Share

Learning to drive, again!

Owen explains how the trainees are learning how to drive off-road...

Hi, my name is Owen and I am the final, new conservation trainee for this year. 

After studying wildlife conservation at university, I needed to find something local where I could work, learn and socialise. Talking with friends and family led me to apply for this traineeship, realising that it was perfect for me to gain skills and knowledge in the field; when I got the email that I'd been accepted, I was over the moon! Since joining I have looked forward to every day, spending time with the amazing trainee team and learning from Andy Bucklitch (our manager and mentor) key skills to progress my career in conservation.  

Getting to know people was very important to me; speaking to reserve officers, other members of staff at the Trust and the roving volunteers has meant for a great environment that I feel lucky to wake up and be a part of. But, of course, that is not all that we have done. 

So far during the traineeship we have completed many courses to further our skills. Recently we've completed our off-road driving and trailer towing course. I certainly didn't expect the complexity of driving off-road, especially in a 4x4 vehicle, and the features that they have to make it safer.

Three people standing between two off-roading vehicles; they're off-road with a woodland to the let and in a lumpy landscape

We had two vehicles to use. One was a part time 4x4 Hilux (pick up) supplied by the course leader that had more modern features. We used the high range 4x4 gears, which enabled us to use more traction, and the low range 4x4 gears so that we had more traction and could move at a slower pace, giving us more control. This vehicle also had a hill descent control feature, which allowed the vehicle to brake for us, had less risk of slipping than using the pedal break and it also had a rear differential lock. We also had access to a Land Rover; this is a permanent 4x4 with different features such as a low range gear, a much higher ground clearance and locking differentials. Of course, the Land Rover is what we use most of all at the Trust, so it was very beneficial to learn about the off-road features of this vehicle. We learnt how to control how we pull off, reverse backwards down a hill and avoid getting stuck in both vehicles.

A green Land Rover with a trailer attached; parked outside a barn with metal doors

Our trailer driving course made us think more about our road positioning more than we usually would, due to the path the trailer makes us take. Of course, it is not just driving with a trailer; we learnt how to safely hitch and unhitch a trailer to a vehicle and how to do manoeuvres like reversing around a corner, left and right (which was rather confusing at first as we had to get used to turning the steering wheel in the opposite direction than we usually would) and also get our timing right to avoid jack-knifing. 

I am glad to report that three of us passed both the off-roading and the trailer-towing course, with the other three trainees due to do their course shortly; I am sure they will do well. 

This brings me to the end of my first blog. I can't believe how fast the time has gone and I'm very excited to continue meeting new people and helping to provide practical conservation services around Worcestershire over the next few months. Thank you for reading and I look forward to 'seeing' you all in my next blog! 

Owen has decided to further his career in conservation with a focus on wetlands and meadows.

Related blog posts