Pauline Gray is a volunteer at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond and as part of Volunteers’ Week 2017 has shared her experience with us of what’s she’s been involved in since starting with us.
My time at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond
I would love to share with you my time being a Volunteer at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond. I have been volunteering for almost two years now and it has been the most amazing experience. I have had a passion for nature since being a young child where I spent as much time as I could being outdoors exploring! It was all about finding new things and learning more about it that was exciting for me and I still feel the same today.
Being involved with RSPB Scotland is giving me the chance to continue to learn new things but also being able to share what I know with other people and it's a great feeling. Since being a volunteer I have had the opportunity to be very involved with the team at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond and one of my main roles is a Learning Assistant which involves going to schools or having schools coming to us. It is so rewarding when a child tells you that they have had an amazing time on the reserve!
I also do fundraising, events, cruises and guided walks and meet and greet the public at our Nature Hub. I talk with people about our reserve and wildlife, helping them to identify a bird by song or listening to their wildlife experiences is always a great day as a volunteer.
Our Nature Reserve is such a special place to me and I love promoting what we do here for all its wildlife for future generations. It's a stunning place to work and be involved with! I have been encouraged so much by the staff and enjoy working with a great team of volunteers. It has been a great experience that I hope to continue with for a long time.
We've opportunities across Scotland to get involved with volunteering for us whether you have an hour to spare now and then or are looking at a residential stay. Find out more here.
Catch up on our blogs celebrating Volunteers' Week 2017 so far:
Celebrating our volunteers
Foraging Fun at Loch Lomond
My volunteer experience
What is it like being a residential volunteer?
The Shetland RSPB Youth Volunteers