I joined Derbyshire Wildlife Trust in 2024 as a Nature Economy trainee after deciding to make a big career change. Before that I had spent years working as a chef in hotels and restaurants, but I knew I wanted to do something that would connect me more closely to nature and make a difference. Studying part-time for a degree in Environmental Science gave me the first step, and it was through those studies, and volunteering opportunities at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, that I became interested in how we can link the economy and the natural world to restore wildlife.

The Nature Economy traineeship, funded through Species Survival Fund, gave me the perfect chance to explore this passion for nature in practice. I was based in Derbyshire Wildlife Trust's Wild Peak programme, which is all about restoring wildlife, returning missing species and supporting communities to act for nature across the Peak District. I worked within the Nature Economy team to help explore how the economy could be nature-positive, be more equitable for local communities and support restoring wildlife to the Peak District. 

Day-to-day, this meant learning new skills, like using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map ecosystem services, developing financial models and presenting complex data in an accessible way, as well as more transferable skills such as giving presentations and managing my work within long-term nature recovery projects.

I was encouraged and supported throughout, both through direct mentorship for my role and the chance to go out and work with other teams at the trust to get broad experience in all aspects of nature recovery. A real highlight was attending the 2024 Finance Nature Conference, where I was inspired to learn about the work going on internationally around the nature economy. These opportunities not only gave me technical knowledge but also helped me develop transferable skills such as teamwork, communication and confidence in sharing ideas.

Towards the end of my traineeship, I had the unique opportunity to secure a role as a Nature Economy Officer with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. This felt like a huge step for me but I felt ready to take on more responsibility, continue to develop my skills and knowledge and make a contribution to this important area of work within the trust. 

I’m excited for what comes next, continuing to support Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s mission, helping to show how nature and people can thrive together, and being part of the movement that’s shaping a more sustainable future.

If you are interested in working with us, keep an eye on our jobs page for trainee opportunities as they arise here .

If you're interested learning 'Green Skills' check out our training courses here.