Lucy at the Great Fen information hut at Ramsey Heights
My internship with the Wildlife Trust began with an inspiring deep dive into fenland conservation. Fittingly, my first day at Ramsey Heights coincided with World Peatland Day, and I kicked things off by joining 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, I joined a guided walk through Woodwalton Fen led by Catherine Weightman from Natural England. Wandering 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 these conversations with visitors can be in sharing that message.
Back at the Ramsey Heights centre, I got stuck into the groundwork, helping set up for Forest Schools, 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. It was great to use my creativity while contributing to something that empowers young voices in conservation.
Week two began with Monday morning meetings and the chance to meet more of the team working on the Great Fen. It was great to see how everyone plays a part in looking after such a huge area, it showed me how much of a team effort this kind of work is.
One of the highlights of my internship so far came when Natalie and I joined Henry for two field surveys: grassland and water voles. During the 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 shear complexity of these ecosystems (I also learned I have hayfever, which was a less fun surprise.)
Learning to use quadrats for grassland surveys
Even more exciting was getting to see camera trap footage of otters on one of the rafts, a lovely and unexpected glimpse into their world.
That afternoon, we switched focus to water vole surveying, which involved checking floating rafts in ditches and recording any tell-tale signs, like droppings, that suggest their presence. It felt like ecological detective work, and I loved being part of such practical hands-on conservation.
Between fieldwork, I also started preparing for some upcoming events with the team. I helped design flags, brushed up on my graphic design skills, and finally (finally!) completed all my induction training.
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 me!
