Are you inspired to make a difference for nature but feel you lack practical experience and understanding? Do you want to get to know UK wildlife intimately whilst gaining valuable fieldwork experience to kick-start your career? Do you have an open mind, enjoy a challenge, are adaptable, and can apply your skills and motivation to many varied tasks?
Apply to our 9-month fully-funded nature conservation training placement at Lower Sharpham Farm, on the stunning Sharpham Estate in South Devon. Through this placement, you will gain the knowledge and practical experience required for a career in the nature conservation sector, participating in training courses, workshops, and wildlife survey work.
We are delighted to be able to offer this fully funded placement, inclusive of accommodation, food, and all training. under the Sharpham Trust’s Wild For People Project. This project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Lower Sharpham Farm, Ashprington, Totnes. TQ9 7DX.
20th March 2023 – 22nd December 2023
Ambios are a team of professional scientists, land managers and nature conservation educators with a 30 year track record. We have a range of skills that will support your placement, train you and enhance your learning experience
You will participate in nature conservation workshops and short courses during the first 6-weeks of your placement to improve and build upon your existing species identification and observation skills in preparation for wildlife survey work.
From May through to December a large proportion of your placement will involve conducting wildlife surveys to monitor the changes across our rewilding site, working alongside the Ambios Ecologist, Conservation Ranger, and other members of the Ambios team. Once confident with the various survey methods you will support Ambios trainees and citizen scientists in carrying out the surveys to the required standard.
The ecological monitoring programme includes conducting surveys for birds, butterflies, moths, bats, vegetation, small mammals, and using fixed point photography and camera traps.
You will have the opportunity to get involved with public engagement events, including the annual Sharpham BioBlitz and our Literary Festival Restoring Nature. There will also be times when you will assist with school visits and other public events.
You will assist with the running of Wild For People rewilding volunteer days including weekly practical countryside management (e.g., fencing/tree-planting) and monthly citizen science wildlife surveys.
During your placement, you will contribute to Ambios communications through regular blogs, social media output, newsletter input and reporting on survey outcomes.
The residential nature of the placement means you form a community with other likeminded people hoping to kick start their careers and increase their nature knowledge. You will take responsibility for various farm and residential tasks, and support our team of residential trainees, showing your motivation and inspiration. You will develop your confidence and competence in transferable skills including leadership, collaborative working, organisation, and effective communication.
You will be encouraged to live sustainably during your time with us, helping in our organic garden, assisting with farm tasks, and shared community life.
An important part of Ambios residential training is the community we forge together. You will be living and working alongside our 12-week nature conservation trainees, staff, and volunteers.
The residential aspect of our course is integral to the experience you’ll gain. Through their time with us, many past trainees have reported a sense of renewal, inspiration, hope and confidence. Working with Ambios is more than an education – this extended period away from day-to-day life allows clarity of mind and trainees often find a new confidence in their direction.
The farm lends itself well to providing both privacy – through individual rooms and 130 acres of countryside – and community. The first week is dedicated to activities which help foster a sense of teamwork and rotas are established early on to divide up tasks and provide opportunities to get to know people better.
You’ll be staying in our Bunkhouse, which has 12 single bedrooms, three bathrooms and enjoying use of our new dayroom which has a shared kitchen with a large, comfortable living area and woodburner. It’s part of our working farm, and sits among the trees with spectacular views to the River Dart and idyllic surrounding countryside.
Meals are prepared communally with all ingredients provided, using local, organic produce where possible, some directly from the farm. Free wifi is available within the training spaces.
You’ll be living with a motivated and enthusiastic small team of volunteers who help with the running of the farm and who also have personal experience and skills to share.
We look forward to receiving your application for this 9-month fully-funded placement. If you’re ready to apply, follow the four steps below. If you have further questions, please email farm@ambios.net.
Ambios Ltd is a UK registered not-for-profit company limited by guarantee – meaning it can only spend its income on helping people achieve their goals for nature/science/education and supporting organisations in achieving their objectives for wildlife/conservation/biodiversity.
Companies House Registration Number: 4185277
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