The Nature Commission, with the support of the Lions Club of Guernsey, offered Sam Billinghurst and Leah Cottell the chance to get involved over the summer as assistant ecologist interns.
Mr Billinghurst studied wildlife and practical conservation at university and, after spending time in the UK after his degree, decided to return to Guernsey.
‘I grew up here and I moved to the UK about two years ago with the idea of trying to find some more experience, sort of explore the job market, and then I saw this internship pop up and I loved the idea of having the opportunity to give back to the island,’ he said. ‘I’m trying to build some relevant experience and it’s great as well because this is a paid internship and a lot of opportunities from what I’ve experienced aren’t paid, so that’s something that I’ve really appreciated.’
Ms Cottell studied biology at university and took a sabbatical from her full-time job at the Guille-Alles Library to do the internship.
‘I went to the UK to do biology as a degree and then came back here because I love it here, but there are not really many opportunities, I think, for using that skill set, so I’ve been doing a bit of volunteering with the Nature Commission and with La Societe as well,’ she said.
‘I really wanted to basically get a load of experience and get stuck into the environment.’
The pair have been working on communications in engagement but have also been working with Nature Commission ecologist Charlotte Burgoine on surveys.
‘It’s been really fun to actually get involved with some of the more niche surveys, like we’ve got green lizards and things out in Fort George, so that was really nice to go out and survey those,’ said Ms Cottell.
‘We’ve been joining our ecologist Charlotte while she goes and surveys those, which is really fun.’
Both said they had enjoyed the internship and it had helped them learn more about the local environment, as well as what goes on at the Nature Commission.
‘Growing up here I feel like I had a pretty good understanding, but it has been good to get really stuck in,’ said Mr Billinghurst.
‘I think for me it was actually just understanding how much work these guys do,’ Ms Cottell said.