Who could have thought that my back garden would be the river Dart? For the last three weeks, I have been waking up with the morning dawn chorus and eating fresh salad daily from our polytunnel in the top-hill garden. The valley is changing as nature is slowly waking up from winter bringing more warmer days and greenery. This is going to be my home and work for the next 3 seasons, and I cannot wait to see how my life at Ambios unfolds across my 9-month placement.
I am the newest addition (for now) to the Ambios team and am immersing myself in nature conservation training, a diverse range of tasks on-site, and a lot of social interaction – no two days are the same! Life on the farm is very communal, and things get done quickly, which is a nice change after this past year where I have been doing a lot by myself.
Previously, I have done a lot of different things from wwoof’ing, working for an organic food wholesaler, supporting people with learning difficulties, gardening and growing, traveling, and studying. I have had an interest in the environment, ecology, and conservation for years, which was sparked by my experience of living in different countries, observing natural environments, and having conversations with people. Being born in Lithuania where nature has not been affected as strongly as in the UK, and living a big part of my adult life in Bristol – one of the most progressive and active cities I have come across – was a great catalyst in my journey. I feel I have a role to play in protecting and helping to bring some wilderness back to this land. Finally, a year in rural Cornwall looking after a property and 5 acres of land was something that made me realise that this is a lifestyle I would like to pursue and that it is important to do it with others.
Being at Ambios makes me feel that many of my skills, experiences, and interests meet in one place and that everything I have done before coming here has prepared me for the placement.
Medeine Jukneviciute – Ambios 9-month funded Nature Conservation Trainee
We are delighted to be able to offer this funded placement under the Sharpham Trust’s Wild For People Project. This project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
