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A snapshot of Shropshire

Rune, a master’s student in palaeontology at the University of Birmingham, reflects on their three-month placement with Shropshire Wildlife Trust. From exploring community engagement and supporting local outreach, to delivering hands-on workshops with young people, Rune shares how this experience deepened their passion for connecting people with nature—and highlights the importance of community at the heart of conservation.
Snowdrops

From winter beginnings...

I've been busy these last three months on placement with the Trust here in Shrewsbury, and it's been one of the best and most fulfilling experiences I've had. But, who am I actually?

Well, my name is Rune and I'm currently doing a masters at the University of Birmingham. My 'day job' as such is palaeontology, and my current focus is Middle Jurassic Mammals from the Isle of Skye; but I've always had a passion for the wildlife of the here and now too. Growing up in the countryside with a vet and an ecologist for parents, it's no wonder I spent my weekends getting covered in mud (and probably ingesting a bit too much soil) as we explored the fields and moors. Conservation was always at the forefront of my mind, and even after steering my path towards fossils, I've remained keyed in to modern nature. 

I'm also incredibly keen on scientific communication and engaging people and their communities with natural sciences. I run a little Instagram page and blog on the subject, and it's something I enjoy massively as a creative outlet, but also my way to stand up for what I believe in and share the joy of the outside with the world. That's why, when given the option to undertake a placement alongside my degree, I jumped at the chance to work with Shropshire Wildlife Trust. I'd interacted with them before - as a participant on the Environmental Leadership Programme - but this was a chance to get in on the action. During my time here I've focused on community engagement, which has really broken down into three main avenues.

I was keen to look at the wider outreach SWT is involved in. This included investigating what communities SWT engages with and how, where gaps are and how we might breach them, as well as how we can use sites to their fullest potential for the community around them. For me, this involved a lot of brainstorming and action on social media pages, and also the SWT members magazine. It also involved a lot of meeting up with local people in their communities, and apart from being incredible getting to know everyone, I now say 'Shrewsbury' like a local! 

The second is the branches. Since 2024, we have not had an active branch in Shrewsbury, but there is interest in reviving it. However, SWT certainly isn't the only green group in Shrewsbury, let alone community group! Also in Shrewsbury is our own offices and HQ, The Cut Visitor Centre and it's conference spaces and community gardens, so there's so much potential for collaboration and support. This means research! The bread and butter of any successful project. I've been kept busy approaching local community groups, visitor centre volunteers, our other branches, along with some of the wider community. So keep an eye out! Hopefully you'll see some new events coming your way soon. 

Last but not least, I had the opportunity to join the Education team in working with young people - something I find myself becoming increasingly passionate about. I helped lead and deliver two types of workshop, my home turf of 'Rocks and Fossils' and then a 'Beaver spotlight'. I've worked a lot with Scouting age kids before, so the younger primary school children I was leading was a new and exciting challenge. It was amazing to introduce kids to the things I'm so passionate about and the see the excitement reflected back at me. I still don't think my ears have recovered from my reveal of a geodic ammonite... In all seriousness, it's an amazing feeling to be able to show a next generation the beauty and wonder of natural spaces. With the current climate crisis, its more important than ever to me to help younger people bond with and experience nature and wildspaces; so they too can recognise how vital they are to us all.

ORB

To spring blooms

It's been bittersweer reflecting on my time here, only because I almost never wanted it to end. It's nearly not felt like work, it's something I've been loving doing and enjoyed putting energy into. Shrewsbury and Shropshire has become near and dear to my heart in this short time, and I've treasured the ability to explore it to it's fullest. The old cobbled pedestrian streets, the independent cafes and businesses, the winding river, the gardens and the view of the Abbey from my desk; it's all made me feel at home. I didn't realise how having access to green spaces as an integrated part of my work day was so important until now, it seems this placement has been nothing but learning. But overall, it seems fitting to me that the greatest takeaway from this placement is the community. From all the incredible people putting their spare time into volunteering into all sorts of local events and groups, to the vibrant group of people working in the SWT offices, it's been the people that have made this experience what it was. It's been an honour and a joy to be a part of this brilliant organisation the past few months, I know this experience will take me far and I can't wait to see where I land next.

A note from Shropshire Wildlife Trust

Rune joined us as part of a short work experience trial, helping us explore how we might shape future opportunities for young people interested in wildlife and conservation. While we don’t currently offer a full structured placement programme, this experience has been a valuable way for us to pilot new ways of working and learning together.

We’re excited about what’s possible and are actively developing ideas for future opportunities—so watch our space!

Keep your eyes peeled for updates on how you can get involved.

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