PROTECT VITAL ECOSYSTEMS
The Scottish Wildlife Trust undertakes policy and campaigning work to protect Scotland's wildlife for the future, as well as managing a network of around 120 wildlife reserves across Scotland.
The organisation offers a range of volunteering opportunities, from cleaning beaches to saving squirrels. Helen Lancaster worked with the Trust as a volunteer assistant ranger. “I experienced and worked on all five of the Trust's wildlife reserves in Perthshire. Each one of these reserves has unique features and working on them has given me an insight into how different habitats such as meadows and woodlands need to be managed.
“Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve is one of the Trust's flagship reserves, with iconic wildlife including beavers, red squirrels and ospreys. Helping to look after the reserve was a great responsibility to get to take on. The best thing about volunteering, though, was sharing time with like-minded people. There was a huge amount of support and encouragement from everyone I met during my time as a volunteer.” scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk