The View from Here: A Year with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

Sara

Sara is a Chartered Environmentalist working in policy development for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). In her current role she is a programme manager with the Nature for Climate Fund’s Trees Team.

Photograph courtesy of Savannah Witham

Telling our Story volunteer Sara recently got to chat with Savannah Witham, one of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Nature Reserve Trainees, who is nearing the end of a one-year placement. She explains why she decided to embark on a year of volunteering alongside her studies; who inspired her; what she has enjoyed and give advice to someone considering taking a similar route.

What inspired you to take on this traineeship at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust?

Savannah: I’m studying a Zoology degree at Leeds University and that needs a year’s industry placement. It wasn’t financially feasible for me to take an unpaid job where I had to move to the other end of the country. I dropped on this traineeship opportunity on its closing day, applied at the last minute and I got it! It’s great as it is just 10 minutes from where I live, I get expenses as well as being funded to do paid-for training. I graduate next summer and want to go on to do a Master’s degree in Biodiversity.

Volunteers on site leaning against a fence — At Carr Lodge with the Wednesday Humberhead Levels Volunteers - (c) Helen Norford

Who’s your green hero?

Savannah: David Attenborough, for the way his documentaries catch that attention of a wide range of people. His recent Netflix movie ‘A Life On Our Planet’ describes what happens if we don’t do anything on the nature and climate emergency. My second hero is Dian Fossey who dedicated her life to research on primates and the conservation of mountain gorillas – for anyone interested, there are many videos available as well as works of literature that tell the story.

Do you have a favourite nature spot you love visiting?

Savannah: If I have to choose a favourite, it must be YWT’s Thorpe Marsh, near Doncaster. It is a small reserve that has pastures, hedges, ponds, lakes and small woodlands – there is so much to see! I’ve volunteered there outside of my traineeship hours, doing butterfly surveys with the Supporters Group. I have made great friends and it has brought additional volunteering opportunities outside, of the traineeship.

Thorpe Marsh reserve in summer — Thorpe Marsh in summer...

Thorpe Marsh reserve in winter with snow — ...And in winter. A reserve well worth a visit, no matter what the season! - both photos (c) Savannah Witham

Which part of the traineeship are you most excited about? Fieldwork, research, or something else entirely?

Savannah: My volunteering year has been so varied, it is different day to day. It is hard to say what I have enjoyed most, but I think it must be working with the Conservation Grazing team at Low Carr farm. During lambing, I stayed there in a tent, getting up at 5am and doing a full day’s work with the Hebridean ewes and their lambs.

I’d no real idea of what to expect when I started. I’ve now done lots of reserves work, learning and practising skills like forestry, All Terrain Vehicle driving, hedging, even how to fix a hide roof. I’ve done lots of surveying and other training through the year, including breeding bird surveys, butterfly research and bird ringing. I’ve taken part in public events that get people outside, things like Fungi Fest at Potteric Carr and family events like Forest Skills for Tots. I’ve really enjoyed supporting the Conservation Grazing team, feeding the cows, ponies and sheep. Finally, my line manager has been brilliant in letting me shadow them.

Trainee Savannah holding a lamb — The opportunity to get involved with lambing was a definite highlight of the year - (c) Savannah Witham

What would you say to anyone thinking of taking up a volunteering placement?

Savannah: Anyone with an interest can do this, don’t let imposter syndrome put you off. Everyone has their niche, our trainers make it so good as you get to dabble in this or that and learn so much. Go ahead and grasp every opportunity!