Hi, my name is Edward Harriss and this is my Working for Nature journey, and boy, what a journey it’s been. Living with Mild Asperger’s has been a massive challenge. My way of interpreting situations and answering questions has never been brilliant, but with help I’ve managed to pull through, especially when it comes to college. Practical work has always been my strength, which I realised when I did my first ever work experience with Rutland water. I completed Level 2 and 3 BTEC Diplomas in Animal Studies, tried higher education and I was nearly reduced to tears as I was nowhere near where I wanted to be so I left. I wanted to apply for courses more related to ecology but considering how I had fared in college, it wasn’t looking likely that I could even apply. When scouting for conservation careers, I found Working for Nature.
“Choosing Working for Nature was quite possibly the easiest decision I’ve ever made.”
The previous year had not been kind to me, I had spent several weeks in a job I hated, I had dropped out of college, and my self esteem was at an all time low. Working for Nature has given me a much needed confidence boost. It was exactly what I was looking for in a Conservation apprenticeship that was practical, unpredictable and challenging. I was selected to work for Idle Valley Nature reserve in Retford, Nottinghamshire.
I have always had a nagging doubt in the back of my head that I’m going to struggle to understand certain tasks, but working with other people and learning from them is a massive confidence booster, especially if you can have a laugh. The practical work on the reserves is extremely varied. Fence repair, scrub clearance and path maintenance I was all very familiar with. Moving livestock, brushcutting, first aid, coppicing and hedge surveying, those were completely alien to me. These and many other skills have been the ones I have loved learning most on this traineeship. Meeting the volunteer groups and getting to work a placement in Sherwood Forest has certainly been an experience, working in two different places really broadens your horizons.
“This traineeship has already opened a new gateway into my life.”
When I started here I thought the next segway into the industry would be an easy one, but in fact it’s opened my eyes to a whole load of possibilities. Instead of one idea of what I want to do in this industry I have several – Ranger, Public Speaker, Wildlife Photographer, maybe even making documentaries; but I don’t view this as a bad thing at all. You can never aim too high or too low, as long as you are happy doing what you are doing and that view can carry you a long way.
My goals before starting this traineeship were to gain knowledge, confidence and experience; and I have definitely achieved that. My confidence is still slowly building but in order to build on it more I really want to start communicating with other people, become a voice for wildlife. I want to be the one who tells people how important nature is to the world and engages them in it, making it exciting for them. If I can find a job where I can give public talks on wildlife as well as do my bit for conservation in the practical sector, then that would be my ideal job, and Working for Nature is definitely a good step in the right direction.
