I was introduced to Conservation Volunteering at Clumber Park for my Silver DofE volunteering. Outside in all weathers on Sundays throughout the year, rhododendron clearing (with a fire in winter keeping us warm), coppicing, paths building, and then duckboards when subsidence flooded some of the paths. I enjoyed it so much that I continued for my Gold Volunteering and since then wherever I have lived in the UK I have joined the local group of conservation volunteers.

I am now a DofE supervisor and Assessor with our local Explorer Scout Group where I have introduced many of the Explorers to conservation work for our local nature reserve (Cromwell Bottom, Brighouse) and we regularly get around 10 young people attending. One task was coppicing in one of the wetlands and creating a barrier around a bird feeding area with the material.

From the many skills I have picked up, including hedge laying and drystone walling, I now have the pleasure of passing them on to others.