“I just love it. After a very stressful job, to come to the Scottish Wildlife Trust with lovely people; it is such a good organisation, and they believe in what they do.”

Having worked for a large charity for over 30 years, Clare felt it was time for a change of direction, so she quit her job and enrolled on the NC Countryside Management course at SRUC Elmwood. The prospect of returning to education was daunting but the reality was a class of mixed ages.

“I’ve always lived in the country; I’ve always enjoyed nature and have a general interest in the environment and conservation. It just felt like the right direction to go, and it was.”

It was the COVID years, so initially most of the learning took place online through Teams. Eventually the rules were relaxed, and field trips were allowed. Clare has very fond memories of the field trips, going out with the tutors, carrying out work in the woods or at the beach and meeting Rangers and Wardens.

“I really enjoyed speaking to other people and their enthusiasm for the work that they were doing. They are nearly all on temporary contracts, but they are working so hard to improve the environment and the habitat.”

Clare completed the NC Countryside Management course and decided to continue her studies, signing up for the HNC Wildlife and Conservation Management course at SRUC Elmwood which she successfully completed in 2022. Clare enjoyed it so much; she transferred to the SRUC Aberdeen Campus to complete the HND.

After graduating from SRUC with a HND in Wildlife and Conservation Management and understanding that volunteering is a vital part of securing a job in the environment, Clare began to monitor squirrel boxes for Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels. For the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative, she monitors a mink raft on a stream near her house and carries out spraying of giant hogweed and Japanese knotweed.

As if that isn’t enough, Clare is also a volunteer Ranger for the Cairngorms National Park for a few days a month, which she fits in around caring for her elderly parents. As a Walk Leader for Paths for All, Clare developed vital people skills, taking out groups of elderly people for a short walk, chatting and enjoying nature then back to the centre for a cup of tea. Her passion and commitment to everything she does is evident.

In February 2024 Clare landed the Visitor Centre Assistant role with the Scottish Wildlife Trust at the Montrose Basin Visitor Centre & Wildlife Reserve, a job that she absolutely loves. Clare now uses all the skills and knowledge she gained from SRUC and volunteering to help visitors from all over the world as well as those closer to home, including educational groups from schools and colleges.

“It’s amazing when you see the kids coming in and they just have a whale of a time and they’ve no idea they are learning. If it even gets a fraction of them hooked on nature, then that’s great.”

Clare welcomes visitors, points out where there are walks and bird hides and shows visitors how to use the scopes and binoculars. The sightings board is updated and many questions about wildlife and the environment are answered. The questions are as wide ranging as the visitors themselves; some don’t know the difference between a blackbird and a robin others teach Clare a thing or two! Clare freely admits that the Wildlife and Conservation Management course gave her a deeper knowledge and confidence when speaking to visitors.

“I still use the knowledge, and I think it will be ingrained in me forever. So many fond memories of the field trips and the knowledge I gained there I’ll take with me forever.”