Countryside Ranger Review

I thoroughly enjoyed the placement and not only was I fully able to complete my assignment based on it, I also gained many useful practical skills, as well as communication skills. I was able to help with tasks in all different settings, including helping with education, volunteers and assisting the rangers.

Everyone was very welcoming and helpful during my placement, and I was pleased that I was able to carry out animal checks etc alone as I ad some responsibility of my own. Rangers had good feedback for me (helping with education and the volunteer days) which was reassuring for me!

I had a lot of guidance during my placement, and I was given loads of opportunities to develop my skills. Everyone was very supportive with my assignment requirements too: I had access to the management plan, photos were taken for me, and I was also given advice for my presentation too!

I was able to develop lots of my skills: the rangers were very helpful in showing me different transferable skills (e.g. drilling, sawing, animal checks) and let me use a range of equipment such as the BCS and brushcutters which I had never used before! This will definitely help me in my degree as it is a practical degree, as well as in future employment!

I thought my placement was very well structured; I knew what to expect each day without the days being repetitive or boring! I was given the opportunity to spend time not only with the countryside rangers, but also with the Leave Only Footprints team, and so my time at Hengistbury was spent well.

The atmosphere was great (even in the rain!). Everyone was very friendly and kind and I didn't feel as though I was intruding. Even though it was fun, there was always a purpose to what we were doing and so the tasks were carried out efficiently while still being enjoyable.

Even though I was only at Hengistbury Head for 3 weeks, I was able to begin working towards my BCS and brush cutting tickets. As well as this, I was allowed to develop my interpersonal skills and communicate with members of the public (pond dipping session and volunteer days). This has helped me to build my confidence.

During the placement I got an insight into the day to day operation of a countryside ranger. I was also able to see what it was like to work in education. I attended a meeting from Bournemouth Parks (along with Stour Valley) and so I was also able to see what happens from a council point of view.

It was very valuable to me as I had never carried out any ranger type work for more than a day before, and I was able to decide that I enjoyed doing it (even in bad weather!). I was able to confirm that I would really like to do a job working outside and in the conservation sector.

I had no expenses I needed to be reimbursed for.

I would definitely recommend Hengistbury to a friend on the same course as me! l learned loads of new things (both skills and ideas) and I was also able to put into practice things I have learned in lessons and on practical days at University. I really enjoyed my placement and I think it has benefitted me greatly!