New Eco-town countryside ranger will protect and enhance local habitats

Jamie Cummins, new Eco-town Countryside Ranger

Meet Jamie Cummins the new Eco-town countryside ranger who will ensure that the local habitats and wildlife are protected and enhanced – as well as working with the community on conservation projects.

His work is being paid for by Eco-town funding and he will work on projects which were identified by the Biodiversity Policy Advisory Group. These projects are in the Eco-town policy zone (which includes Whitehill Bordon and Lindford).

His main focus is to work on projects managed by the Deadwater Valley Trust.

Jamie’s other roles will be to promote the importance of biodiversity to the public, expand educational opportunities to schools and liaise with the main landowners to help with biodiversity projects – for example on MoD land.

He will work with schoolchildren, volunteers and visitors to ensure that the community helps protect the environment – while also enjoying it.

Jamie, who lives in Petersfield, has recently graduated with a degree in Wildlife and Conservation Management from Sparsholt College , with his final thesis on Longmoor Inclosure. His previous career was in mechanical engineering.

He has three years’ experience volunteering with different conservation groups including the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust where he worked on heathland conservation and cattle management tasks.

He has been part of the South Downs Volunteer Ranger Service and he has led other volunteers on woodland and chalk grassland restoration tasks and pond surveys.

As well as all this he has also worked with rangers at Staunton Country Park on conservation tasks including scrub bashing, woodland management and fencing.

Jamie is also a volunteer officer for the Rotherlands Conservation Group which manages the Rotherlands Local Nature Reserve, in Petersfield, – which is owned by East Hampshire District Council and Petersfield Town Council.

As part of his work for Rotherlands he has led school and youth group visits, organised the annual family fun day and secured grants and funding for the reserve.

Jamie said: “I am really enthusiastic about the new challenges ahead, working alongside the community of Whitehill Bordon and helping them to fully appreciate the outstanding wildlife and environments on their doorstep.

“There is real potential to help build a sustainable community which has global recognition – especially with regard to living in harmony with the natural environment with all its beauty, wonders and enjoyment.

“I am looking forward to meeting school pupils and helping them to develop environmental and biodiversity projects.

“I love our beautiful Hampshire countryside, especially heath and woodlands with their diverse wildlife – particularly the birds, butterflies and the stag beetles.

“This is such an exciting opportunity and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”

Cllr Dr Bill Wain, who is the chairman of the Deadwater Valley Trust, said: “The Deadwater Valley Trust is delighted to welcome Jamie to the team and we are looking forward to his enthusiastic approach to wildlife issues in the community.

“We are extremely pleased with this successful outcome of funding from the Eco-town project.”

Cllr Andrew Joy, portfolio holder for Whitehill Bordon, said: “The need for a countryside ranger was identified by the Biodiversity Policy Advisory Group and I am delighted that we have been able to provide the funding for this important role.”