I’ve been falling behind with keeping this updated lately – I suppose
this is a consequence of having so much going on! Our photo day was excellent, it was great to meet Graham Burns, our official BTCV photographer, and Kieren, the VO and blogger from Stirling who is also a keen photographer.
I also had the chance to meet John MacFarlane of Natural Talent fame, as well as Ian Warburton, the ranger from Muiravonside Park, who, as it happens, is a very keen photographer himself – if you get a chance, check out his Wild Images website for some truly fantastic shots. As a latent marine biologist, I can’t fail to be drawn to the beautiful images of St. Lucia!
Saturday, of course, was the Natural Talent Open Day at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh. I attended a very interesting workshop on bryology run by current NT apprentice Maren, and her mentor, expert bryologist David Long. The other presentations, by other apprentices and their mentors were equally interesting. They are all obviously extremely passionate about their subjects, and I was particularly inspired by the presentation on lichens.On top of everything else, last week saw more drystane dyking at Bo’ness and Kinneil Heritage Railway, plus learning how to do the office stats and attempting to navigate through the monolithic filing system. We also managed to set up the spare computer without any panicked calls to IT Support, which just about concludes the final phase of our office redesign. It is truly amazing how different our little room looks now, compared to how it was when I started two months ago.On that note, before I start sprouting nonsense about long and fruitful journeys, I should take this point to say that I shall be away for the best part of two weeks on what is almost (but not quite) an action break – running a residential heritage conservation week in Yorkshire in collaboration with Cathedral Camps and the Churches Conservation Trust.Mainly, I will be undertaking surveys, acting as a guide and leader, and just generally helping out. I accept that I might be alone in this particular enthusiasm, but you’d be amazed just how much wildlife is supported by listed or rural churchyards, which often have restrictions on the use of pesticides and grass-cutting machinery. Obviously thisresults in what we conservationists like best – maintenance with hand tools only and lots of undeveloped space for rare flowers and invertebrates (and lots and lots of lichens!). Plus, it should be good experience.Finally, in case anyone thinks I’ve forgotten about it – I am trying to get our site maps (and hopefully all our photographs) up and running before I leave tomorrow, but if I don’t manage it today, I will do it as soon as I get back.I hope you all have a great couple of weeks!