Residential on Reserve (More than 4 weeks) (Long term placement - Aylesbeare)

When: Any time from June 2022

Commitment: Full time (five days a week) - 3 months minimum

Duration: 3 - 12 months

Why We Want You:

The East Devon Reserves Team, based at Aylesbeare Common, is looking for an enthusiastic residential volunteer who is keen to learn and dedicate their careers to nature conservation. Our work is focused on the management of internationally scarce lowland heath. We are in the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths SSSI, recently declared a National Nature Reserve. It supports rare and specialist species, such as the southern damselfly, Dartford warbler, and the silver-studded blue butterfly. The wet and dry heaths are fringed with broadleaf and conifer margins, peppered with ponds and mire and contain unique plant communities. Work includes a variety of hands on and mechanical scrub and bracken control, and management of conservation grazing livestock and associated infrastructure. There will be the opportunity for survey work, depending on the season, and you may also be involved in the delivery of engagement events such as guided walks and Heath Week.

What’s In It For You:

Are you looking to get into working in the practical conservation sector? A residential volunteering stint with us will help you find what you’re interested in, what you’re good at, and give you the skills and experience that will help you to get a job in nature conservation. During your stay, you will be a key member of our small friendly team, assisting in all aspects of our work. You will learn practical habitat, livestock and estate management skills. You will also develop skills in surveying and monitoring, leadership and organisation.

This is an excellent chance to make a genuine contribution to wildlife conservation. You will gain a valuable insight into the workings of the RSPB, the UK’s largest nature conservation charity. By the end, we’ll have you leading volunteer work parties, working in varied sites across East Devon, and you’ll become extremely fit!

Requirements:

You must be keen, a good team worker and passionate about wildlife and conservation. Natural history knowledge is a real bonus but it’s not essential, and working for the RSPB does not mean that you have to have been a bird spotter since you were 8 years old: there’s always more to learn and our work support some very important species besides birds. What you must have is a demonstrable passion for conservation and being outdoors! We are looking for enthusiastic and proactive individuals, wanting to learn as much as to contribute. The ability to undertake strenuous manual labour and a willingness to work outdoors in all weathers helps, this is Devon after all! We are a small team and we work hard.

Minimum age 18 and a full clean driving license is essential.

Notes:

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

Accommodation (including bills) is provided.

For more information, please contact:

Fiona Daggett RSPB Hawkerland Brake Barn Exmouth Road Aylesbeare EXETER EX5 2JS

Telephone: 01395 233655

Email: fiona.daggett@rspb.org.uk