Matt Callaway goes into the wild for the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust

AFTER joining Wiltshire Wildlife Trust in July 2014, I was one of four trainees within the Wildlife Skills programme funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. There are 12 other trainees on the same programme, dotted across Dorset, Devon and Somerset, who we have had the pleasure of meeting up with on training days and residential trips.

My role started in the North of Wiltshire at Lower Moor Farm, a Trust reserve adjoining the Cotswold Water Park. I was due to spend the entire 12-month traineeship there but, due to a change in another trainee’s personal circumstances, he and myself swapped halfway through, and from early 2015 I started a new adventure in the south of Wiltshire at Langford Lakes. These places are stunning.

I feel privileged to have learned so many different aspects of conservation and gained many certificates. Chainsaw and brushcutter licences are the main tickets along with the experience down on the ground with volunteer groups. A new volunteer group from Wroughton working on a local reserve complex called Clouts Wood, have been fantastic. Georgie - another trainee - and I have run most of the sessions and I love heading out with them on a twice monthly basis.

The last year has undoubtedly been the best year of my life. Strong statement I know but it will definitely be hard to top: graduating from university, finding a dream job, getting engaged and getting married - all within 12 months - is pretty darn amazing. It’s of course not been without its downsides but we learn from those and grow as each day passes. Everyone in the Trust has been incredible and I have made so many friends. Although the other trainees have moved on to new pastures - Ecological Consultancy and Help For Heroes - I’m staying on with the Trust as an Estates Worker. I may just see you around one of 37 reserves across the county!