2010 post now filled. Keep an eye on the volunteer page and follow Sarah, the 2010 volunteer, on her blog: http://sarah-facey.blogspot.com.
Stock and farm assistant April to October 2011
The stock we use are Dexter cattle, Hebridean and Jacob sheep. The aim is to utilise poor grazing to produce a high quality meat product sustainably. It is important to realise that some of the animals you work with will be sold for meat.
Tasks you will be required to assist with are; lambing, calving, fencing, scrub clearance, forestry, firewood production, simple survey work (plant and entomology), hay-making, electric fencing (lots). These core tasks have to be done, but the applicant can tailor make their work to suit whatever discipline they wish. For instance, we manage a Skylark nesting site; currently we have no time to monitor breeding pairs, so the applicant could take this on. The possibilities are practically endless as long as they do not detract from the main tasks.
There will be little contact with the public, unless this is a skill the applicant wishes to develop.
Accommodation is self-contained in a good quality caravan, with shower etc. This may change to a log cabin when it becomes vacant. Breakfast will be provided on a self-service basis, lunch and dinner with the host.
The applicant needs no specific experience or qualifications, but they will need to be able to demonstrate commitment and enthusiasm. They will not be required to operate any machinery. The post is for seven months from April 1 to 31st October (this could be extended, but the winter is harsh on these hills). At the end of this period the applicant will have a good basic knowledge of conservation grazing and will have had the opportunity to expand whatever skills they have to pursue for their career. It is imperitive that the applicant can start in early April for the commencement of lambing and stay for at least 5 months.
The work can be back breaking and sometimes heart breaking. The accommodation is simple, but if the conservation sector is where you want to be this experience and training will put your CV to the top of any employers' pile. Please send CV or further enquiries to woodcut.robin@tesco.net.
Non-Residential 2010:
Management planning
Gravelly Grazing has been asked to produce a management plan for an five acre ancient orchard/chalk meadow. It is a local wildlife site and should probably have been given SSSI status. A volunteer with the necessary training is required to take on the whole project up to implementation. There is no funding in place; it will be up to the applicant to source this. Most of the work can be done remotely.
The tasks are likely to involve; sourcing of funding, forming a local group, consultation, organising other volunteers to carry out surveys and writing the plan.
It would be a good opportunity for someone to put their training into practice. If the funding source covers their costs then all the better.
Other projects
If you are studying or wish to put theory into practice then we always welcome people who wish to undertake any conservation activity, but accomodation is always an issue. If you can bring your own and fend for yourself come and fill your boots!
Surveying: we are constantly trying to record as much data on our sites as possible. Moths, plants, fungi, fungus gnats, bats and beetles; you name it we need records.
Dung monitoring: Robin's favourite subject! Dung is incredibly important for a wealth of wildlife and is often overlooked. We are keen to document the many species that rely on dung, from beetles to bats.
Organic veg growing: in polytunnels and raised beds. We have loads of space but very little time.
Please contact by the email above if you have any other projects you would like to carry out.
Become a grower We always need stubble turnips, mangel wurzels, apples and potatoes for animal feed. If you want to supply us with organically produced (no cert needed) fodder please get in touch.
