Could you Champion Ecological Restoration & Habitat Creation?

Our brilliant Ecological Restoration and Habitat Creation Special Interest Group (ERHC SIG) is looking for volunteers to carry out two core roles within the committee: Convenor and Secretary!

The ERHC SIG is the Institute’s largest special interest group. It has over 1100 CIEEM members on its mailing list illustrating huge support for this ground-breaking and crucial topic within our sector. The ERHC SIG is a forum for the exchange of ideas and a platform for leading inspiring events, engaging in CIEEM’s policy work, sharing resources and topical news as well as other initiatives. These will all be within the topic of restoring degraded ecosystems, reclaiming, restoring and creating new habitats for wildlife. Previously the group spearheaded successful rewilding-themed conferences, field events and webinars for the CIEEM membership and wider public to get involved with. Now, the SIG is need of new passionate volunteers to aid with its important and exciting work…

Fenland habitat at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB formed through a fantastic and successful habitat restoration effort. Photo by Drew Lyness.

What are the ERHC SIG looking for?

To be eligible to apply for either of these volunteer roles with this SIG you must (1) be a member of CIEEM and (2) be particularly passionate about ecological restoration and habitat creation. If you are working within this topic that may aid your chances of being successful when applying for the role. If you haven’t already, you should also sign up to the ERHC SIG mailing list by updating your preferences on the My CIEEM area of the website.

Each role has its own specific tasks assigned to it and you can find more details about this in our Volunteer Opportunities page by downloading the role profile. Both roles will require organisational skills, the flexibility to attend short (bi-monthly) committee meetings and basic IT skills including Microsoft Office.

What is involved in these roles?

A SIG Convenor would be responsible for leading and inspiring the SIG committee with their enthusiasm for ecological restoration and habitat creation. They will be required to delegate tasks to committee members and ensure these are kept on track. They will chair bi-monthly committee meetings and aid the SIG’s volunteers in creating and running exiting, interesting topical events as well as networking opportunities primarily for CIEEM members (but also interested members of the public too).

A SIG Secretary would ensure the committee hold regular meetings together to progress the group’s objectives. The Secretary would keep minutes of committee meetings and send these to the committee volunteers and the Secretariat where appropriate. They would also have a duty in assisting the committee with organising exciting and engaging events for CIEEM members (and interested members of the public) that celebrate successes within the topic of ecological restoration and habitat creation.

Both roles could potentially be undertaken with another volunteer, for example as co-Convenor.

What is in it for you?

The benefits of undertaking on either of the roles available with the SIG include being a champion and advocate for ecological restoration within the sector. You will be part of a huge movement to restore habitats across Britain and the island of Ireland, bringing back habitats and species once lost in our environment. You will be helping to showcase some of the very best practices of habitat creation and ecological restoration and encouraging others to deliver high quality rewilding projects. There will be opportunities to work with many friendly and knowledgeable people who specialise within this fascinating topic, and use organisational skills that are vital for these roles. Volunteering for a SIG contributes greatly to your continued professional development (CPD), and will give you opportunities to branch out and learn new skills and develop existing ones too.

Red-backed Shrike is a former breeding bird in Britain, likely to be aided by the creating of new wood pasture habitat. Photo by Drew Lyness.

How can you get involved?

Volunteers for Special Interest Group committee roles can be co-opted onto the committees at any time. Both roles available come with full inductions from the CIEEM Secretariat and lots of support from the current SIG committee members too. To apply for the role of SIG Convenor or Secretary, email us at membernetworks@cieem.net.

Thank you in advance for any enquiries and applications to take on these roles.