible and ensure they have the right training to identify pollinator species accurately.

Growing for the future: The nursery

Another vital part of my role involves helping at our Bickley Farm nursery. Here, we grow the plants used in the Pollinating Cheshire project and other conservation efforts. The nursery is a hub of activity and learning, where I get to work closely with volunteers on tasks like potting on, which is the process of transferring seedlings into larger pots to promote their growth, sowing seeds and general nursery maintenance tasks. Working in the nursery provides a nice balance to the fieldwork. It's a place where you can see the direct results of your efforts as plants grow and thrive, ready to be planted out in the wild.

Gearing up: training and qualifications

As part of this traineeship, I am also working towards several important qualifications that will enhance my ability to contribute effectively to conservation work. These include obtaining an ATV license and trailer towing qualifications, with the opportunity for more to be completed.

The bigger picture: The importance of conservation

Through my work at Cheshire Wildlife Trust, I have come to appreciate just how vital conservation efforts are. Every invasive plant removed, every tree planted, and every pollinator counted contributes to the broader goal of preserving our countryside. The hands-on experience I've gained, coupled with the support of a passionate team and dedicated volunteers, has only strengthened my commitment to conservation efforts.

In conclusion, being a Nature Recovery Trainee is not just a job; it's a mission to make a tangible difference. Whether I'm out in the field or working in the nursery, every day brings new challenges and rewards. It's a role that combines hard work with a deep sense of purpose, knowing that what we do today will help protect and restore Cheshire's natural beauty for future generations. Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I hope you feel inspired to support and engage with conservation efforts within your own community.

Emily's passion and commitment have helped us make significant strides in our nature recovery goals and we're excited to see the continued impact of her work.
Thanks to one of our longstanding members whose generous donation is supporting this traineeship.

If you would like to consider supporting a future trainee, please contact Jo Darlington on jdarlington@cheshirewt.org.uk