Volunteer Hilary at work

27 February 2019

Find out about Steart volunteer Hilary. Thanks to Gwendy for the interview and pictures, look out for further volunteer interviews in the coming weeks.

Hilary is a retired GP from Bridgwater and has been volunteering at WWT Steart Marshes for the past three years. When deciding on a career she was unsure whether to follow the environmental route or the medical route so, having chosen the medical route for her working life, she is now able to pursue the environmental route in her retirement.

Hilary saw an advert for volunteers to help with public engagement and, although unsure her bird knowledge was good enough, applied and started volunteering. She soon found out a lack of specialist knowledge was not an issue. Her favourite task so far has been a plant survey on the salt marshes. This was led by an expert, Dr Hannah Mossman from Manchester University. 'It was very interesting to go out on the salt marshes, where the plants and environment are very different to the rest of the reserve. Hannah showed us some examples of the plants we would find and then walked different transects, identifying what we found'.

Her least favourite task is ditching in the rain, a muddy job at the best of times but very muddy and very cold in the rain. Doing volunteer conservation work has become Hilary's 'sanity in the week', she loves being outside with a great bunch of people, doing physical work and having a good laugh.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at Steart Marshes please contact us at info.steart@wwt.org.uk to arrange a taster day, or complete an application form on our website wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/steart-marshes/visiting/.