The last few months have seen a few staffing changes in our scurry, including a new Community Coordination and Outreach Officer who will be focusing on our eradication work in Aberdeen, and a new Programme Manager to head up the SSRS team! Find out more in their own words:
Programme Manager: Gail Turney
“Following several years working as highway design engineer and project manager, I re-kindled my love of nature through volunteering then working as a countryside ranger for RSPB and National Trust, spending my days managing ancient woodland, heathland and lowland wetland. From there I managed the delivery of habitat restoration projects including the restoration of coastal lagoons and marshes on Suffolk’s internationally important Orford Ness and Havergate Island. Studying Ecology and Conservation and specialising in invertebrates, I was able to further explore my fascination with insects. With a keen interest in scientific research more recently I managed the delivery of a Europe-wide scientific research project, working in a large partnership investigating the impacts of pesticides, pathogens and nutrition on bee health to inform European policy. I moved to Scotland this year driven by a passion to restore nature in this beautiful country. Following a short spell restoring some magical habitats in the north of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, I’m delighted to join the SSRS team and am really excited about the opportunity to work collaboratively in the SSRS partnership, and to help protect and promote Scotland’s iconic red squirrels for future generations. Outside of work, when I’m not chasing insects, I’m out on my bike taking in the beautiful landscapes on offer!
Contact: gturney@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk
Community Coordination and Outreach Officer: Naomi Bentley
“Working in conservation has been a dream of mine since childhood and I am absolutely delighted to have gained a role with Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels! I have fond memories of the squirrels in my primary school playground, and spotting reds in the Lake District with my family. I have lived in Aberdeen since 2018, when I moved up from North England to study for an MSc in Marine Conservation. I also gained a PGDE and taught as a primary teacher for just over two years before joining the SSRS. Previously I was a fixed-term residential volunteer at the Scottish Dolphin Centre where I ran community talks, assisted volunteers and completed Shorewatch surveys. I also currently volunteer for local charity, Greyhope Bay. I understand how important it is to ensure the continued survival of our native red squirrel species, and I have learned so much already in the SSRS team. In my free time I enjoy being outside as much as possible, hill walking, cycling and beach combing.”
Contact: nbentley@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk
But that’s not all, we also have a number of new Eradication Officers, and Monitoring & Control Officers in our North East, Tayside, Angus & the Mearns, and Argyll & Trossachs areas, working hard to ensure the protection of red squirrel populations around the country.
Looking ahead, we have several very exciting upcoming opportunities to join the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels team – so watch this space! Vacancies will be advertised on the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s website here.