Meet a Volunteer- Becky Hewins

I’m Becky and I’m a final year Meteorology student at the University the Reading and I started volunteering with the Dorset Wildlife Trust in August 2009. I have always had an interest in the environment and the so I took opportunity to volunteer with the DWT as part of the Vinvolved project. My passion for it has led me to continue to volunteer with DWT during my Christmas and Easter vacations.

Always rewarding

I enjoy working with DWT as every day brings new experiences and the opportunity to learn new skills. Sam’s enthusiasm and his willingness to impart knowledge on reserve management and why we were doing what we were doing makes tasks such as scrub clearance and digging holes fun. It is always rewarding at the end of the day to see how much we have achieved.

Brownsea a favourite Reserve

Since I started volunteering I have visited many of the Trust’s reserves. A particular favourite is Brownsea Island which I have visited a couple of times to do Rhodi bashing. The days are made all the more enjoyable by entertaining boat crossings (in which I get soaked quite a lot) and I enjoy seeing red squirrels as they are more awesome than grey squirrels.

Signs are important in the reserves, and one of the things I helped with was replacing many of them. Doing this I learnt how important the signs are to the public as once when we took a sign down, a lorry driver then couldn’t find Brooklands Farm. I also learnt the importance of taking the right number of posts to put the signs up with!

I've done loads of things!

Other exciting experiences that I’ve had include building a bridge over a stream at Brackett’s Coppice, planting a hedgeline at Lorton Meadows and pond restoration at Lesson House and Beacon Hill. I have also learnt many practical skills such as how to saw, drill and fell small trees.

As part of the work we do I have also gained knowledge on native species, such as species identification for deer, reptiles, amphibians and other flora and fauna. This is an aspect of volunteering with the DWT which I find particularly interesting.

Next steps? A Masters degree

Through my time volunteering with the DWT I have become more passionate about conservation and this has led me to be accepted on a Masters degree in Wildlife Management and Conservation. I hope to use this, along with experience gained at DWT, to pursue a career in conservation.

Working with this great and ever changing group of young people has been great fun and my confidence has increased. I looked forward to further adventures with the Dorset Wildlife Trust.
 

If you would like to get stuck into environmental volunteering, and experience such a wide range of tasks - drop a line to Sam Hamer, our Youth Volunteering Officer, at or ring 01202 642788