Welcome to David Bridger, Heritage Trainee at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
David Bridger is the new Heritage Trainee at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. He’s just a couple of weeks into his new role but we’ve been lucky enough to get a quick catch up to find out how it’s all going.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I am originally from Poole in Dorset, where I was fortunate to grow up enjoying the natural splendour of the Purbecks and Jurassic Coast to the west, Poole Harbour to the south, and the New Forest to the east. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to work with wildlife and in conservation, and I am sure that frequently visiting such places as a child is a major reason why I care so deeply for the natural world. In truth, there was also a time where I wanted to be an actor, but my deep-rooted passion for the environment and wildlife has always been a point of focus and consistency and is where I feel I belong in this world.
After finishing my studies at university as an under-graduate and post-graduate in Zoology and Wildlife Conservation respectively, I moved to Rye with my partner in 2019, where we had planned to stay for perhaps a year or so. In 2020 of course, Covid-19 struck and ultimately we thought it best to stay put for a while longer, and I continued making the most of my jobs in hospitality and retail in the local area. Wildlife and conservation still called to me though, but finding employment in the field was challenging to say the least. At some point I signed up to the Sussex Wildlife Trust newsletter and eventually found out about the Heritage Trainee role at Rye Harbour and knew I had to apply when the opportunity came around – and here I am!
What interests you about being a Heritage Trainee at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve?
The position offers so much scope to learn and develop new skills, meet new people, engage in community action and help maintain such a unique and beautiful part of the country. The role is quite broad - no two days have been the same - and working with like-minded people on the reserve and guiding people of all ages and backgrounds is so rewarding. I have to pinch myself each morning as I walk into the reserve, it is such a joy to be amongst this changing landscape and I am so happy to be here.
Anything you’re particularly looking forward to in the role?
As part of my training I get to undertake courses in practical skills for land management that I lack, such as hedge trimming, brush cutting and the maintenance and safe use of machinery and chainsaws. These are all things that seem to be essential or certainly desirable for employment in this field, so I am very eager to learn as much as I can and get stuck in.
What’s your long-term plan?
At present, I am keen to develop all the skills and qualifications I would need in order to become a Ranger in the future – a position I have applied for up and down the country, but due to my lack of practical qualifications in land management, have never got far pursuing. I do wonder though, if at the end of this traineeship, I may have discovered a particular niche or interest within myself that I had never thought of or knew about. Who can say?
What interests you most about Rye Harbour Nature Reserve?
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve has such a rare beauty and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anywhere quite like it. Aside from the biodiversity of birds, plants and other wildlife that the reserve supports, I am fascinated by the saltmarsh areas and its role as a very effective ‘carbon sink’. It just goes to show how vital it is to protect and maintain all types of biomes and ecosystems, not just forests, in the bid to curtail the effects of man-made climate change.
You’re a local person, does this make a difference to how you feel about this role and becoming a part of the team?
Living locally and already being very familiar with the area and the reserve has definitely given me a different perspective and level of appreciation for this position – as well as for the nature reserve itself. Living and working in and around Rye helps to strengthen the community and I am already surprised by the number of connections I have been able to make between colleagues as well as local people and visitors I have met so far. Living and working locally also helps strengthen the local economy and bolster inter-personal relationships, plus it feels so rewarding to know I have a hand in caring for somewhere so near and dear to me, as well as to Rye. Last, but certainly not least, it makes for a much easier commute.
Share something we don’t know about you
Over the years I have amassed a decent vinyl LP collection, largely consisting of my favourite post-punk, rock, folk and pop acts from the 1970s and 80s.
The Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Heritage Trainee position is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.