Hello, I’m Kinga, ACT Habitat Restoration Trainee. Before this role, I studied Zoology and Ecology and was a residential volunteer at an RSPB reserve. I’ve always been fascinated and passionate about all things nature, so I jumped at the opportunity to develop my skills and knowledge in conserving and restoring essential ecosystems like peatland and temperate rainforest. My work has been very varied!

On the temperate rainforest side, I mapped areas where Rhododendron ponticum had been removed and/or treated, helped with removal myself, carried out contractor work site checks, built planter boxes for the upcoming tree nursery and planted saplings. I also got the chance to experience other ACT work streams, such as training to become a Branching Out Leader and completing Carbon Literacy Training.

   

Tree nursery planter built for native tree saplings    Rhododendron ponticum removal work

My peatland tasks included site visits, peat depth, breeding bird and habitat surveys, mapping species records, learning restoration techniques and writing habitat and bird survey reports for landowners.

           

Spotted a frog during a site walkover survey                                   Found an adder skin during a Contractor Open Day

I also led community engagement events to raise awareness and appreciation for peatlands and their restoration. These included Brownie and Rainbow sessions in Port Ellen and a lesson on peatland ecosystem services with the Islay High School Rural Skills class. It was great to see the children and students enjoying the activities while learning more about peatlands and the many benefits they provide. Other events included two peatland-inspired art sessions with local artists, a summer holiday session with MYCOS and a Peatland Gaelic Walk and Talk with the Islay Gaelic Centre.

Peatland Gaelic Walk and Talk led by myself and Neil from The Islay Gaelic Centre

One highlight was representing ACT at the Kintyre Show, where we arranged a peatland site visit to scope out potential work and chatted to landowners about restoration. It was brilliant to hear first-hand from a farmer about the benefits of restoration and to help increase understanding of peatlands across all ages. I really enjoy organising and leading community engagement events, they’re a chance to share my enthusiasm and appreciation for nature and wildlife.

ACT stall at Kintyre Show to raise awareness of peatland and peatland restoration to general public and chat with landowners for potential restoration projects

During my role, I’ve developed my mapping skills a lot, creating and editing maps for peatland restoration funding applications and recording species activity. I’ve also gained experience putting together documents for funding applications, from scoring tender submissions to providing information on species mitigation procedures and calculating estimated restoration costs.

When I think about standout memories, I still feel like I need to pinch myself sometimes, I’ve been able to work towards conservation goals I’ve always been passionate about. I especially loved being outdoors, surveying for breeding birds, deer impacts and plant biodiversity in summer, and peatland walkovers and NatureScot Greenland White-fronted Goose surveys in winter. I also enjoyed using practical skills, from helping lead a corporate work party planting saplings, to carrying out peat depth surveys and working at the tree nursery. I’ve absorbed so much knowledge about peatland ecosystems through training in Peatland Restoration Design, Forest to Bog and Peatland Hydrology.  

Teaching a lesson on peatland and peatland ecosystem services and restoration basics for Islay High School Rural Skills class

Looking ahead, I’ll continue working in ecosystem and wildlife conservation and restoration, and I’m keen to bring the skills and knowledge I’ve gained in this traineeship into my next role. It’s been great working with different people across ACT, thanks to everyone who’s contributed to making my traineeship such a positive experience, not just in developing my skills but also through kindness and support. Lastly, a big thank you to Esmée Fairbairn Foundation for making my role possible.