Duration: 9 months

Placement Host: National Trust Wyckham Fenn

Location: Cambridge

Landholding: 1863.4 acres

Main grazing: Fen and wet grassland/arable reversion

 

Livestock: Highland cattle (47) and Konik Polski (64), both breeding.

 

The Project: Wicken Fen is designated as a:

National Nature Reserve

Site of Special Scientific Interest under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive.

Wetland protected under the international Ramsar Convention.

There is no higher recognition of ecological importance. These designations have been principally made on account of the open Fen habitats such as sedge beds, reed communities and Fen meadows. Aquatic habitats such as the dykes and pools are also very important. Dryer grassland and woodland also add diversity to the site but in the case of woodland, its expansion has often been at the expense of more valuable open Fen habitats.

 

The Work: The successfull  trainee would be encouraged and expected to become a part of the team here at Wicken.  They would assist in not just the day-to-day maintenance and welfare of the grazing herds but would also be assisting to implement longer term grazing plans, looking forward to the next twenty years.

They would play a role assisting with the long term animal behaviour research project currently running here at the Fen, for example, helping with data collection and input.  They would gain general tractor and PTO driven implements skills.  There would also be considerable opportunity to gain skills in fencing, ditch maintenance, coppicing and scrub clearance. 

Because the livestock at Wyckham Fenn are manged with minimal intervention it is hoped that the trainee will spend time with the National Trust at Wimpole gaining a wide range of livestock skills.

It is anticipated at this time that the trainees project will be based on revisiting the decision to use Konik ponies against native breeds.

 

Website: www.wicken.org.uk/