As an RSPB community and volunteer development officer I am constantly amazed by the voluntary workforce that is driving nature conservation across the UK. Recently I was handed a hard task, to pick just a couple of people, out of the many I work with, to illustrate the transformative power of volunteering for a Springwatch story.
However, Mike Bloxham and Aaron Bhambra have a particularly special message to share. Mike is an ex-teacher and entomologist with over 40-years experience monitoring and recording invertebrates at our Sandwell Valley reserve, and Aaron is a post-grad on a learning assistant internship at Sandwell.
With 56 years between them, this volunteer duo has forged a lasting friendship because of a mutual fascination with the Technicolor minutiae that inhabit the undergrowth. Yes, I’m talking about insects, and these two volunteers have a relentless need to identify, understand and then share learning about all the creepy crawlies at Sandwell Valley.
Mike has encouraged Aaron’s newly discovered enthusiasm for biting and stinging things, and happily passed on his years of experience and knowledge. The more people that understand about the natural world, the better position we are in to help it.
When I asked what makes Aaron a great student, Mike replied it was the 22 year-old’s considerable patience and powers of concentration.
“He also isn’t afraid to make mistakes, which is very important,” he added.
“Aaron has taught me to look at the world through a different pair of eyes and never to assume that because I have explained something, other people have understood my message. I have learned to be more patient and thorough in my own studies.”
For Aaron, Mike’s mentoring has opened up a world he’d previously had little exposure to, and taught him many valuable lessons.
“Mike’s infectious passion and incredible levels of knowledge make him a good mentor, particularly his theatrical approach to enthusing people about wildlife,” he said.
“I’m not afraid to make mistakes, especially when trying something new. Getting things wrong is just as important as getting them right, it’s the only way you learn. Mike has also shown me that confidence and respect is everything when handling animals.”
While the RSPB’s core work is concerned with the protection and conservation of avian species, as an organisation we are highly aware that all eco-systems are facing challenging times and need our support. Mike has a life-long love of invertebrates but I wanted to know what attracted Aaron to this particular area of study?
“Because they [insects] are so overlooked,” he replied.
“Once you learn how important they are in supporting life on earth, you can't help but think that there is something alluringly mysterious about their lives and slightly divine about their existence.
“I think young people of today will be a significant force in changing ecologically harmful behaviours as well as destructive perspectives in the future. Younger generations are growing up with a strong environmental ethic that is based on their understanding of how important nature is, both personally and as a community.
“Not many of my friends volunteer, I fear partly due to the fact that people feel that something is only worthwhile if they are being paid. However, I have met countless young volunteers in my role as a learning assistant at Sandwell Valley who are an integral part of our community and add an extra dimension to the RSPB family.
“If I hadn't taken the internship I probably would have fallen into the trap of finding a job that only pays the bills rather than searching for a career that stimulates my desire to learn and connect with something bigger than myself.”
For me this relationship has brought home just how important it is for all the naturalists out there, novice and professional, to share their knowledge with budding enthusiasts at every opportunity – it’s one of the best ways to help protect nature for generations to come.
Find out more about volunteering for the RSPB .
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