Blogger: Lou Gregory, RSPB Volunteering Co-ordinator, Minsmere
In the world of wildlife, spring is that magical time of new growth, new homes and new families. In our world too, spring is bringing in the new!
This year, for the first time, we are excited to be the new home of BBC Springwatch at our flagship Minsmere nature reserve, nestled between Southwold and Aldeburgh on the beautiful Suffolk heritage coast.
As we welcome the BBC to their new home at Minsmere, the reserve will be in the ‘spot light’ for the next three years, and we’re looking to extend our family by offering an amazing opportunity for people to volunteer and be part of the Minsmere team.
Minsmere is already teeming with life (it is home to 5,600 different species!) but we are anticipating a big increase in visitors this year, all clamouring to see in person the fascinating world of wildlife that BBC Springwatch will have brought to their screens during May and June this year.
We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers with a ready smile and a passion for wildlife, who can strike up conversations with a wide variety of visitors to the reserve and help them to get the most out of their visit.
You don’t need to be a bird or wildlife expert, just keen to learn, as all necessary training will be provided.
Volunteers are required to commit to working a minimum of five days between 26 May - 30 October 2014. We have a variety of roles throughout the reserve from our busy café and shop to talking to visitors in reception and out on the trails about the wildlife.
The RSPB is the country's largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. We have 17,000 volunteers across the UK, donating their time to help save nature – and this year, you could be one of them!
If you are interested in seeing ‘behind the scenes’ of a busy working nature reserve and helping others to enjoy one of the UK’s best loved locations on the wildlife rich Suffolk coast, visit www.rspb.org.uk/volunteering for more information. For an application pack, email minsmere@rspb.org.uk or call 01728 648281.