Hello, my name is Jessica Halpin, and I am the trainee Nature Reserves Assistant on the Our People Our Places project based at Bog Meadows Nature Reserve, in west Belfast.
I started the traineeship in April 2023, so I’ve been at Bog Meadows for a year and a half now. The traineeship has been an incredible opportunity, and I have met so many wonderful people and gained a wealth of new skills and experience.
The Meadow Ladies hold a special place in my heart. From meeting some of the members through other activities at Bog Meadows to watching the group come together under the name 'Meadow Ladies,' they have been a constant part of my time here. Taking part in activities ranging from butterfly surveys to nature-based crafts, it has been wonderful to see a group of women come together and experience the health benefits of spending time in nature.
The garden volunteers were another group that played a consistent part of my time at Bog Meadows. From working with the volunteers to develop initial plans for the garden to building and planting it, the community wilding garden was a really exciting project to be part of. The dedication the gardeners showed, even through many rainy Monday mornings, was amazing. And the proof is in the pudding – the garden is an incredible space for people to get ideas for their own outdoor space!
Watching young people learn, interact and develop a relationship with nature was a wonderful experience. The knowledge and enthusiasm these young people brought really blew me away! Some of my favourite moments were listening to them excitedly talk about a bird or bug that they found fascinating. Watch this space – there are some wonderful new conservationists on the way!
Throughout my time at Bog Meadows, we hosted many groups for wellbeing in nature sessions. Delivering these sessions was a truly eye-opening experience, showcasing how being in nature can impact someone’s mental health. As someone who spends a lot of time outdoors, both for work and in my personal life, I feel I somewhat took for granted the power nature has in making us feel more grounded. Working with these groups made me develop an even greater appreciation for nature, particularly urban green spaces.
Throughout my time at Bog Meadows, we hosted many public events, from summer family days, wreath-making workshops, and summer and winter solstice events. These events were a great opportunity to engage with the local community. On event that stands out was the winter solstice event last December. The beautifully decorated lanterns created by members of the community, the cosy fire, and the traditional harp melodies made for a truly special evening.
During my traineeship, I had the opportunity to undertake a variety of different tasks required to manage a nature reserve over a year. This allowed me to build upon the skills I developed in my previous roles, and gain confidence in the use of a range of tools. As my confidence grew, I was given the chance to deliver volunteering sessions carrying out various practical work around the nature reserve.
Overall, I had an incredible experience during my traineeship at Bog Meadows. The combination of community engagement and hands-on practical work provided me with a wealth of experience that I can carry forward into my next role as Peatlands Conservation Officer with Ulster Wildlife.
