The Galloway Fisheries Trust has secured funding from the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership and The Holywood Trust to support a second internship within their organisation.
After the success of the first intern, Abbie Nye, the second opportunity has been taken up by Dan Pollard from Mochrum, Dumfries and Galloway. Dan has a keen interest in all things fisheries-related and previously completed a placement at the GFT while completing his environmental degree. This then opened up the option of the internship, which he was successful in applying to in May 2021.
Dan began his internship in June 2021 and his fully-paid, full-time role will last for 6 months.
He will be involved in delivering a range of research, conservation and community engagement projects, including working on the ‘Black Water of Dee Habitat Restoration Project’ to enhance riparian and instream habitats, and will gain significant technical and operational skills that will leave him much better equipped to find a permanent position in the field.
Jamie Ribbens, Senior Biologist for the Galloway Fisheries Trust, said:
“Our interns are a valuable part of our organisation, and we always focus on making sure their experience is as rewarding as possible. Knowing what a hard-worker Dan is, we are delighted to have him on board, and look forward to seeing his skills develop over the next 6 months.”
Dan said,
“I am very excited to have been given this opportunity and am extremely grateful that I am able to take the first steps towards a future career in conservation so soon after graduating from the University of Glasgow. I’m happy to say that I have already been involved with a number of exciting things during my first couple weeks as an intern, such as habitat works and electrofishing training so that I may operate the anode when conducting electrofishing surveys. I am eagerly looking forward to what is to come during the rest of my time at GFT.”
Helen Keron, Education and Community Engagement Officer for the Galloway Glens said,
“Partnership working is at the core of everything we do at the Galloway Glens, and we are delighted to be continuing our very effective partnership with the Galloway Fisheries Trust by supporting this second position. I know Abbie had a great experience with them and feels much better equipped to find a full-time position now, and I’m quite sure Dan will feel the same in 6 months’ time!”
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The aim of the Galloway Fisheries Trust is to restore and maintain aquatic biodiversity, particularly native fish, in Galloway by means of practical, responsible and sustainable approaches to land, water and fishery management, based on sound science, for the benefit of the community as a whole.
The Galloway Fisheries Trust is an environmental charity which was set up in 1988.
The Trust now covers a wide range of work which covers most of Dumfries and Galloway’s rivers and still waters.
The aims of our remit are met by undertaking practical works, education initiatives, focussed research projects and delivering key services to member waters and the wider community. Evidence based management underpins this work program.
The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme is a suite of projects happening across the catchments of the rivers Ken and Dee from 2018 to 2023. £2.7million of core funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will be matched by a variety of partners to bring over £5million of investment into the area over the 5 years. The area stretches from the uplands behind Carsphairn in the north, through the Glenkens, past Loch Ken, through Castle Douglas and out to the sea at Kirkcudbright. 35 headline projects plus more Small Grants projects all aim to connect people with their cultural, natural and built heritage, and to support sustainable modern rural communities. For more information about the scheme, visit www.gallowayglens.org.
The Holywood Trust is a charitable organisation which aims to help young people in Dumfries and Galloway. It gives grants to individuals and organisations, creating opportunities for young people in the region.
We want to help young people throughout Dumfries and Galloway fulfil their potential in cultural, educational and social aspects of their lives. We do this by providing financial grants to individual young people, and to organisations which support or provide opportunities for young people in the region.
About the National Lottery Heritage Fund
Using money raised by the National Lottery, we Inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.HeritageFund.org.uk.
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