Oregon Nature Conservancy Programme Volunteer Feedback
Ex-Volunteer Feedback Extracts
Abigail Rumsey, Msc Biodiversity and Conservation from Oxford spent 3 months as an Ecological Field Technician May to August 2011
Dear Vicky,
I never said thank you for organising my work placement with The Nature Conservancy in Oregon. I had a fantastic two months there, which flew by, and met some great people. The scenery was stunning with lots of opportunities to go hiking and camping, plus I went to a soapbox derby and a rodeo! I also learnt a great deal both working with the data and helping the team with their fieldwork - I learnt A LOT of new plants! I kept a blog while I was there if you want to take a look at it and see a few photos.
All the best, Abigail
Photo on right: Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) or Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperi) - "Just minding my own business and look what flies into the window!"
Louise Shirley, a student of Applied Ecology from Reading University worked as an Ecological Field Tehnician from June to August 2009:
Dear Victoria,
I just wanted to thank you for advertising the Nature Conservancy internship in NE Oregon. I had an amazing 3 months out there, did not want to leave. It was an incredible opportunity, so thankyou very much for everything! I'll recommend Working Abroad to anyone interested in volunteer work.
"Working Abroad enabled me to go on a 3 month internship with the Nature Conservancy. I was very impressed by how supportive and professional they were. I'll be looking to them in the future for similar work, and would recommend them to anyone looking for experience in environmental or community work."
Louise Shirley
Denise O'Meara, from Ireland, worked as an Ecological Field Technician from June to July at the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve - read her feedback:
Just letting you know that the Zumwalt field position was a great success and I had a brilliant summer. The prairie is a wonderful place and its theming with wildlife and a great feeling of freedom. The TNC do some great work there and work very well with the local ranchers in the area. The Willowas offer fantastic recreational opportunities at the weekends and despite the rural setting and low key night life...I was never happier and certainly never bored. In fact I didn't have enough time there to see everything. I made some great friends and experienced a part of the US that I didn't know really existed and showed me a perspective that is now shaded by political circumstances.
There are some great people doing important conservation work in the area. I learned a great deal from them and I am sure it will be of great benefit to me now heading into my final year of my applied ecology undergraduate degree.
Denise.