I’m currently undergoing my student placement with North Wales Wildlife Trust. Now that the summer season has passed, I wanted to reflect on some of the work we’ve been doing and the highlights of my placement so far.

Summer plays a defining role in conservation. The long days, increased wildlife activity, and opportunities for fieldwork make it an exciting and rewarding time. Of course, it also comes with challenges: the heat, midges, and fast-growing bracken certainly keep us on our toes. But those challenges are balanced by the chance to spend more time outdoors, witness nature at its peak, and contribute directly to vital conservation work.

A major focus this summer has been habitat management, particularly the removal of invasive species across our reserves. At our Gwaith Powdwr Nature Reserve, for example, Buddleja davidii (Butterfly Bush) has become a persistent issue, spreading through open glades that reptiles depend on for basking. Reaching the buddleja often requires tackling dense bramble thickets first, but the effort is always worthwhile in maintaining these habitats.

Alongside this, we’ve carried out a range of surveys, including reptile monitoring at our Morfa Bychan Nature Reserve near Porthmadog. These surveys gave us some fantastic encounters with snakes, slow worms, and lizards—a powerful reminder of the resilience and vitality of wildlife within our reserves.

Another rewarding part of my placement has been community engagement. I’ve been working closely with local community spaces and allotments, and I’m currently developing a workshop with Yr Orsaf, due to launch later this month. Over the past four months, I’ve also been deeply involved in the Garden Escapers project, which focuses on tackling invasive species in partnership with landowners and community groups. Meeting people, sharing knowledge, and discussing training opportunities has been inspiring—it creates a real sense of optimism and positive change.

As autumn approaches, my placement will bring new opportunities for training and skills development, including chainsaw handling, brush cutter use, and herbicide application. While the colder weather will soon set in, I’m sure the practical work will keep me both busy and warm.

I’m looking forward to seeing how our reserves continue to evolve with the changing seasons, and I’m excited about the months ahead—both in terms of personal growth and the progress of the projects I am working on.