When I started my placement year as a Student Naturalist with the Natural History Society of Northumbria (NHSN), I knew I was stepping into a role rooted in curiosity and care for the natural world. What I didn’t expect was just how deeply I would grow—not only as an ecologist and communicator, but as a person.
Over the past eight months, I’ve been immersed in a world where community, conservation, and creativity come together. Each month brought new challenges, new skills, and new stories that shaped this unforgettable year.
Getting Rooted- Learning the Landscape (September-October)
My journey began with induction sessions, shadowing, and training across Gosforth Nature Reserve (GNR), the NHSN office, and community spaces. I was welcomed into the fold by the wonderful Assistant Naturalists and began contributing to long-running projects like Gosforth’s Wild Web (GWW).
From spotting ladybirds in Jesmond Cemetery to designing educational resources and shadowing school visits, my early weeks were a perfect mix of fieldwork and creativity. I even helped organise and participate in the Nature Connection Workshop, connecting with conservationists across the region.
In October, my horizons expanded with field trips to Holy Island, supporting geology and bird education courses, and involvement in events like the Hancock Forum. It was the month I started seeing how wide-ranging and interdisciplinary this work truly is.
Finding My Voice- Digital Storytelling & Public Engagement (November to January)
As the year deepened, so did my role. I began filming and editing NSHN’s Monday Night Talks series, helping NHSN’s ideas and speakers reach a wider audience. I co-created a new YouTube vlog series—Wildside Walks—with my fellow Student Naturalist, Amelia Jenkins, to showcase accessible nature spots in the North East. This hands-on multimedia work taught me how impactful storytelling can be in conservation.
I also helped develop NHSN’s Annual Plan, presented at the AGM, and worked on the Ouse Burn Way project using ArcGIS. Whether I was creating certificates for events, designing posters for Gosforth Nature Reserve, or attending a Quaternary Tea Party for a former trustee, the work always tied back to people and place.
Perhaps one of the most meaningful milestones was giving my own 1829 Talk on honey bees and Himalayan balsam—my undergraduate dissertation topic. Sharing my research with a public audience was nerve-wracking but deeply rewarding.
On the Ground- Conservation, Mapping & Monitoring (February-April)
The latter months saw a shift into more field-based and strategic work. I completed my BeeWalk induction, took on a Jesmond Dene transect, and began reading and researching methodology for upcoming projects at Gosforth Nature Reserve. I also created vegetation survey maps and contributed to science communication through BioBlitz events in Gosforth and Segedunum.
These months were also about legacy and reflection. I helped document member feedback, produced guides for future naturalists, and supported career fairs and workshops to inspire young people. Through events like Nature Journaling at Overgrowth North and interviews for our ‘Talking Naturally’ series, I saw first-hand how conservation can be deeply personal—and how everyone’s story matters.
What I Have Learned
This placement taught me that natural history isn’t just about data or identification—it’s about people, perspective, and purpose. I gained skills in mapping, project planning, digital communications, education, and ecological monitoring. But I also learned how to listen to local voices, hold space for curiosity, and collaborate with care.
Being a Student Naturalist isn’t a solo role—it’s being part of a living, breathing network of passionate individuals working to understand and protect the world around us. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone at NHSN for giving me the opportunity to contribute, learn, and grow.
Looking Ahead
As I move forward in my academic and professional journey, I carry with me not just field notes and videos, but memories and values that will continue to guide me. This year reminded me that being a naturalist is not a title—it’s a lifelong way of seeing, learning, and caring.
If you’re considering a placement like this or looking to reconnect with the natural world, I can wholeheartedly say: step in with open eyes. There’s so much to discover—about nature, and about yourself.
