Ben Deed
What employment sector do you work in?
Public Sector
How long have you had a green job for nature?
15 years
Salary Range
£40,001 – £50,000
Please describe the work that you do.
I am one of three ecologists that work on the Biological Heritage Sites (BHS) system for Lancashire, our equivalent to Local Wildlife Sites, and support the Local Environmental Records Centre (LERN). I am involved in all aspects of the sites system from survey and monitoring, providing management advice to landowners, reviewing guidelines and processes and acting as an advocate for their importance. With LERN I am closely involved with aspects of data management and undertaking analysis.
What do you most like about your job? Any dislikes?
The work is incredibly varied, this year alone I have undertaken field work on ancient woodland and wildflower meadows, supported and exciting new project to identify Waxcap grassland, delivered a project to develop new connectivity modelling techniques and been closely involved in the development of Lancashire’s Nature Recovery Strategy. There is endless scope for personal development.
The level of work and available resource can be a drawback however and limited resources of local government mean that sometimes I can be drawn off my primary work areas to support other projects leading to high workload and frustration.
What inspired you into this career?
I love nature and the natural environment, I am a naturalist at heart and I also enjoy data and technology. I grew up to shows by David Bellamy and he was an early inspiration for me, in truth I always imagined that I would explore uncharted wilderness!
Having volunteered with the Lancashire Wildlife Trust and then worked at the Local Environmental Records Centre I became more aware of the issues around conservation and how data and planning can be used as tools to benefit nature but are too often poorly applied or lacking. This career puts me in a position where I feel I can work to address some of those issues.
Have you faced any challenges in progressing your career so far?
The most difficult step for me was to get on the career ladder in the first place. I spent several post university years working in bars and administration. Now the main issues are the lack of opportunities for progression and likelihood of redundancy due to local government cuts.
What education/training did you have?
My pre-career education consisted of a BSc in Environmental Conservation which was ultimately not particularly useful. Of much more relevance was about two years of conservation volunteering and some work as a seasonal assistant to an ecological consultant.
I have subsequently undertaken a much more relevant MSc (in Biological Recording with the Field Studies Council) and regularly do short courses and other professional development.
What advice would you give to someone coming into the profession?
1 – Learn and develop practical skills and a portfolio of projects. Do things that interest you and showcase who you are and could be professionally. You can do this by volunteering or on your own initiative.
2 – Get in touch with people and groups relevant in your area, share your interests and the things you do with them and get to know them. The environmental sector is quite close and it helps if people know of you and your skill or interest. A specialism can help you stand out.
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Tags: England, Public sector, Ecologist, Data and mapping roles
Date profile submitted: 25/11/2024
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