Hi! My name is Noelia and I am one of the new Natural Communities Trainees for 2013. I´m placed with TCV in Stirling. I´m from Spain and I moved to Stirling just a month ago to start this amazing adventure! Two months ago I wouldn’t have imaged I would be living in Scotland for a year but here I am, learning about Scottish wildlife and culture and, after having survived to my first snowfalls here, I look forward to continuing this wonderful experience!
Throughout the year I will contribute to the work carried out by TCV and partner organisations engaging with new communities, especially those which are more difficult to reach such as ethnic minorities. I will encourage them to get involved with conservation and become more aware of their natural heritage and support them in the development of new skills. I am really excited about the projects I´ll be involved in because social inclusion is a key element.
I participated in my first outdoors activity in Scotland last week and, to be honest, it was much better that what I was expecting: I´ve never been in a bog before (it´s much more difficult to find them in Spain) and looking for “small creatures” it´s something that I will definitely want to repeat soon. Thanks to Julie and Niall (Natural Talent apprecites) for making the day so enjoyable for all of us. Here you can see a picture of some of us in Flanders Moss:
Finally, I will also participate in the Discovering Nature programme that Amanda Joaquin (former NC trainee) co-designed. It will be delivered over the next few months and the first session will take place soon so don´t miss my next blog as I will give you all the details!