For International Women’s Day 2024, we wanted to highlight some of the inspiring women that make up Dorset Wildlife Trust. These women work in a variety of areas in conservation, and we’re grateful for every single one of them and their commitment to protecting nature.

I'm Grace and I am the Dorset Peat Partnership Project Manager at Dorset Wildlife Trust.

In my role, I have the opportunity to work with some great partner organisations who are collaboratively working together to restore degraded peat habitats on our precious heaths. By rewetting them, Dorset's heaths can store more water, and in the longer term enable peat forming processes to establish with the greater benefit of capturing greenhouse gas emissions and storing carbon. Creating these wetland habitats will also benefit countless species and boost biodiversity.

In my role I get to work alongside land managers, volunteers, communication teams, specialist surveyors and contractors who are all supporting and helping us to deliver the objectives of the Nature for Climate Peatland grant scheme. 

I really enjoy any opportunity to get outside on our sites, whether to assist and support volunteers conducting baseline vegetation monitoring surveys, installing dipwells, to measure peat depths or monitor changes in the sites by recording fixed point photographs or to support a site visit. Obviously the bogs and mires are known for the wet environments, so a sturdy pair of wellies and some good waterproofs are always essential.

I'm Daisy and I am an Engagement Officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust. I split my role across two sites; Wild Woodbury and Kingcombe Visitor Centre. 

I’ve been working in conservation for about three years now, after initially taking on an admin role at Dorset Wildlife Trust, and I absolutely love it. My work in engagement and rewilding is so empowering and inspiring. My working days are incredibly varied, from brushcutting and taking water samples, to leading guided walks and species surveys. My job is extremely fulfilling and I feel as though I get the opportunity to make a positive difference every single day. My ambition is to engage with as many people as possible, sharing my love of the natural world with them and celebrating the precious wildlife we have in Dorset.  

My name is Colleen and I am the Assistant Conservation Officer (Rivers & Wetlands) at Dorset Wildlife Trust. 

I believe that humans are fundamentally and complexly intertwined with nature; we are not separable. So, it is our responsibility to look after the environment. I have always thought it was my calling to protect wildlife and spread the word about things we can do to aid nature recovery and change harmful human behaviour.

My absolute favourite nature-based solution, and focus of much of my work, is the Dorset Beaver Project. The science and data we are creating on water quality and wetland habitat restoration is extremely important. But I also love being able to educate as part of my role; leading guided tours of the special wetland site and teaching the public about beaver ecology. We have forgotten how to live alongside this native species, as it has been missing from our landscapes for 400 years. But as a keystone species, these are one of the ultimate natural ways to restore our wetlands. It is our teams’ privilege to be able to share our project and educate communities about living with beavers again. 

I feel lucky to work alongside such passionate and dedicated people, working towards a shared goal. I have worked with conservation trainees across the southwest Wildlife Trusts, and this has demonstrated the importance of helping people from all walks of life access conservation careers. That chance to empower others sits with me day in and day out. As a previous trainee myself, I have conquered that fear, self-doubt and lack of confidence, in taking that leap to pursue a career I had previously written off. And that means I will always strive to bring others on the journey, through their own doubts and into careers in conservation. 

If you are interested in pursuing a career in conservation or working at Dorset Wildlife Trust, check out our volunteering opportunities and current vacancies.