As Adam joined us here in the Great Fen, our Living Landscape (the oldest and one of the largest in the Wildlife Trusts), is entering a new and exciting phase. Thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund's new grant award, we are restoring farmed arable land to wetland, securing the missing link between two Fenland National Nature Reserves (Holme Fen and Woodwalton Fen). We are also demonstrating new wetter farming practices which we hope will inspire change across farmed peat soils nationally. We needed a Wet Farming Delivery Officer who would be instrumental in carrying out the practical management and monitoring of our wet farming/paludiculture plots.

Adam was the gentleman up to the task! His new colleague Danielle Page learned a little more about how he ended up here knee-deep in peat...

Danielle ~ Hi Adam! Welcome to the team. So, where did it all start for you? What made you want to work in conservation?

Adam ~ My mum always had a passion for wildlife and nature which she passed on to me, so it’s something I have always wanted to do. I was lucky enough to take early retirement from my previous job and to now pursue a career in conservation. 

D~ We're delighted to have you! Where did you work before the Great Fen?

A~ Before I got the job at the Great Fen I worked in London for 24 years for a plant hire company. For the past 12 years I have also been the volunteer warden/manager of the local nature reserve in Somersham, where I live.

D ~ I've been on some brilliant fungi and bat walks with you there and learned a lot! What attracted you to the role here?

A ~ I really wanted to be part of a wonderful project like the Great Fen restoration. I'd read so much about it already and had been learning more about the importance of protecting our peatlands. I know it will improve the environment for wildlife and people for generations to come.

D ~ So, you're only 4 months in. Is it too soon to ask if you already have a favourite part of the job? Or what are you're most looking forward to getting involved with? 

A ~ I've already enjoyed getting hands on with equipment, whether it be for monitoring, research, or reserve management. For example, I've learned to use petrol water pumps to manage the water levels in the test beds, along with a flow metre to record the amount of water abstracted. With help from UKCEH I have fitted a peat camera, which records fluctuations in the height of the peat over the seasons. I have also assisted Henry Stanier to install floats along the ditches on Speechly’s Farm to record water vole activity and carried out some water vole surveys.   

Looking ahead, we're preparing for the Royal Norfolk Show and Groundswell Festival. I think both of these will be a fantastic opportunity for me to meet more conservation and agricultural experts, to learn from them and share our progress. I'm looking forward to getting Peatland Progress, our paludiculture trials and the concept of wetter farming in front of many more people. 

D ~ It's always exciting to see a water vole! Is there any other particular wildlife that you most enjoy seeing in the Fen? 

A ~ I have always been a big fan of Raptors, so seeing the varied species we have here on the Great Fen, especially the short-eared owls, is always a joy.

D ~ Let's finish with something people would be surprised to know about you.

A ~ OK. I have a 2nd Dan Black Belt in a full-contact style of Karate called Shidokan, which I taught in London for many years!

Summary! Don't mess with Adam. He'll pin you down and tell you all about the wonders of sphagnum moss and short-eared owls!