After learning a bit more about the position during my interview, I soon realised that it was the perfect balance of outdoor work and office life! I then started at Nurture in April 2022 and was gradually eased into the protected wildlife surveys as the weather warmed and the survey-season kicked-off. This included dusk and dawn bat activity surveys, reptile refugia transects, invertebrate sweep netting, and pond dipping for amphibians. I was incredibly lucky to have seen every species of reptile, amphibian and small mammal in Jersey within the first few months!
No day was ever the same at Nurture, due to the number of sites they manage and the spectrum of services they offer to clients. The dynamic nature of the company meant I was constantly learning and engaged in my work. I would accompany the senior ecologists on site visits, conducting Initial Ecological Assessments (IEAs) and Preliminary Roost Inspections (PRIs), whilst scratching up on my general plant ID and architectural terms!
Learning about local legislation, and how the new Wildlife (Jersey) Law can be implemented through Species Protection Plans was really interesting. More often than not, conservation can seem restricted to ‘paper protection’, and so it was refreshing to see how this is now being given more attention in planning applications.
I am a bit of a night-owl and so I LOVED the dawn surveys. A typical day in the summer would consist of conducting a bat activity survey as the sun rose, then heading into the office where I would offload that mornings’ data, analyse the bat calls, produce summary maps and then start on report writing before a brunch break. By the time the sun was out, and the afternoon came round, I could be down the beach enjoying the summer, basking like a lizard!
The environment within the office was also a major highlight of the position. The flexible working hours, mutual respect and general attitude of the other ecologists made coming into the office a pleasure and not a chore - and everyone has a great sense of humour!
As I progressed onto an Assistant Ecologist, more responsibility was gradually passed on to me. To be working for a company that is as invested in you, as you are in them, was amazing! I felt I could finally progress in my career due to the *pardon the pun* nurturing environment they have created; both personally and professionally.
As incredible as Nurture Ecology is for the quality of output for its clients, it is the work ethic, specialised knowledge, and friendship of the team, that makes the company so great to work for.
To say it has been a pleasure to work with Nurture Ecology would be an understatement! So, to anyone with an interest in ecology, local wildlife or island development, look no further than a role as a seasonal ecologist with Nurture!
