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Six Months as the Community Intern by Finn Bell

Marbled white butterfly on a common spotted orchid in a wildflower meadow © Tom Marshall

In this blog, Finn reflects on the past six months as a Green Future Leader intern with the Radnorshire Wildlife Trust, sharing how the experience has shaped his confidence, skills, and passion for conservation.

When I first started six months ago, I really had no idea the breadth of work I’d get to undertake or how much I’d grow in the process. I’d been searching for an entry-level role in conservation for some time. While there are plenty of competitive traineeships out there, paid opportunities like Green Future Leaders are rare. So, I felt incredibly lucky to have been chosen for this position.

After studying Human Geography at university, I was deeply interested in tackling global challenges—but I often felt overwhelmed by their scale. As a young person, it’s easy to feel powerless when headlines constantly remind us that massive corporations and governments control so much of what happens in the world. I kept asking myself: What can I, as an individual, actually do? But through getting involved with local community groups in North Wales, I discovered something transformative. By focusing on improving my local area, I felt empowered - realising that meaningful change starts small, and it starts close to home. This internship felt like the perfect opportunity to explore that path further.

This internship felt like the perfect chance to reconnect with my love for nature and my curiosity about nature restoration work. While I’d once dreamed of traipsing through the jungle in a quasi-Attenborough-meets-Tintin way, I was mostly just eager to figure out if conservation was really the path for me.

Before this role, I’d worked on a few conservation projects, like in the Isles of Scilly, where I also based my undergraduate dissertation. But my experience was all on the practical, management side, with little experience in community engagement. Academic research is great, but it doesn’t prepare you for real-world conversations—or the patience, empathy, and persistence they require.

I quickly learned that true community engagement is about listening deeply, building trust, and finding shared values—no matter how different people’s priorities may seem at first. Often, it’s as simple as a shared love for the outdoors or a concern for food security. There’s always common ground if you look hard enough, and in today’s polarised world, these connections feel more important than ever.

Interns and trainees standing in a field conducting survey

The first few months were full of firsts. I’d never run a survey or a workshop, let alone written a risk assessment. And I’d certainly never worked with children or young people, which I found both daunting and exciting. Six months later, I’m amazed at how much I’ve achieved and how rewarding these challenges have been.

One of the first things I learned was how to conduct various surveys—grazing impact, botanical, and species-specific ones for moths, butterflies, and birds. At first, I worked alongside our brilliant trainees, who were already part of Radnorshire Wildlife Trust when I joined. I soon found myself leading activities, which was both a confidence boost and a reminder of how much I’d grown in just a few months. Recently, I even helped interview and onboard two new trainees who’ll be continuing with us—a full-circle moment I’m really proud of.

People walking up a field

Speaking of trainees, they were one of the highlights of my time here. Supporting them with skills, CVs, and career advice—while learning from them in turn—was such a fulfilling part of the role. It’s a great feeling to pass on what you’ve learned while forming genuine friendships along the way.

Another major part of the role involved event planning and delivery. Early on, I supported our project officers with events like the Wilder Lugg Project Launch, and the Wye Adapt to Climate Change? event at Gilfach, and later the Wilder Pentwyn project’s Wilding film screening. Working with Chloe, Dan, and Sarenta on these projects gave me a fantastic insight into the charity’s work from every angle. It suited my “human geography brain,” which thrives on variety. Jack of all trades? Master of none, maybe. But at this stage in my career, gathering a wide range of experiences has been invaluable.

I also got stuck into the grassroots side of engagement, like visiting local farms to meet community members. At first, this was daunting—knocking on doors, hoping to find people instead of just livestock—but these visits often led to meaningful connections. I learned quickly that engagement is not something you can rush or quantify. It’s about being present, listening, and letting relationships grow organically.

A sunny morning looking over tents with misty clouds

I was lucky to be part of some amazing events, including the Youth Summer Camp, where I led a bat walk—a highlight for me. After an initial 10-15 minutes of “bat radio silence” and struggling to keep the kids’ attention, we finally heard the chirps of Pipistrelles, and our group was enveloped in a feeding frenzy down by the River Wye. It was so special to see the group quietly watching, absorbed by the spectacle, which for some became the highlight of their weekend. Its these experiences that stay with children into adulthood, forming a bond and understanding with the wonders of our natural world, even here in the UK.

Working with children and young people turned out to be one of the most rewarding aspects of the internship. Their energy and curiosity were infectious, and I found myself completely connecting with it. From helping Alicia, our “Beaver Messiah,” with primary school workshops (beaver mask-making was a clear winner!) to leading my own sessions with secondary school students, I gained skills and confidence with every visit. I also collaborated with the Reserves Intern (and now good friend), Grace, on summer events ranging from river dipping to nature photography, and even ran a Youth Group session at Gilfach. One of the highlights was setting up a long-term partnership between Wilder Pentwyn Farm and Llanbister Primary School—a project I hope will continue to inspire young people for years to come.

Audience looking over panel discussion on stage in village hall

This internship has given me a deep understanding of how conservation charities operate, from funding and project management to community engagement. It’s also shown me the unique challenges of working in rural Wales, where access to nature can be limited by transport and mobility. Often, the solution is to bring conservation to the people—through school visits, urban events, and activities that reduce barriers to participation.

Interns standing in conversation

Grace and I had the incredible opportunity to visit the Senedd as part of the Stand for Nature Wales project, an initiative focused on empowering young people to advocate for the environment. This visit marked a pivotal moment ahead of delivering the project's Youth Manifesto for Nature to COP-16. It was inspiring to stand in such a significant political space, representing the voice of our generation and championing urgent action for biodiversity and sustainability. The experience reinforced our commitment to ensuring that youth perspectives are at the heart of global climate conversations

One of the biggest takeaways for me is how vital consistent funding is for community work. Building trust and fostering long-term relationships takes time, which requires sustained financial support. Hopefully, the success of projects like this will inspire more paid entry-level roles in conservation. These positions are crucial for ensuring greater diversity in the sector. Without them, we risk excluding those who can’t afford to start their careers unpaid, leading to a less representative future for conservation.

Now I must thank everyone I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with and working alongside—this experience has been truly special and incredibly rewarding. It’s challenged me in ways I didn’t expect, but I now feel much more prepared to step into a role in this sector. I’ve been fortunate to receive great support while also being trusted to take on far more responsibility than I anticipated—and now, it’s on to the next adventure!