Staff Spotlight Natalie Burdett

Volunteer Co-ordinator

Since I started in the job in January 2023, I have been busy finding out more about the fantastic role volunteers play in the Trust’s work for nature’s recovery, whether that’s with administrative support or practical nature conservation. It has been great to meet volunteers, work alongside them on conservation days, and chat about their experience over break time cups of tea.

record keeping is fit for the future. In the shorter term, I am supporting staff to develop new volunteer role profiles, and updating the volunteering information on our website.

In partnership with

I’m keen to improve the ways we match interested individuals to appropriate roles. We’re known for our volunteering opportunities on our sites and nature reserves, but there is also potential to involve local people in other ways. Goal 2 of our strategy is ‘People taking action for nature and the climate across Birmingham and the Black Country’ and this requires flexible and new approaches to volunteering.

I have also been working with colleagues to review our volunteering systems and processes, so we can respond to enquiries more efficiently, and to make sure our

I am new to the Wildlife Trust movement, but have previously worked for other environmental charities, developing varied volunteering and community engagement programmes and supporting staff who work alongside volunteers. I also recently gained a PhD in creative writing, based around the green spaces and geography of the West Midlands. I love that this role enables me to continue to spend time in sites which are so valuable in such an urban area.

Volunteers play an important part in helping us to create and protect valuable habitats for nature and connecting the wider community to nature. I’m excited to be a part of the Trust’s work, and support partnerships to achieve improvements for nature and for local communities