Steven Reilly’s account of his work experience week with the TVW team.
From the 27th of June to the 1st of July I experienced working for the ‘Tame Valley Wetlands Landscape Partnership Scheme’.
On the first day I saw the different work that the team did in order to make a difference to the local wildlife such as their ‘Community Wetlands’ project where they are helping the local wildlife by transforming the floodplain meadow into an area that is a suitable place for the different species of animals to live. One example would be the man made sand martin bank they built. They are also building the area to be aesthetically pleasing for the public and allowing them to experience the local wildlife for themselves. However in visiting the sites I also experienced the different problems that the project experiences such as vandalism and weather that can ruin their structures and buildings.
On the second day I went to Ladywalk nature reserve with a group of volunteers and helped to get rid of a plant called Himalayan balsam. I enjoyed working outdoors as it was good to see the difference we had made to the local area. I also helped with getting a list of places such as 6th forms, colleges and youth centres that are in the local area that the project could contact in order for them to help educate the public on the importance of wildlife.
The third day consisted of me helping to plan a circular route around Shustoke that the project could then advertise to the public and allow them to have a route that they could walk round their local area. I also helped to organise the inventory of items that the project supplies to schools such as wellies and coats.
On Thursday I helped with one of the schools that came in to experience the project for themselves. We took the class round the site educating them on the different types of wildlife and nature that was in the area, such as showing them the different types of trees and plants that were in the forest and helping them search areas for wildlife such as insects.
I would like to thank the Tame Valley Wetlands Landscape Partnership Scheme for the experience they gave me in the week I was there, it was impressive to see the work they are doing in order to make the local wildlife better.
If you’d like to be involved with the Tame Valley Wetlands (LPS) then we have many volunteering opportunities available! Whether you’re young or old, we have vacancies for everyone. Join our TameYouth or TameForce team today! Click here for more information.