INSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES www.btcv.org/naturaltalent

Rats, Weeds and Awareness.........

Lyn Byrne

BTCV Natural Talent Invasive Species Apprentice

INSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES www.btcv.org/naturaltalentINSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES www.btcv.org/naturaltalent

BTCV Natural Talent Apprenticeship Scheme

“BTCV Scotland's Natural Talent apprenticeship scheme is leading the charge against the loss of specialist ecological skills in the UK's environmental sector. Set up in 2006,

with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, BTCV Scotland has worked towards training the next generation of experts in specialist habitat management and

taxonomic skills. Working in partners such as RGBE, LNAC, NIEA, NT and SNH 19 apprenticeships have been recruited in fields ranging from mycology, bryology and lichenology through to farmland conservation and invasive species management.

BTCV are looking for the final 12 month apprenticeship , starting early next year, to be based Northern Ireland.”

INSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES www.btcv.org/naturaltalent

BTCV Natural Talent Invasive Species Apprenticeship

Host Organisation Lough Neagh Advisory Committee

Mentors John Early, NIEAMark Horton, Ballinderry Fish Hatchery

INSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES www.btcv.org/naturaltalent

BTCV Natural Talent Invasive Species Apprenticeship

TrainingWorkshops

Laboratory visits

Volunteer days

Conferences

INSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES www.btcv.org/naturaltalent

Rams Island Rat Eradication

INSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES www.btcv.org/naturaltalent

Ballinderry River Non-Native Invasive Plant Control Programme

Catchment wide alien plant control programme

Volunteer workforce

Community Landfill Tax funded

Part of RIPPLE (Rivers, Involving People, Places and Leading by

Example)

First project of it’s kind in NI

INSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES www.btcv.org/naturaltalent

Education & Awareness

Education packsGames, activity sheets

Awareness EventsTraining courses, awareness days

INSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES www.btcv.org/naturaltalent

Apprenticeship Schemes

Creating a focus at a community level

Promoting good practice within communities

Bridging the gap between advisory networks and people on the

ground

Affordable dedicated workforce

INSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES www.btcv.org/naturaltalent

Volunteers

Key to invasive species management

Personal connection with local environment

Key percentage of workforce

Help sustain the longevity of projects

There happy to be paid in cake..............