The journey of Alex as a trainee forester at the Forest of Marston Vale Trust

Can you tell us a little about your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in forestry and conservation?

I have always been curious about the natural world; it has stayed with me. When the opportunity to join the traineeship at the Forest of Marston Vale Trust came up, it felt like the right moment to turn that curiosity into something practical. I knew the sector could be difficult to break into, and I wanted to find a way to gain real, hands-on experience alongside people who genuinely know their craft. What drew me to this traineeship specifically was the chance to work with a skilled team and build knowledge that you simply cannot get from a textbook. The experience has been varied, challenging, and genuinely rewarding.

What have been some of the most exciting aspects of the role so far?

The variety is what stands out most. No two days are the same, and that keeps you on your toes. I have had the chance to work with a chainsaw, fell trees, thin woodland, and clear around ponds to improve biodiversity. One of the highlights was a placement where 70 acres of land were being regenerated into grassland habitat, alongside a section of hazel-and-willow coppice woodland. Seeing how coppicing works in practice, how cutting a tree at the base produces multiple new stems that become usable material after around seven years, really brought the theory to life. It was also great to see how that kind of woodland management can be a genuinely viable business venture, not just a conservation activity.

What skills have you developed since starting, and which ones are you most excited to keep building?

The practical skills have been hugely valuable, including chainsaw operation, woodland thinning, pond clearance, and low-impact forestry techniques. But what I did not expect was how much I would develop in terms of decision-making. Working alongside really smart, experienced people has given me the confidence to form my own views on the right approach in a given situation. That is not something you can learn in a classroom. I am most excited to continue developing my understanding of habitat management at a landscape scale, considering how you connect habitats, create ecological corridors, and build a mosaic of different environments that support genuine species diversity. That bigger picture thinking is something I want to keep deepening.

How has this experience deepened your appreciation for nature and conservation?

It has completely changed how I look at a woodland or a landscape. Before, I might have seen a field or a hedgerow. Now I see connections in the way hedgerows act as wildlife corridors, linking habitats that would otherwise be isolated islands. I think about what a site will look like in 50 years and what we need to put in the ground today to ensure it thrives amid wetter winters and drier summers. Climate change is not an abstract concept when you are making planting decisions; it is something you have to factor into every choice. That long-term thinking has given me a much deeper appreciation for what conservation actually involves.

What does a typical day look like for you in the traineeship?

There is no typical day which suits me well. You might spend part of the morning thinking through a practical problem on site, then be out in the afternoon thinning woodland or clearing around a pond. One day you are learning about coppice cycles, the next you are on a placement meeting people who have spent decades in the sector. Access to experienced practitioners is something you really cannot replicate any other way. Every conversation teaches you something.

How will this traineeship shape your future career in forestry and conservation?

It is a stepping stone, and I mean that in the best possible way. Whether the next move is a degree, an apprenticeship, or a role as an assistant forester, this traineeship gives you something solid to build from. It also makes the skills you already have from previous roles, education, and life relevant and valuable in this sector. That is something I did not fully appreciate before I started. Transferable skills matter, but you need the context to apply them. The traineeship provides that context.

Would you recommend this traineeship to someone considering applying?

Absolutely. But go in curious. That is the most important thing. Ask questions, then try to figure out the answers for yourself as well. This sector rewards people who are genuinely interested in why things work the way they do, not just what to do, but the reasoning behind it. If you have that curiosity and a real passion for nature and conservation, this traineeship will give you a strong foundation to build on.

How can local communities get involved in supporting conservation and woodland restoration?

Getting out into natural spaces is the starting point, and paying attention to what is there. Beyond that, volunteering is a fantastic way to get involved, whether that is practical work like scrub clearance and tree planting, or supporting in other ways. Corporate groups can also get involved through tree planting days, which are great for team building and genuinely make a difference on the ground. At a personal level, even small actions matter: a garden pond, pollinator-friendly planting, and leaving wild corners. The more people feel connected to nature, the more they want to protect it. That connection is everything.

If you could change one thing about how people view forests and conservation, what would it be?

I think the biggest misconception is that conservation means leaving nature alone. In reality, active management is essential. Thinning a woodland, cutting back growth to let light reach the forest floor, and coppicing trees are all acts of care, not destruction. A well-managed woodland is a living, dynamic system with structure, variation, and diversity. That is what creates the conditions for wildlife to thrive. If people understood that, I think they would see conservation work very differently, not as interference, but as stewardship.