Hello! I’m Sue Loughran and I’m delighted to be a TCV Natural Talent trainee for the next 12 months, studying lower plants and invertebrates of heaths and mires. I’m based at Head Office, Field Studies Council (FSC), Shropshire, where I’m housed in the Biodiversity office. This is a fantastic place to be…no two days are the same, and Sue, Charlie and Rich have been incredibly welcoming; ensuring that I’ve been included in any relevant opportunities that will help me make this year successful.
Biodiversity is at the centre of the FSC ethos and this post is already giving me wonderful opportunities to absorb as much information as possible. The FSC has over 70 years’ experience of providing opportunities for people to connect with nature, and this is reflected in the forward- thinking educational departments, who link very closely with A level Biology and Geography syllabuses.
After the TCV induction week, I was very lucky to walk straight into the FSC national induction week, based at Preston Montford. This gave me a really good understanding of the values and scope of the work of the FSC, and also a chance to start to get to know a few people. My first meeting with Charlie (my FSC line manager) was spent trying to spot Bilberry bumblebees on the Stiperstones. Unfortunately we had to admit defeat, and drown our sorrows in coffee and cake (not such a bad day after all!), but it was a great way to get to know each other a bit better.
Since that day, I’ve been regularly involved in moth trapping, attended a sphagnum course in FSC Rhyd y Creuau, been on weekly bioblitzes with the Shropshire entomologists, been introduced to the wonders of bumble and solitary bees, assisted in running a biodiversity staff meeting for the whole of Head Office (including a practical session on improving bee habitats), attended a day’s course designed for local young people with interest in natural history (“Growing Confidence” project), met the publications department and taken responsibility for researching a new pull out chart, been on a water vole survey day, attended an amphibian and reptile training day and have made contact with the TCV offices in Birmingham and Liverpool, in advance of thinking about working together over the next year. I am hoping that I will be able to join the “Boglife Project “ in North Shropshire, and become involved in baseline survey work.
So…lots going on! I’m loving discovering a new county, hearing wonderful dawn choruses from my tent, and seeing the most stunning bluebell carpets. It’s a massive adventure with lots to learn, but I’m just going to give it my absolute all! Thank you TCV, FSC and Esmee Fairbairn Foundation for giving me such a wonderful opportunity!
