In this blog, our three new Community and Education interns have completed their first couple of weeks on the Peatland Progress project, having an intensive tutorial on the policies and procedures of the Trust, the landscape we care for, the wildlife that relies on it and the communities that enjoy it. Let's see what some of their highlights were...

First Introductions

Kaitlyn

My first highlight actually came just before the internship even began, as we were invited to meet each other at an Ecology workshop with Brain Eversham. Even with a Zoology degree, I still learned lots of new information, such as that aphids are born pregnant! We even got out and about in the rain, trying some survey methods such as sweep netting, pond dipping, and using quadrats. I’ve only ever read about sweep netting while stuck in the library at university, so I was ecstatic to finally try it out (although I was a bit scared about spiders falling on my head while tapping the trees!). I discovered an ant damsel bug (Himacerus mirmicoides) that often lives with ants so has evolved to mimic them, and it was the first time that I've seen a swollen-thighed beetle, which I now see everywhere! 

Walks and Talks

In auspicious timing for a peatland-related internship, the new recruits joined us on World Peatlands Day! One of their very first activities was to support a guided walk at the historic Woodwalton Fen National Nature Reserve with expert guide, Catherine Weightman, Natural England's Senior Project Manager for Peatland Restoration in the Fens. 

Lucy

My internship began with an inspiring deep dive into fenland conservation and a fascinating talk about the Great Fen and the large-scale effort to bring life back to the fen landscape. It was the perfect crash course in the world I was about to step into!  

Later that day, on the guided walk, as we wandered through the wetlands, we spotted wildlife flitting through reeds and dragonflies hovering over the water. The landscape felt alive with sound and movement. It was a powerful reminder of the fragile ecosystems we’re working to protect, and how valuable conversations with visitors can be in sharing that message. 

Kaitlyn

Supporting the talk and walk on World Peatland’s Day was a great chance to learn more about the history of the fens, the wildlife associated with it, and the importance of peat soil. For example, during the walk through Woodwalton Fen, I got to learn all about the interesting triangular stems of sedges "sedges have edges", the frothy cuckoo spit that protects the froghopper larvae, and the historic water pumps. I even spotted this little moth trying to hide in the grass! Towards the end of the walk, we stood at the back of Woodwalton Fen, looking out over the rest of the Great Fen and the new land purchased as part of Peatland Progress. Wow, what a view! I would highly recommend anyone to go there if they haven’t already.

Forest School

At the Great Fen, the Communities and Education team are all qualified Level 3 Forest School Leaders, running groups across a very broad age and ability spectrum.

Natalie

Getting involved with a Forest School session was an exciting and new experience for me. I helped some of the students create reed boats to float on the water, testing how different structures float or sink and which materials are best to use. Seeing the students' progress with their ideas, with so much creativity, was a particularly rewarding experience.  

Kaitlyn

In these first weeks, I supported two different forest schools. At the end of the first session, my arms were covered in mud from helping build a wattle and daub wall. The next day my arms were covered in paint after getting chased by children wielding paint brushes as weapons. Something about my arms just screams “make a mess”. I ended up looking like a cool, new red and black insect! On other days, it was a more relaxing experience with teddy bear picnics, mud kitchen ice creams, and sawing logs.

Research and Design

Not all their time was spent outdoors, but also in valuable research and creative work for upcoming outreach events. 

Lucy

Back at the Ramsey Heights centre, I got stuck into the groundwork; diving into induction training and handbooks (not the most thrilling part, but essential nonetheless), and learning the ropes of the Trust’s computer systems. I also had the chance to work with Kaitlyn on some creative tasks for the upcoming Young People’s Forum event, from photo curation to design ideas. They were to be at the Trust's head office in Cambourne for the Open Gardens, and encouraging attendees to pledge a #WilderGardens! It was great to use my creativity while contributing to something that empowers young voices in conservation. 

Natalie

Alongside the induction training, I worked on collating information for a ‘Peat Tower’ for the Royal Norfolk Show with the other interns. This involved researching the importance of peat soils, the formation of bog oak, and techniques used to monitor water levels, such as rust rods and dip wells. I found the investigation work very interesting and enjoyed working with Kaitlyn and Lucy towards a common goal. My first week has been particularly insightful, learning about the work being carried out by the Wildlife Trust and gaining experience working with new people. 

Wildlife Surveys

In week two, the interns changed focus towards our monitoring and conservation activities.

Lucy

One of the highlights of my internship so far came when Natalie and I joined the Great Fen's Monitoring and Research Officer, Henry Stanier, for two field surveys: grassland and water voles. During the first survey, I was blown away by just how many species of grass we encountered. I learned to spot Cocksfoot, Yorkshire Fog, and False Oat Grass, among others, and gained a new respect for the sheer complexity of these ecosystems (I also learned I have hay fever, which was a less fun surprise.) 

Natalie

This week being so varied, has given me the opportunity to learn lots of new skills. Whilst my botany experience is limited, I was eager to learn and happy to be outside enjoying the sunshine. Working with the other volunteers enabled me to learn from their experience and made the task less daunting as we would be working in teams. I was responsible for finding the quadrat location with the GPS device, which I was thankfully able to do with only a few wrong turns. As we progressed through the morning identifying species such as Yarrow and Yellow Rattle, I grew in confidence and it became gradually easier. However, there are definitely many more species I need to learn!  

I also had the chance to meet some of the conservation volunteers and explore more of the Wildlife Trust's sites in the Great Fen area. Moving on from botany, I was introduced to monitoring conducted to improve biodiversity and support restoration projects. Seeing the camera traps in the field and then the videos they have captured was a really fun experience and I enjoyed seeing a technique I have studied at university in practice. Lucy and I assisted with the water vole surveys, which involved surveying rafts for droppings and feeding remnants, whilst logging the exact location to aid future visits.  

Lucy

It was so exciting to see camera trap footage of otters on one of the rafts, a lovely and unexpected glimpse into their world. And the water vole surveying felt like ecological detective work. I loved being part of such practical hands-on conservation.

School Visits

Summer is always a busy time at the Ramsey Heights nature reserve, with school groups booked most weeks to become Wildlife Explorers for the day!

Kaitlyn

During these visits, I was able to assist with numerous activities such as nature walks, pond dipping, den building and sweep netting. I even got the chance to lead pond dipping and the Yes/No game (the school guesses which animals live here). With the sun shining, there has been lots of wildlife for the children (and adults) to see with great crested newts chilling in the pond, dragonflies zipping around, baby moorhens darting across the ponds, and red kites soaring in the skies. There is even a mute swan family around the reserve who came over to say hello to one of the schools!

Natalie

Supporting the school visits involves rotating between four different activities. My group started with pond dipping. Whilst this activity was new to many of the students, they embraced the challenge and caught an impressive range of creatures, including water boatman and diving beetles! Then we created nature bunting, a nice memento to take home, and explored the caterpillar lifecycle with an engaging game, which the students particularly enjoyed. After lunch we began the nature walk, which started at the bird hide where we spotted a Little Grebe diving with her babies, which the students were delighted to see. On our walk we also spottled a Chinese water deer. Whilst it was a very hot and busy day, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience!  

A Wildlife Highlight! 

Kaitlyn

While setting up for one of the Little Bugs pre-school sessions, I was heading towards the public carpark, walking along and humming to myself in the sunshine. Suddenly, out of the trees, a buzzard soared right in front of me, crossing my path and disappearing down to the pond. It was only 2-3 metres away from me, flying as low as my chest, and I could see every feather. I’ve never realised how massive they were! It was AMAZING.

So much experienced in just two weeks!

Lucy

These two weeks have been such a varied introduction into life at Ramsey Heights. From creative projects and training to unforgettable moments in the field. I’m learning that conservation isn't just about protecting nature, it's about connecting people to it, too. I can't wait to see where the next few weeks take us!