What's it like to work for the Countryside team?

The Countryside team recently welcomed Ellie, aged 15, for four days work experience. Ellie kindly wrote us a blog about her experience.

''The team made me feel so welcome and comfortable during my week's work experience. I’ve really enjoyed getting stuck in with tasks and jobs they’ve thrown at me, and I’ve learnt a lot about working at nature reserves, including Seaton wetlands. On my first day, I had an introduction to the team with James, the Countryside Manager, we had to adapt because of bad weather so I joined in with some admin work at the Seaton Wetlands office. That afternoon Ben, the Assistant Ranger and I went to Trinity Hill and replaced the data capture sensors placed at either end of the site, which count how many people visit.

Tuesday morning was spent with Countryside Ranger Dave and his volunteers, we all worked together to replace boardwalks, fix fences and enjoyed a lovely coffee break. After lunch I headed to Knapp Copse with James and Ben to take part in a dormouse survey. I really really enjoyed doing this and felt extremely honoured to have been there with the team when they found their first set of 5 little baby dormouse. James and Ben were very pleased, they’d never seen babies at this site before! There were five in the nest, and they looked like tiny pink jelly babies.

On Wednesday, Fiona the Countryside Assistant, and I worked in the Discovery Hut, at Seaton Wetlands, I loved this. I got to make drinks and really enjoyed meeting new visitors and welcoming people into the site. It was quite busy that afternoon but I felt really comfortable with Fiona and had a great time. Everyone I met was so lovely and it really felt like a community amongst the volunteers and staff up in the Discovery Hut.

Finally, on Thursday I spent the morning with James in the office helping with emails and creating some really cool content for the Wild East Devon social media, including writing this blog, and in the afternoon, I helped out around the depot and yard sorting out equipment and tidying away tools.

I’ve really enjoyed my week with the Countryside team, learning about site management and nature conservation and will definitely be coming back over the summer holidays. I believe a lot of what I have been learning about and doing will have really enhanced my CV and workplace skills for the future.’’