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RAUK - Archived Forum - Natural England - anybody a volunteer?

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Natural England - anybody a volunteer?:

Author	Message
JamesM Member Joined: 12 Mar 2011 No. of posts: 43 View other posts by JamesM	Posted: 12 Mar 2011 Hi all, I am new to the site, some of you may know me, some of you may not, but I'd thought I'd join up as I recently took up field herping, as well as being a "captive" herper. Anyway, in February of this year, I sent off an application form to Natural England for voluntry work in the Southern area of the country (Hampshire) to conduct voluntry surveys for British herpetofauna to gain the vital field herping experience I will need for an academic, or an ecological career with reptiles and amphibians. The problem is, I haven't heard back from them at all - I think I'll call them Monday morning to see what's happening, however it's extremely fustrating now as I desperately need this experience. Has anybody else ever volunteered with NE, or even conducted surveys for them in the past? Cheers, James.

AGILIS Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 No. of posts: 694 View other posts by AGILIS	Posted: 12 Mar 2011 THIS is typical of nat England admin I reported a red squirrel sighting to them some years ago a never even got a reply keith LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID

JamesM Member Joined: 12 Mar 2011 No. of posts: 43 View other posts by JamesM	Posted: 12 Mar 2011 I'm one of the guys who wants to make a difference in herpetology, I'm not the typical "youth" (I'm 17) that is only doing it for something to do, as I'm sure a few are IME of being around other teenagers. I really do hope they get back to me, it would be a great shame for me to miss such an opportunity. JamesM40614.2838888889

Paul Hudson Member Joined: 24 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 33 View other posts by Paul Hudson	Posted: 12 Mar 2011 Hi James, Why don't you make contact with Amphibian and Reptile conservation trust ,based in Bournemouth, or you could do herp surveys for your local ARG , N.E have had massive changes within their own organisation ,job cuts etc, this is perhaps why you havn't heard back from them. Paul Hudson Paul Hudson

GemmaJF Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 No. of posts: 2090 View other posts by GemmaJF	Posted: 12 Mar 2011 Jon (Herpetologic) is based in Hampshire now, he might be able to help you out with what is happening in the county. If you want a career in ecology, move towards working with a consultant after the voluntary stuff, you'll see more, do more, learn more. It's a bit industrial for some, but the amount of animals I see these days is far higher than when I worked in a voluntary role. Good luck with it, you are on the right track already, field experience is everything and you'll find the right people here to help you out. Gemma Fairchild, Independent Ecological Consultant

JamesM Member Joined: 12 Mar 2011 No. of posts: 43 View other posts by JamesM	Posted: 12 Mar 2011 Thanks folks! I've already asked a consultant if he would be interested in taking me under his wing, however nothing is available at the moment, so we'll have to see what happens Cheers! JamesM40614.7853587963

Robert V Senior Member Joined: 06 Aug 2004 No. of posts: 717 View other posts by Robert V	Posted: 15 Mar 2011 Not sure Natural England really exists... Its probably a money laundering scam for a ring of cocaine smugglers. Somewhere out there is a post box crammed with unopened envelopes and in one will be vital info on an outbreak of cow pox in Natrix and no one there will give a toss RobV

AGILIS Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 No. of posts: 694 View other posts by AGILIS	Posted: 17 Mar 2011 Hi Rob yeah about sums it up seems to be run in by the same lot as the time team ,made up of people in pretty pullies & wooly hats pulled up over their eyes and ears AGILIS40619.7607175926 LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID

JamesM Member Joined: 12 Mar 2011 No. of posts: 43 View other posts by JamesM	Posted: 17 Mar 2011 Hi all, I called them yesterday, to only be told that my application has been lost somewhere in Hampshire, and has not been recieved (strange). They said they'd chase it up for me and give me a call back. I'm giving them two weeks to do this, if no phone call then I will be asking to speak to people higher up, and a possible phone call with Mr. Foster (head of herpetology) to see what has really happened with my application.

AGILIS Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 No. of posts: 694 View other posts by AGILIS	Posted: 17 Mar 2011 James M There is a possibility that they were out on a important mission counting the peasants "whoops"I mean pheasants on a local MPs private estate and have not received it as being busy? LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID

JamesM Member Joined: 12 Mar 2011 No. of posts: 43 View other posts by JamesM	Posted: 17 Mar 2011 LOL. Possibly.

- Natural England - anybody a volunteer?

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