“My name is Sarah Kilshaw and I am a wildlife conservation and the environment graduate (I still call myself a graduate even though I left Writtle University College in May 2017) and I grew up in Ipswich. I am passionate about wildlife and especially the wildlife of urban areas! One of my earliest memories of wildlife is of seeing a family of hedgehogs in my garden and this is one of the many memories of wildlife that have been scattered through my childhood that sparked my love of wildlife as an adult. I was eager to be involved in the hedgehog work in Ipswich because I want to know more about this elusive species that seemed to be common in my childhood yet so infrequent the older I get.
I have volunteered with a number of conservation groups in Ipswich including Suffolk Wildlife Trust and this has led me to my current job as a Casual Wildlife and Education Ranger with Ipswich Borough Council. As part of my job I do a lot of practical habitat management but I really wanted to get stuck into some survey work and I am so excited to be involved with the hedgehog project in Ipswich and learn so much more about the habits of these sweet, snuffly little animals that sneak into our gardens and our hearts! I confess that I am by far an expert with hedgehogs but I am so keen to learn and explore more about these cute little animals and hope that the work I do in the following months will make a difference to the future hedgehogs of Ipswich.”
Chloe:
“I remember the first time I saw a hedgehog: it was in my garden when I was about eight years old. Thinking back, it was probably the closest I had ever been to a wild animal at the time, and I was struck by its confidence – it was probably after the cat’s food! Hedgehogs are a species that hold a special place in the heart of the British public, and I am excited to have the opportunity to take part in conservation research that could help prevent the decline of such a fascinating species.
After graduating in Bioveterinary Science from the University of Liverpool last year, I am so grateful to have the chance to work with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust on such an interesting project, developing skills that will definitely help me in my future career in conservation research!”
