New training scheme to help combat skills shortage

A new training programme 'Wildlife Skills' has been awarded £829,200 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), allowing four Wildlife Trusts in the South West to train 46 aspiring conservationists over the next three years. The scheme is designed to address the skills shortages within the South West conservation sector, and has already appointed 16 trainees based at Devon Wildlife Trust, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Dorset Wildlife Trust. Each will focus on one of three areas; practical conservation, survey & monitoring or volunteer and community engagement. As well as gaining formal qualifications, the trainees will receive complimentary training in transferable skills to enhance their future employability and consolidate their learning by working with Wildlife Trust staff. 'Wildlife Skills' Coordinator, Dr Rachel Janes, said: "This new scheme will give those interested in wildlife a real insight into working in conservation, from learning about communications in the media, to gaining their chainsaw qualifications. After they have completed their year-long placement, trainees will have the skills and confidence to take their careers forward in the work place. The wildlife trusts involved are delighted to be part of this programme, and are grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund, which has helped make it happen." Luke Workman, Wildlife Skills volunteer & engagement trainee based at Devon Wildlife Trust said : "A special moment for me was introducing a rockpool crab to a child for the first time, it was great to see the fear of holding the creature be replaced with a fascination and excitement for wildlife. I realised that some of the animals I take for granted, other people have never encountered before. What a privilege it is to be the first person to help this little girl meet a crab for the first time!" Beth Aucott, Wildlife Skills practical conservation trainee based at Somerset Wildlife Trust said: "The most exciting thing for me so far, apart from seeing my first wild otter, has been working with the people who are so passionate about looking after wildlife. I have already learnt so much; I've improved my identification skills, honed and learnt new practical skills, such as brushcutting, and learnt about grants, working with graziers and management plans." 

The scheme aims to diversify the future of conservation by providing opportunities for those from disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly young people and those in transitional phases of their lives and careers. New placements will be available in summer 2015. For more information about the training scheme please visit www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife_skills

Short Film Release - Boat Stories: Life's Journey on the Torridge

Life's Journey on the Torridge is a magical film which takes a trip up the river on the Cheeky Monkey with skipper Dave Gabe. This is the latest short film from producer Jo Stewart-Smith in the Boat Stories series. Jo, who lives near Chulmleigh in north Devon, talks about her inspiration for this film "Dave Gabe, the star and narrator of this film is also my local fishmonger. Several years ago I took my family on a trip up the River Torridge with Dave and he knew the story of every working boat and wreck we passed. As I got to know him I realised his knowledge comes from a fascinating life spent working on many different kinds of boats." Learning about Dave's life on the water from age 15 when he went straight from school into the rough world of tug boats inspired Jo to write the series of films about the working boats of north Devon: Boat Stories - Every Boat Tells a Story. As he putters along the river in the Cheeky Monkey (named after his daughter) Dave comments on the boats, bridges and wildlife and says "I never get fed up of coming up the river. There's always something different, always something new." One of the aims of North Devon Moving Image (NDMI), executive producers of the Boat Stories series, is to give work and work experience to established and up and coming creatives in north Devon. For Life's Journey on the Torridge Jo Stewart-Smith worked with Bideford based film makers Artaura Productions. Matt Biggs was the cinematographer on the film "Matt is a real craftsman and, living not far from the river, brought his own perspective and ideas to the film." says Jo. "We also really enjoyed working with young professional musician Anisa Arslanagic who grew up in Torrington. She composed and performed the music for the film on piano and violin working with music producer Tom Watkins at Yard 1 studios in Bideford.” Amanda McCormack, Creative Director of NDMI is delighted with the film "I love the tranquility of this film. Matt has captured the early morning atmosphere beautifully - the images are so vivid you can almost smell the river." Amanda added "I think that Anisa Arslanagic's etherial music is the icing on the cake with this one - it's just perfect!" Dave Gabe concludes the film by saying "I've had a lot of jobs connected to the sea in my life; big trawlers and coasters, tugs, lifeboats but I think best of all is this little boat Cheeky Monkey I've had more pleasure on this vessel than any other one."

North Devon's Biosphere Reserve commented "A wonderful film that captures the magic and the atmosphere of the river and deep love and knowledge that Dave Gabe has for it." 

Louise Howell watched the film on Youtube and commented "What a great short film, shows this part of the Torridge at it's best, the music is lovely too! Well done, love it!" 

Life's Journey on the Torridge, Anisa Arslanagic & Tom Watkins, Matt Biggs & Dave Gabe. Photos copyright NDMI (All rights reserved)
You can watch the film online at www.boatstories.co.uk.

New training scheme to help combat skills shortage

A new training programme 'Wildlife Skills' has been awarded £829,200 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), allowing four Wildlife Trusts in the South West to train 46 aspiring conservationists over the next three years. The scheme is designed to address the skills shortages within the South West conservation sector, and has already appointed 16 trainees based at Devon Wildlife Trust, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Dorset Wildlife Trust. Each will focus on one of three areas; practical conservation, survey & monitoring or volunteer and community engagement. As well as gaining formal qualifications, the trainees will receive complimentary training in transferable skills to enhance their future employability and consolidate their learning by working with Wildlife Trust staff. 'Wildlife Skills' Coordinator, Dr Rachel Janes, said: "This new scheme will give those interested in wildlife a real insight into working in conservation, from learning about communications in the media, to gaining their chainsaw qualifications. After they have completed their year-long placement, trainees will have the skills and confidence to take their careers forward in the work place. The wildlife trusts involved are delighted to be part of this programme, and are grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund, which has helped make it happen." Luke Workman, Wildlife Skills volunteer & engagement trainee based at Devon Wildlife Trust said : "A special moment for me was introducing a rockpool crab to a child for the first time, it was great to see the fear of holding the creature be replaced with a fascination and excitement for wildlife. I realised that some of the animals I take for granted, other people have never encountered before. What a privilege it is to be the first person to help this little girl meet a crab for the first time!" Beth Aucott, Wildlife Skills practical conservation trainee based at Somerset Wildlife Trust said: "The most exciting thing for me so far, apart from seeing my first wild otter, has been working with the people who are so passionate about looking after wildlife. I have already learnt so much; I've improved my identification skills, honed and learnt new practical skills, such as brushcutting, and learnt about grants, working with graziers and management plans." 

The scheme aims to diversify the future of conservation by providing opportunities for those from disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly young people and those in transitional phases of their lives and careers. New placements will be available in summer 2015. For more information about the training scheme please visit www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife_skills