Start in Glasgow, use what you have and do what you can. Conservation is a place of harmony between humans and the land, the environment and the economy are really two sides of the same coin. If we cannot sustain the environment then we we cannot sustain ourselves. Environmental conservation is all about protecting both rural and urban landscapes, plants, animals and the countryside.

Apprenticeship Routes in the Environmental Conservation Industry

As an Apprentice in the environmental and conservation industry you’ll choose between four job routes:

• Environmental Conservation – The scope of environmental conservation is stretched from local issues (e.g. community recycling) to national ones (e.g. global warming). You’ll work towards ensuring our countryside, wildlife populations and eco-systems are preserved for future generations.
• Access and Recreation – You’ll be responsible for managing public access, often in a defined geographical area or along a defined route. You could also be advising visitors about safe and responsible access to the countryside, lead guided walks and help to develop self-guided trails and related publications. Others may focus specifically on the legal definition of public access, processing formal changes to the network, researching alignments and status of routes, and maintaining a definitive map (which acts as a legal record of the public’s right of way).
• River, Coasts, Waterways and Flood Risk – Your responsibilities will be to manage flood risk from main rivers and the sea, and work with others to maintain and improve main rivers.
• Drystone Walling – Dry stone walls are an important part of the landscape, and are an attractive way to provide boundary definition. No mortar is used to bind them and yet they remain stable due to the unique way in which they are constructed.

It's all happening in Glasgow

Glasgow isn’t just known as a thriving city, it also boasts over 90 parks and gardens, such as the beautiful People’s Palace and Winter Gardens, and, just out the city lies Strathclyde Country Park. The serene beauty of the woodlands and the raw power of the spectacular falls is something worth preserving.

Progression Routes

With experience and relevant qualifications it is possible to progress to management or more senior positions. The career structure will vary depending on the size of the organisation. It may be necessary to seek opportunities with an alternative employer in order to progress. Self-employed contract work, both on a practical and consultancy basis may also available. There is also the possibility of specialising in an area of the work, such as definitive maps or enforcement. Opportunities will vary depending on the organisation.

You’ll promote the conservation and preservation of the world we live in, each and everyone of us can make changes in the way we live our lives and be part of the solution to a maintainable environment. There is a lack of conservation ethic in today’s culture which is an important environmental issue, people like you can shape the world. Look deep into nature and you’ll see things from a different perspective, you’ll gain a whole new understanding.