Carbon Volunteers are crucial in achieving our ambitions to the shear extent that we have for Carbon Landscape and Wider Nature Improvement area. The project has allowed volunteers, like Annie, to upskill themselves, support our ongoing projects, and enable local action by giving local communities a voice for their landscape.
Annie carried out a 9-month placement supporting the Carbon Restoration Project. Her overall aim was to help the Landscape Restoration Project Officer with his duties and assist other members of staff to reach their project aims, which was ultimately to enhance connectivity for wildlife and people.
As a Restoration Placement and a Landscape Champion, Annie had access to more training opportunities gaining national recognised certificates in Pesticides and Brush cutter, alongside in-house training in GIS software, Health and Safety, species ID and Surveying. Annie produced several high quality reports that are helping formulate future restoration projects. She spent time with many partners, including GMEU and Mersey Rivers Trust developing links and broadening her skills and knowledge. After volunteering with Carbon Landscape for 9 months, Annie found employment delivering upland breeding bird surveys in Scotland for the remainder of the summer.
Annie felt that the best part of the job was getting to work outdoors with other conservation enthusiasts and visiting nature sites. Annie was particularly fascinated with Pestfurlong Moss and the rewetting work being carried out. With MMU, she installed three dipwells on site to monitor water levels. She also supported volunteer days, helped restore several habitats across the Mosslands Trail, carried out peat analysis surveys at New Moss Wood and wildflower surveys at Whitehead Hall. Her work has further progressed her dissertation on ‘The effects on vegetation and peat soils throughout the rewetting of a lowland raised bog habitat’.
“I’m constantly learning in this role by physically doing something, shadowing staff members or attending training days. I’m now equipped to help manage habitats and educate others in landscape restoration.”
