Do you love chatting with people and enthusing them about nature? That is the life of a Coombes Valley visitor volunteer!
The reserve wouldn't be where it is without its team of volunteers and we need your help. Lend me your ear for a moment and let’s see if I can convince you why it’s a great place to get involved.
I arrived as a full time volunteer intern at the beginning of March, the trees were still bare but the reserve was alive with spring energy. Since then the canopy has grown in and the meadows have filled with wild flowers. I am constantly learning because there is so much to discover in this incredible valley.
What is so incredible?
Well, sit on any of the viewpoint benches and you’ll see a canopy of mixed colours and heights. That canopy disguises a world of intrigue; a valley so full of life, history and things to discover that it could very will be bottomless beneath those tree tops.
As you make your way down the main track, plunging into the heart of the valley you’ll find that a brook meanders past and 18th century cottage, while next to it the remains of an industrial past lay dormant in the grass.
These are just a few of the hidden depths at Coombes Valley, some are man-made but the greatest, the most intricate and the most secret are the work of nature itself.
I spend my days in the information centre trying to communicate all this to our visitors, especially to the children. Meeting children who are passionate about nature and inspiring others to get involved with it is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world.
One of our favourite ways to get kids excited about nature is the bug pot challenge: http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/placestovisit/coombeschurnet/b/coombeschurnet-blog/archive/2014/05/23/bug-pots-getting-kids-up-close-and-personal-with-nature.aspx
If you are passionate about nature and a great communicator, there are a whole host of volunteering opportunities with the visitor team here at Coombes.
We'd love for you to help us make the reserve bigger, better and more connected so as many people as possible get the most out of their visit.
So, whether you're looking to help out at occasional events, practice your photography or build experience for a career in conservation, it's an amazing place to spend your time.
If you'd like to know more, come and visit us in the information centre, or drop us an email at Coombes.Valley@rspb.org.uk.