"I left College with A levels in Environmental science, Geography and English. I went to Harper Adams University to do a BSc in Rural Environmental Protection. This course is quite unusual and gave me a valuable insight into both Environmental and Agricultural issues.  It was a sandwich course which meant that I had a year away from the Uni. I
did three placements; working for English Nature (the Government advisors on nature conservation) on peat bog restoration, then with Shropshire County Council on rights of way and finally with a company in Nottingham undertaking crop trials and testing pesticides.

After graduating from Harper Adams, I went to America for 9 months working as a Park Ranger for the National Park Service. This involved practical conservation work and fire fighting. When I got back to the UK I worked for a tree surgery firm for 6 months before I got a job as a supervisor for a firm of contractors cleaning farms during the Foot and Mouth crisis. After this I was lucky enough to get a 9 month training placement on the Skylark project working as part of the Estate Team at the Devon Wildlife Trust."

While on the Skylark project Pete got his NVQ Level 2 Environmental Conservation Certificate, along with First Aid, Health and Safety, Use of Pesticides, Chainsaw and Brushcutter Certificates. He then saw his current job advertised and decided to apply. As Pete says

"The rest is history really - It was great getting this job which is just what I want to do. I am now supervising Skylark trainees which from the point of view of having done the training, means I can help them with theirs. I also have to look after all the Estate Team equipment, supervise volunteers during practical tasks and make sure the practical work gets done."

Pete thinks there are a number of qualities you need for a job like his.

"You need a strong interest in Natural History' ...but you also need to be a good supervisor, easy going with a sense of humour, be willing to get on with people and be able to plan the work. You need to be able to turn your hand to anything, it's not just about chainsawing, off road driving or laying hedges. Being willing to learn new things is essential."

Pete's advice if you want to get a job like his in nature conservation -

"You get out what you put in - you must be committed. Be ready and willing to work in all weathers and learn a much as you can about as much as you can. Good luck!"

Christine Shinner, 24, is an Assistant Warden for Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve (NNR), which is run by Teignbridge District Council in Devon. Christine's responsibilities include managing the important dune and bird habitat, protecting the NNR through enforcement of byelaws and providing education and interpretation to the 840,000 people that visit the Warren each year.

After leaving school with A levels in Geography, French and Business Studies Christine explains she

"… completed a BA degree in Leisure and Tourism with Geography at the University College of St Mark and St John, Plymouth. I completed a three-year course. During this course we dealt with environmental issues and I began to want to work within the conservation industry although at the time I wasn't sure in which field of expertise. After which I worked for a while on a farm and then as an Assistant Manager
of a Café.

After this I got the post of a Countryside Trainee at Teignbridge District Council's Countryside Ranger Service as a 9 month training placement on the Skylark project."

While on the Skylark project Christine obtained her First Aid at Work and Chainsaw certificate as well as completing a number of other courses on Biodiversity, IT (computers) and NVQ units. This post then led to being recommended for her current post which she has be doing since a successful Skylark placement. Christine says

"The Skylark work placement was the best thing I have ever done.  It gave me experience and a network of contacts as well as a training allowance. It provided grounding for me and helped me to decide which area of Conservation I wanted to be involved in''.

Meeting other similar minded people has also been an important part of the placement. As Christine explains

"The Skylark scheme was a lot of fun and I am still in contact with many of the other trainees involved in the skylark programme. This has been especially helpful for sharing ideas and working practices that we all learnt on our placements".

Christine's advice on working within nature conservation

"Make the most of any training opportunities that come up. Volunteering is a good idea and helps give you the skills as well as contacts, but if you can find a Skylark type scheme then you can get an allowance (money) and the training at the same time!. Most importantly don't give up! I love the variety that working in conservation gives you - and it can be very rewarding! "