Meet the staff - Callum Forster

Callum Forster is one of our new Leysdown Trainee Rangers. We caught up with him to find out a bit more about him 

Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m from Gateshead in the North East. I moved South to study Film at the University of Westminster and then moved further South still to Brighton after graduating where I worked for a TV Production company. I mainly worked as an edit assistant, but I was also a licensed commercial drone operator and kit room manager. Like a lot of people I started to revaluate my life’s priorities during the pandemic and left TV behind to explore different paths. After a lot of time spent in the countryside and reconnecting with nature, I realised a job in the outdoors would suit me. I had time to reflect on this when I moved abroad to teach English in Barcelona for two years and when I returned to Sussex last summer, I started looking out for opportunities to learn about conservation and to get involved in the sector. It’s then that I started volunteering with the Trust as part of the Brighton and Western Reserves Hit Squads and I’ve also helped as an Education Volunteer as well.

In terms of my interests, I’m an early days bird nerd, having learnt a lot from Mike Russell on his excellent Introduction to Birdwatching course with the Trust. Beyond nature, I love great storytelling be it in books, films or games – with a particular love for science fiction and fantasy, but I enjoy anything and everything.

I also love language learning and can speak Spanish and Catalan (although both are in need of dusting off).

Why were you interested in becoming a trainee?

As a career changer, applying for the position was a no brainer! I already knew I enjoyed working with the Trust as a volunteer and I felt that the position provided the perfect opportunity for learning, gaining practical experience, meeting new people and exploring the landscape of Sussex. Paid traineeships like this are few and far between and as someone with no prior academic or professional background in ecology and conservation, it seemed like a chance to really channel all my energy into reskilling.

How’s it going so far?

Great. It’s not even been a month yet and I already feel like I’ve learnt loads and gained essential new skills. I’ve been off on training courses for 4x4, brush cutting and outdoors First Aid. I’ve also been out working on some of our eastern reserves, some of which I’d hadn’t previously visited, such as Old Lodge.

I’ve felt so welcomed by colleagues and volunteers since starting and it’s great to see how enthusiastic everyone is about the trainee position. I feel so lucky and privileged to be here as part of the team.

What have you most enjoyed?

Each week has had its own twist, so it’s hard to single out a moment I’ve enjoyed most.

I had a blast helping the grazing team as they were coming to the tail end of lambing season. I’ve not had any experience with farm work before, so it was fun to get stuck in and learn from our colleagues who live and breathe it.

Another highlight has been getting to know our volunteers who help out across the Eastern Reserves. People give their time up for all sorts of reasons to help us with our practical conservation work and they’re always willing to share their experiences and wildlife knowledge.

From the world of birds, I can’t skip the fact that I got to see and hear my first ever Turtle Dove at Wood’s Mill. What a treat.

What are you looking forward to?

I’m excited to explore all our reserves and learn about their local ecologies. We’re lucky to have such a great diversity of habitats across Sussex and I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface.

I’ve been focused on birds over the past few months, but I’m looking forward to learning about other areas like wildflowers, invertebrates and small mammals. I’m also interested in working with our grazing animals and understanding how we use them to manage our landscapes in aid of nature recovery.

On top of that, I’m excited to meet and work with more colleagues across the Trust and to see how I can learn from and support other teams.

What’s your favourite wild place in Sussex and why?

Since first moving to Brighton six year ago, the South Downs has always been one of my favourite places. Whether I’m walking, cycling or out camping, it’s a landscape that’s hard to beat. All along the hills, there’s incredible views, pockets of heritage and history, and importantly an abundance of wildlife all throughout the grasslands, hedgerows and woodlands that make up the Downs. Best of all, it’s only a stone’s throw away from Brighton, which means in less than ten minutes I could be out exploring and feeling inspired by nature. What more could I ask for?

Tell us something about yourself most people don’t know

I love a good board game (this is no secret to those who know me) and in 2014 I was a regional finalist in a Settlers of Catan tournament!