I started in the Conservation Officer role at WOLCT just seven weeks ago, and a fairly full seven weeks it has been! The most important bit of advice offered to me by my colleague Dan, was never forget to fill up the tea kit and biscuit tin for a volunteer task. Failure to do so would be bordering a criminal offence and to expect it never to be forgotten by the volunteers. An excellent bit of new job advice!
My initial priorities were to understand the basic responsibilities of the role, including the surveys that WOLCT currently undertake, how we manage invasive non-native species, such as Giant hogweed and how volunteer and Corporate events are run. My first wade in the river itself was between Saughton and Balgreen, a memorable experience on my fourth day in the job, supporting Johnny with a Corporate group. It was an immersive insight into the beauty of the river and its wildlife but also the issues that it faces. Wet wipes and other sanitary items caught at the flood line on banks and branches and fifteen or so disposable vapes picked up from the riverbed and surrounding banks, not to mention the numerous other items of rubbish and three bikes all hauled from the water! All this in just a few hundred metres of river.
It became very clear to me that without the work of the Trust and its many dedicated staff and volunteers for nearly 40 years, the little urban river would literally be flowing with litter and would be an incredibly unhealthy habitat. I’m delighted to have been invited to join this highly dedicated team of people at the Trust and hope that I can do my little bit going forward for the health of this very special river, in the Conservation Officer role.