by Ildiko Scurr

ophie is the assistant ranger for the North Bournemouth countryside team who look after 5 reserves in their area and the area ’ s new visitor ’ s centre . Sophie is someone that has a natural

passion for wild life conservation management with a particular interest in working with communities to help raise the awareness of local species in the area .

Her passion is to ensure local wildlife , their habitats and ecosystems are being maintained and managed in the best possible way . Some of the methods the local centre uses to raise

awareness is by holding events and specialised guided walks through natural reserve areas . They are able to guide visitors and provide educational tours that promote understanding of the environment and its protection .

Sophie feels the centre is now starting to create a special space for the Bournemouth community with numbers of local visitors coming to visit the centre increasing by over 70 % in just under a year . The visitor feedback has been positive and many who are local to the area have commented on how wonderful it is to have such a natural resource in their community .

It ’ s Sophie ’ s hope that the local community will recognise the importance of having beautiful natural spaces to enjoy and share in a sense of collective ownership and responsibility . By working together as a community to help maintain and support these areas it will leave a legacy for the next generation to enjoy .

Sustainability is a key area for the centre with Sophie overseeing a five year management plan . One of the initiatives is to keep the biodiversity high in the area . Bournemouth has species that require specialised habitats in order to breed and maintain their populations . Species like the otter which is a favourite among visitors , grass snakes which are aptly abundant in the area , and water voles with initiatives focused on trying to raise the population .

Sophie is keen to see the restoration of breeding areas for kingfishers . Kingfishers require nesting sites in smooth areas along the river bank . Her efforts have been focused on clearing the banks of branches and

other obstructions to promote nesting . The other factors that impact the breeding sites are dog users , fishermen and the effects of erosion by flooding .

The goal of the management plan is to maintain the reserve and the original habitats within it that many species depend on . Where nature may move onward after an event when destruction has been caused , it ’ s important that we return the environment back to a state that can sustain the original inhabitants . Animals that have lived and breed in the area for hundreds of years .

With the centre been open for only a year there are talks happening to look at possibly opening up a future national park for Bournemouth and Dorset .

As Ambassadors in the wildlife reserve states that “ we know and we understand what is needed , what is required to look after the habitats . Some of the actions we take are destructive and from the outside can

have ordinary people confused about why we do what we do ”. The positive nature of having the centre is it creates a gateway for people to learn more and understand the methodologies and practices of maintaining natural reserves .

Sophie ’ s environmental passion is the study of Entomology . She has a particular interest in butterflies and moths . One of the beautiful comments she had made was how much satisfaction she receives in enjoying sharing the knowledge she has learnt in her field but also reminding people compassionately to take some time , take a breath and to enjoy the many ecosystems which exist in nature . In conclusion Sophie shared her beautiful wisdom .

“ Appreciate what you have on your doorstep . The UK has lost so many of its larger species in the UK because we did not look after their habitats . We are a small little island compared to most , but we have a lot of wildlife and amazing hidden green spaces . I highly recommend that people enjoy

and take in how wonderful the environment is .

I can have a bad day but all my stress goes when Im enjoying walk in nature . It ’ s the best tonic ever just being outside . We have to realise just how wonderful and how necessary our natural spaces are to our wellbeing and to our local wildlife . We need to make sure it ’ s available for everyone to enjoy ”.

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