Surveyor (Not on a Reserve) (Bumblebees / Pollinators / Butterflies - Cambridgeshire)

Why we need you:

Many bird, plant and other animal species are declining and to conserve them we need to understand more about their populations and their breeding numbers. Our Volunteer Monitoring of Farm Wildlife (VMFW) pilot project aims to link volunteers, both experienced and new, with farmers across England to survey their on-farm wildlife. Our vision is for a sustainable, cost-effective volunteer wildlife survey service for farmers that generates tangible conservation benefits.

We are looking for volunteers who can complete wildlife surveys to collect essential data to monitor population trends and help inform the science behind our work as part of the VMFW project in Cambridgeshire.

What you’ll be doing:

• Undertaking bumblebee / pollinator / butterfly surveys on farms on a weekly / monthly / annual basis during spring and summer.
• Recording the results on a map, or an in-field survey app.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with farmers and land managers.
• Facilitating support for wildlife friendly land management.
• Stay in touch with the VMFW project via volunteering online system Assemble.
• [Optional] Supporting less experienced volunteers by acting as a mentor / buddy.

Skills needed:

• Ability to walk 5- 8km, sometimes on uneven terrain.
• Basic identification skills of bumblebees / pollinators / butterflies, or an interest in increasing your identification and survey knowledge. There may be opportunities to work with a mentor / buddy if preferred.
• Enthusiasm for conservation and can act as an ambassador for the RSPB.
• Tact/diplomacy.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills to build and maintain a relationship with farmer(s).
• Ability to work with sensitive data and adhere to GDPR guidelines.

What’s in it for you:

• Training in ID and survey skills to ensure that you are prepared for each individual survey.
• Develop hands on experience and skills around surveying.
• An opportunity to be out in nature and benefit your own health and wellbeing.
• The chance to take enjoyment from the natural world by observing wildlife closely.
• Meeting like-minded people.
• The opportunity to use your skills to make a direct impact for species, nature and the environment.

Additional information:

• Our Volunteer Coordinators work variable hours, but we will aim to respond to your application as soon as possible and no later than a week after the closing date.
• Please be aware that this project is highly dependent on the number of volunteers and farms involved, so your volunteer status may remain inactive until we can pair you with a suitable farm.
• In your application, please inform us whether you wish to act as a mentor / buddy to a new surveyor and of the wildlife survey(s) you're interested in in the "Why do you want to apply for this role?" section. You can choose either one species, a combination or all species as your option(s).

Closing date: 13/03/2023.