Reserves & Land Officer
Wychwood Forest Trust
The Wychwood Forest Trust (WFT) was formed in 1997 to champion a revival of the landscape character and mixed woodland habitats found across much of West Oxfordshire when it was one of the last great hunting forests in England. Our purpose is to work with the people of the Wychwood to restore and create more woodland and dynamic mosaic habitats for nature recovery across our landscapes. Our approach to reversing the decline of nature is to demonstrate what is possible, and inspire others to think and act creatively and with optimism.
We aim to achieve this through both traditional conservation management practices, and by more experimental and creative approaches on our own suite of nature reserves, public woodlands, and restoration and rewilding sites. We collaborate extensively with the Wychwood’s local communities, land owners, businesses and schools, have close links with and support from our county and district councils, and maintain a strong public and corporate membership base.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and personable practical conservationist to join our team. You will undertake all aspects of managing WFT’s own land and work with and support the organisation’s committed volunteers. You will continue to build on our relationships with local communities, landowners and other conservation groups to help realise positive wildlife and habitat restoration projects within the Wychwood area.
The successful applicant will have a clear passion for the natural environment and the drive to help us enhance the value of the former Wychwood Forest for the people and wildlife of today and tomorrow. Knowledge of traditional conservation management techniques is essential, but we are also keen to hear from applicants with an interest in rewilding and less prescriptive approaches to nature reserve and countryside management. This is an interesting time to be joining WFT as we take on new sites and plan new projects.
The closing date for applications is Friday 27th November at 5pm. Interviews will be held in the week commencing 7th December.
About Wychwood Forest Trust
The Wychwood Forest Trust is a conservation charity that works in the places once part of the historic Wychwood Forest. We work with local communities to protect and restore habitats, and advise local landowners and organisations on matters of ecology and conservation. Our volunteer groups help monitor wild flowers, repair dry stone walls, and plant and maintain hedges across our region. We also provide training and courses to help people learn traditional rural skills and crafts, and run projects promoting the Wychwood's unique cultural identity.
WFT aims to increase the number of ‘islands’ of recovering semi-natural habitat within our heavily modified agricultural landscapes, making them more hospitable to declining biodiversity. Our vision is of a thriving natural landscape in the historic Wychwood Forest area, rich in wildlife and habitats, enjoyed by and benefitting all.
The Wychwood Forest Trust is a conservation charity that works in the places once part of the historic Wychwood Forest. We work with local communities to protect and restore habitats, and advise local landowners and organisations on matters of ecology and conservation. Our volunteer groups help monitor wild flowers, repair dry stone walls, and plant and maintain hedges across our region. We also provide training and courses to help people learn traditional rural skills and crafts, and run projects promoting the Wychwood's unique cultural identity. WFT aims to increase the number of ‘islands’ of recovering semi-natural habitat within our heavily modified agricultural landscapes, making them more hospitable to declining biodiversity. Our vision is of a thriving natural landscape in the historic Wychwood Forest area, rich in wildlife and habitats, enjoyed by and benefitting all.
more