The “Pebblebeds for All” project aims to create a place where people and nature thrive. This exciting three-year project is led by the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust (PHCT) and is supported with more than £190,000 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players. The project has also been supported with over £150,000 from the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust.
Thanks to this funding, a new Apprentice Ranger has been recruited to develop the key competencies required for a successful career in conservation.
Ned Mills has been appointed as the Apprentice Ranger for the Pebblebeds For All project and will be working with a highly experienced team across the Pebblebed Heaths and Otter Estuary nature reserves to carry out a range of work to develop their knowledge in the sector.
Covering both internationally significant heathland, and newly created intertidal wetland, these reserves provide an ideal location to learn about the ecology and management of diverse habitats and wildlife. Ned will support, and complete tasks as agreed by the Reserves Manager and Rangers, including habitat management, infrastructure maintenance, ecological monitoring, and visitor engagement.
This role is aimed at supporting someone from the local area in progressing a career in conservation. The apprentice is expected to complete the Level 4 Countryside Ranger Apprenticeship Standard through Bridgewater & Taunton College by the end of the appointment.
Ned comes to the role having previously studied Land and Wildlife Management at Bicton College and gaining experience on the Pebblebed Heaths with Rangers Ed Lagdon and Paul Swain. Having completed his Level 3 Diploma, Ned was looking for his next steps into a career in conservation and applied to the apprenticeship because…
“I enjoy being outside and I like knowing that my work is having a positive impact on the environment. I’m hoping to gain more responsibility out of the role and gain further experience to take onto a future job.”
This apprenticeship will practically build on Ned’s knowledge gained from his college Diploma where he studied a range of modules including ecological surveys, conservation practices, land based machinery, estate maintenance, and heathland management.
Ned started his apprenticeship in September 2024 and in the first few months he has been looking after some of the cattle on the heaths and has been out gorse coppicing or felling birch and pine trees, putting his chainsaw skills to practice.
Keep an eye out on the Pebblebed Heaths website and social media to see how Ned is progressing throughout his apprenticeship.
To keep up to date with the latest project news keep an eye out on our projects page on the PHCT website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We look forward to sharing more information about how people can get involved with this project in the coming months.