Ben: Creating more equal access to nature for future generations

After finishing university, despite having completed a Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management accredited undergraduate course and working part-time as an ectotherm zookeeper for two years, Ben realised that to get the amount of experience expected of him, he was required to volunteer his time, which financially wasn’t possible.

When he came across the Heart of England Forest role created through the New to Nature programme, he was eager to get involved. Ben had an interest in teaching, but believed that this should extend outside of the classroom, making the role perfect for him. On the job, Ben is delivering school sessions based around the national curriculum, helping him to gain experience working with young children and improve his delivery and communication skills.

The Heart of England Forest is a charity predominantly focused on the conservation and restoration of native woodland in Warwickshire and Worcestershire, having already planted over 2 million trees in the area. For Ben, getting the chance to be involved in such an important, long-lasting project was incredibly appealing.

He particularly enjoys getting to deliver sessions to children who don’t usually have access to the natural environment and creating opportunities for them to play in the forest and make new friends. Ben hopes in the future to deliver ecological fieldwork sessions to people of all ages and has a real passion for giving people who usually lack access to nature, a chance to explore it. Ben feels that New to Nature has made his goals for the future much more possible, as he is gaining invaluable experience and knowledge.

Ben said:

“As someone who grew up in a working class, urban town – I know first-hand, the awe some of these children experience when they step foot into the sun-dappled forest and the joy they experience cooking for themselves.

“A project I’ve always wanted to start up is getting LGBTQ+ people in particular out in nature. As a queer trans man myself, I’ve often felt alone when I’ve tried to get involved with local nature initiatives or join local walking groups. As a community, it would be great to create a network where we can meet up with a shared interest and find joy not only in ourselves but the world around us.

“I want to be that voice for people who want to learn about nature but may not feel like it’s theirs to enjoy – I’ve been that person; I know how daunting it can be.”