The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales is looking for dedicated and enthusiastic individuals to join our Living Seas volunteer team based at the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre (CBMWC).
About CBMWC
The Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre is the Living Seas wing of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. Since 1996 we have been dedicated to raising awareness of the local marine environment through research and education. Using land and boat based surveys, photo-identification and acoustic studies we collect data on marine megafauna, focusing on bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises and Atlantic grey seals in the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and the wider Irish Sea. We operate a busy visitor centre and also provide marine educational activities for families, school and groups.
What You Will Gain
Joining the Living Seas volunteer team is a fantastic opportunity for you to carry out marine mammal research and become involved in environmental education and our awareness raising work. You’ll learn about the marine species of Cardigan Bay and gain experience in field work, processing data, environmental education and community engagement.
Past volunteers have gone on to further education, work as Marine Mammal Observers and work for other conservation or governmental organisations.
The Volunteering Role
Volunteers will assist with our Living Seas research and community engagement work. Volunteer tasks include (but not limited too) –
- Land based marine mammal surveys (daily)
- Boat based marine megafauna surveys *
- Manning our visitor centre – inspiring visitors
- Entering and checking data
- Updating sightings information on our website/social media
- Assisting with community engagement events
- Conducting beach cleans
- Up-keep of our small, saltwater aquarium
- There may also be the opportunity to assist with other tasks e.g. acoustic analysis and writing blogs for our website.
* Boat trips are run by an external company who we collaborate with. They are weather dependent and volunteers take turns to join trips to act as on-board researcher. During times of bad weather you will spend more time carrying out shore-based activities.
Volunteer Skills/Qualities
- A commitment to volunteering
- Research and surveying experience
- ICT skills, including MS Office and GIS
- Interest/experience of engaging with the public
- A mature and responsible attitude
- Proactive with the ability to work independently and unsupervised
- Flexible approach to work as you will volunteer outside of normal office hours
- An interest and knowledge of British marine mammals (desirable)
- A background in biology/marine biology (desirable)
Please note that enthusiasm and passion for our work and the marine environment is as valued as experience, since full training is provided.
Volunteers will receive training in marine species identification and observation, survey techniques, data processing and community engagement.
Volunteer Dates 2019
Volunteer positions are available from 25th March until 4th November 2019. You must be able to volunteer for an entire block and priority will be given to those who can volunteer for more than one block.
- Block A – 25th March – 29th April (5 weeks)
- Block B – 29th April – 3rd June (5 weeks)
- Block C – 3rd June – 8th July – (8 weeks)
- Block D – 8th July – 2nd September (8 weeks)
- Block E – 2nd September – 4th November (9 weeks)