Lizzie got the bug for wildlife education on a placement at Jersey Zoo during her degree in conservation biology. She began volunteering with SWT in 2017, then became an intern, seasonal worker and finally a full-time employee.

7.30

I leave for Dorking, where I’m doing an assembly at a primary school as part of our action for insects project. I used to hate public speaking, but now I absolutely love talking to people about wildlife.

8.15pm

I tell a story about how insects and invertebrates improve the soil, pollinate plants and control pests – as well as being food for hedgehogs and frogs. The children are bursting to tell me about all the creatures they have spotted.

9am 

Time for a walk around the school grounds with a teacher and members of the school council. We discuss how they could help wildlife by creating a pond and planting a wildflower patch and hedgerow. I’ll come back in a few months to see how they’re getting on.

10am

I arrive at Nower Wood and join my colleague Josie to prepare for this afternoon’s Explorers at Home session. SWT’s free online nature club for children ran weekly during lockdown and is now every month.

1.30pm

After lunch we finalise our ‘odd one out’ quiz (theme: camouflage), challenge (listen to the dawn chorus) and sound of the week (song of the chiffchaff).

3.45pm

We log in and wait for the children to arrive at 4.00.

4.45

Another exhilarating session with about 100 children signed up. They sent in some wonderful photos and artwork – and we got lots of great questions in the online chat. It was particularly brilliant to hear that one family had been inspired to join their local toad patrol.

6.00

After a debrief with Josie, I set off for Folly Wildlife Rescue in Tunbridge Wells, where I volunteer. I’m collecting a rescued hedgehog for an evening talk with a scout group. They love seeing the little hog nestling in its towel.

8.00

It’s been a jam-packed day, but that’s why I love what I do. I just want to inspire people to make a difference for wildlife, even if it’s the smallest thing.