My Internship with RSPB Dorset by Andrew Thompson
RSPB Dorset's Intern, Andrew Thompson, talks about developing his passion for conservation and education... Throughout my internship with the RSPB in Dorset I’ve been encouraged to participate in a wide range of projects and events. I’m primarily based at the Kingfisher Barn Visitor Centre at the Stour Valley Local Nature Reserve. I work closely with the RSPB Schools Outreach project, which is a partnership with Aldi that aims to connect young people with the natural world.
Working with this project, I’ve independently produced Key Stage appropriate material for a number of school visits to the Kingfisher Barn. I have also helped develop a student lead project to promote the importance of pollinator species within an urban environment, the project is called, ‘Bumble in the Concrete Jungle’!
As well as this, through my RSPB internship, I’m working closely with Bournemouth University’s Wildlife Conservation Society (of which I am a member) to develop the Big Wild Student Challenge! This will give students the chance to get involved with a range of different, nature-based volunteering activities.
Being an intern with the RSPB has offered me some great opportunities and amazing experiences. It has shown me the benefits of partnership working to save nature and allowed me to experience being part of a large team, who have expertise in such a wide area of conservation subjects. I’ve also been able to connect with RSPB staff throughout the organisation and with key external people too, who also work within the sector.
I’ve really enjoyed the chance to work independently on school visits and lead events at the Kingfisher Barn, it’s enabled me to polish my organisational skills, increased my knowledge base and grown my confidence too.
My internship with the RSPB, which finishes in September 2017, has helped to reinforce the fact that educational work within a conservation organisation is the pathway I would like to explore after completing of my university degree in Ecology and Wildlife Conservation.
What got me interested in conservation?From a young age, wildlife and conservation have been my passion. In fact, one of my earliest memories is when, as a small child, I went on a walk with my mother and we came upon a dead badger. At the time it was my dream to become a vet, but I couldn’t quite pronounce the letter ‘V’ yet! So I announced to my mum: “When I’m a wet, I’m going to help this badger”!!
Through the years I drifted away from the idea of veterinary sciences (just as I learnt to pronounce my V’s!) and I was drawn towards the prospect of teaching. But spending my days cooped-up in a classroom, wouldn’t allow me to continue my love of exploring nature, wildlife and conservation. That’s when I discovered Conservation Education, which marries both passions – allowing me to contribute to education, whilst still enjoying the outdoors and inspiring young people about nature too.
So, to pursue my dream I applied to the University of Bournemouth, to study their Ecology and Wildlife Conservation BA – and thankfully I was accepted. Dorset is a great place to live, with the New Forest to the east, the Jurassic Coast to the west and expanses of heathland in and around Bournemouth. Dorset was the place that I wanted to be.
Working as part of the RSPB Dorset team, I have so many different habitats at my fingertips, with amazing green spaces such as Hengistbury Head and RSPB Arne, offering unique nature experiences every time you visit, throughout the whole year.