Saving Planet Earth

What's your job title?

"I'm a South Lancashire Reserves Officer for the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside."

Where are you based?

"I'm based at The Barn near Bamber Bridge."

What does your job involve?

"Managing Nature Reserves in South Lancashire (Preston to Wigan - Southport to Bolton)"

Can you describe a typical day?

"There isn't one! Today I will arrived at The Barn at 8.30 to do some paperwork until 10.00 when a student from the University of Central Lancashire will be coming into the office. Together we will travel out to Dean Wood Nature Reserve where the student will be studying the effects of Rhododendron on soil chemistry. We will then travel to Pleasington Old Hall Nature Reserve to carry out the same process.

Whilst at both sites I will be looking to see if anything needs doing and making a list of these and making a list of the wildlife present to increase our records.

Later this afternoon I will be meeting three generations of the same family who are interested in volunteering to do some work on the wildlife garden at Pleasington (the old kitchen garden for the old hall). I will then quickly return to The Barn to try and get some more paperwork done."

Is there a part of your job that you find difficult?

"Engaging the public to help out with there local nature reserve."

What's the most satisfying part of your job?

"Seeing an increase in biodiversity through the management of a site."

In one sentence, why is conservation important?

"In my view conservation is all about protecting species and landscape for future generations to enjoy."

If you could have conservation-related wish, what would it be?

"That everyone has a green space full of wildlife that they can easily access in their local area."

Any funny stories?

"Whilst walking with my wife in our local country park I was telling her of the time when I used to work there. I told her that during the summer I would see a kingfisher almost every day but that you would probably have to be there all day to see it. At the end of this comment I look to my left and there was a kingfisher about 12 feet away!"

How can people get involved?

"Visit the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside website http://www.lancswt.org.uk/ to find out about joining the Trust in its work."