How to get into ecology?

[treeseer]

"I enjoy tree work but my love of it is certainly waning as I get older"

 

Why is this

 

Perhaps integrating arb/eco? Clients love to see their trees lived in, and on.

Pruning and Habitat-- Balancing Objectives (1).docx

[HCR]

Get an EPS licence (doesn't really matter which one, but make it a species that is found in your area!) and you should be able to get seasonal survey work with a consultancy. Work hard and you'll get a regular position.

[Doug Blease]

You can't just get an EPS licence. You need to demonstrate knowledge, competency, CPD record and references.

 

Also you don't need an EPS licence to undertake most phase 1, non intrusive surveys, such as bat activity surveys.

 

Honestly, all you need to do is affiliate yourself to a good organisation or cause, start reading up on a subject and get networking. Simples.

[HCR]

Just to clarify, when I said 'get an EPS licence' I didn't mean for you to go to the Post Office and just buy one...

 

As Doug Blease says it's not essential to have one, and I've employed lots of ecologists over the years who didn't have them, but it's a very useful way to become a potential asset to an employer, and it can demonstrate a certain level of commitment.

[Samba]

Hey guys, thanks for all your replies and useful comments, Its so encouraging to hear positive and constructive words.

 

My love of treework is waning in meerly a practical sense as I have been and done a lot and am finding my interest in practical work to be a little tiresome as there are only so many times I can say, "Why are we deadwooding this tree over a field?", and "no maddame your tree isn't 'just' too big"

 

I have studied long and hard and its hard to find an employer that keeps your mind alive and doesn't challenge your morals (I was told in an interview that they wanted a client led employee who pushed the boundaries and they didn't want a hippy tree lover) Plus I love wildlife, I always have and always will.

 

I volunteered all last summer with a local ecologist carrying out dusk emergence bat surveys. I also helped him with a few other surveys and at the end of the summer he offered to pay me. I have also added myself to the list of volunteer surveyors for the local wildlife trusts and have been employed as a sub contract climbing surveyor for bats.

 

This has all been possible because I became self employed which gave me the time and I have the support from my fiancee and people like yourselves offering me this advice.

 

I look forward to the new year when I hope to work towards my bat license and gain as much experience as I can.

 

Cheers again guys and anymore advice is appreciated.

 

Happy new year

[Typsey]

I'm an ecologist. I'm also a part-time cutter and climber but this is normally just for friends, family and local wildlife trust when they need a hand.

 

If you want to get into ecology in a serious way i.e. full-time then you need a degree. Some companies even ask for a Masters. Personally I'm not sure survey work is even covered on most degrees but if you want to get through the initial paper sift when applying then you need one.

 

Holding survey licenses help. A lot. GCN is fairly easy to get and if you work/volunteer for a couple of organisations for a season then you should be able to get the two references you'll need. But do a course as well with a recognised provider to make sure you have covered everything you need to support your licence application.

 

The bat licence is very hard to get. Most people work for at least a couple of years before they have enough experience to apply for one. However, they are not always needed. Activity surveys can be carried out by anyone but if you think you are going to see a bat where you are looking or are about to shove an inspection camera somewhere then you need to back off and have a licensed bat worker with you.

 

IEEM membership is pretty much mandatory for the big companies. They are also working on minimum standards for working as an ecologist and they have set the bar quite high.

 

If I can help out with anything else then drop me a PM or contact me through my website below.

 

Good luck.