On a wet, misty day, during a classic Scottish summer, ProjectScotland visited the Trust at one of our nature reserves, Red Moss of Netherley. Just outside Aberdeen, this landscape is a thriving habitat of common toads, heather, raised peat bogs and two enthusiastic ProjectScotland volunteers.

 

Duncan Budge, Reserves Project Officer, has been part of the team working in this area for over 20 years. He started with the Trust as a volunteer before continuing on to a long and successful career within the organisation. His personal experience has clearly given him an amazing ethos when it comes to working with volunteers. He’s been described as “the best chief” a volunteer could ask for and often goes out of his way to plan unique and memorable experiences, such as, planning trips to see Scotland’s glorious landscapes.

Duncan’s passion and commitment is second to none, and it’s clear that volunteering plays a key part in the work that he does with the Trust.

“We rely on volunteers to help us – the more people means we can rescue more habitats. We’ve built dams at Red Moss to slow drainage and create flooding, which will rejuvenate the peat bogs. It’s the kind of work that we won’t see the benefit of for years to come, but that makes it no less important. We need to act now.”

“We rely on volunteers to help us – the more people means we can rescue more habitats. We’ve built dams at Red Moss to slow drainage and create flooding, which will rejuvenate the peat bogs. It’s the kind of work that we won’t see the benefit of for years to come, but that makes it no less important. We need to act now.”

Stefan Van Damme, told us about the range of work he’d been involved in as part of the reserve maintenance team. “We’ve built dams, put up fencing, cleared pathways, tackled invasive species, planted trees… loads!”

When asked what this experience meant for him he told us “it’ll make me a stronger candidate for jobs, I want to work in conservation and Duncan has been a great person to work with – he’s shown us a bit of everything.”

Klemen Kaminik, another volunteer, pointed out the practical side conservation volunteering. “You need to like being outside and getting your hands dirty. It’s great being involved in something that’ll make a difference. I have a degree in forestry so this experience has helped me put that to practical use.” 

Klemen and Stefan are just 2 of over 240 ProjectScotland volunteers the Trust has supported since our partnership started in 2006. We’re proud to work with ProjectScotland and are delighted to celebrate their 10^th birthday with them.

If you are interested about volunteering with the Trust or ProjectScotland, please click here.