Residential on Reserve (More than 4 weeks) (Exe Estuary, Devon)

When: Immediate start from March 2022 Commitment: 6 months

We are looking for an enthusiastic residential volunteer to join our Exe Estuary Reserves Team, based at the Exminster Marshes. The Exe Estuary reserves are internationally recognised as important sites for thousands of ducks, geese and waders, along with many rare dragonfly, aquatic plant and mammal species. You will gain knowledge and experience of managing nature reserves especially wet grassland sites. Your focus will be on a suite of habitats centred around the Exe Estuary, targeting breeding Lapwing and freshwater ecosystems as well as farmland birds including the iconic Cirl Bunting at our Labrador Bay reserve. Although posted in Exminster, the team manages nine diverse reserves, including marshes, woodland, mudflat and agricultural land.

As a residential volunteer, you will play an integral role in surveying, maintaining and running the reserves so that they provide the perfect home for nature and a fantastic experience for people.

What’s In It For You:

Typically, the placement centres around practical habitat management and estate work tasks ranging from hedge laying, fencing, moving cattle, mowing and coppicing. We also undertake a range of survey work from breeding bird surveys to butterfly transects. There are visitor engagement opportunities, chances to develop leadership skills and more.

If visitor experience and events are more your thing, there is an opportunity to focus your time on this area of the business, helping us develop and deliver a whole range of events from low key to VIP, including helping get our Big Wild Sleep Out up and running this summer.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be supported and develop your existing skills. If you are looking for a career in environmental conservation this is a great place to start. All appropriate training is given and free accommodation provided.

Requirements:

You must be enthusiastic, have the ability to work as part of a team and a keen interest in wildlife and conservation. An ability to work outside in all weathers and undertake strenuous manual labour, as work can be physically demanding especially in winter.

Minimum age 18 and a driving license is essential.

Notes:

Appropriate training will be provided and pre-agreed expenses will be re-imbursed where necessary.