India Reeves has been volunteering at Five Acres for two years. Actively looking to change her career towards a more environmental direction, she works with Wild Allet every Wednesday, gaining new skills and experience each week. Tom caught up with India to say thank you for her efforts and to find out all about the positive impact she and her fellow volunteers have had at this nature reserve.

How did you get involved with volunteering a couple of years ago? What was your motivation?

I basically wanted to have a career change. I've always enjoyed being outside. I've grew up in Cornwall and I love nature. I live just down the road and this was the closest place for me so I reached out to them. David [May] was super welcoming and then just had me over for the first day. Since then I was hooked because I was learning all about land management and getting a bit closer to the ‘hands on’ side of conservation. I also picked up knowledge every day I was here, connecting more with the other volunteers who are local people I would never normally get to interact with.

It sounds like it has been really positive experience for you. What would you say you've gained from being a volunteer here?

Loads! Real scientific knowledge: every time you come, you're learning something new. As the seasons change, as the years go by, you're following the calendar of the seasons, and all of nature around you. You're learning everything from the practical side of environmental conservation. Personally I also get a sense of really, really good mental well-being, connecting and talking to people. I really enjoy being around other people and it's just... really good!

What are some of the most enjoyable tasks you've done here?

There's so many different tools that you get to use! So, in the Spring and Summer you get to use scythes. I really enjoy scything and clearing the meadows but also doing things like emptying the ponds. You learn how to fix things and the reasons why we try to create different ecosystems. I feel like I'm learning lots of scientific things, but also learning more personal skills, being around other people and working within a team.

Has it changed a lot over the last couple of years?

Yes, massively. We've planted new trees, we've cleared lots of areas, which is an ongoing project: you have to cope with the way it always comes back! On the pond itself, we implemented a new system at the main building where we collect rainwater; instead of going on to the ground and potentially causing flooding, it now gets funnelled down here and fills up the pond.

I hope you know what an impact you've made here in this this small part of Cornwall. When you think about the bigger global picture, do you feel negative about what's going on in the world or do you have more optimism having done this?

I think it's really easy to fall into having a negative outlook. It's quite disheartening when you see all of the things on the news when they're telling you about climate change and the impact of global warming. We've all sat there watching it and not doing anything or not really knowing what to do. They're not giving us solutions. The solutions are closer to home and easier to get into than people realise; I'm very optimistic about where we're going in terms of reaching all of the goals set at the COP Summit. When you start volunteering, you realise that the solutions aren't necessarily just reducing your fossil fuel consumption at home. You don't have to be turning the heating down. You don't have to be changing your diet. All of those things help and everyone can do their own thing in their own way. But a lot of the time between those things are only successful when you have a good mental shift. The way to start doing that is to volunteer, be outside and really connect with the thing that you're trying to preserve and conserve. You realise the reason why you want to do it: it's because you genuinely care.

What would you say to someone who's considering becoming a volunteer, thinking: 'I'm not sure if it's for me'. Would you have any words of advice for them?

Volunteering is for everyone. Every kind of person can get into volunteering, and you don't have to have any knowledge either; you just have to want to be outside! Just go and reach out. There are so many different organisations. I'm really lucky because the Wildlife Trust is here and I live just down the road, so I can come up here every Wednesday. I’m also fortunate to have that day off in the week where I can come and be out here. But there are there's lots of options. Even if it's just once a month or once every week... you'll come away from it feeling really good about yourself. You just have loads of fun.

It was great to get a sense of India’s passion for nature and for volunteering. We are so grateful for all that she has done as a volunteer and to everyone else who’s helping create a Cornwall where nature thrives. 

If you would like to find out more about volunteering at Wild Allet or in another capacity for Cornwall Wildlife Trust drop us a line at: volunteering@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk