Barn Owl - Photo: Russell Savory
Our culture
Our Culture
“We are people-driven, collaborative and thriving. Our workforce is sustained by a strong, values-based culture, where authenticity, inclusivity, safety and positive engagement enable us to work together achieve our strategic objectives.”
We are the county’s leading conservation charity, committed to protecting wildlife and inspiring a lifelong love of nature. Our climate is in crisis and our species face extinction. The natural world needs our help. Together we can protect the future. Join us.
Our culture is deeply rooted in our mission to protect wildlife and inspire a lifelong love of nature, underpinned by our values:
We pride ourselves on having passionate staff and volunteers who are dedicated to conserving and protecting the natural environment for wildlife and the people of Essex. We foster an inclusive and wellbeing focussed work environment where staff can thrive and work collaboratively towards achieving our vision of “a county rich in wildlife with people connected to nature”. Our relaxed and professional work environment is conducive to creativity and innovation, and staff are encouraged to proactively share their ideas and work together to achieve our strategic aims and objectives. Overall, our culture is one that values its people and the planet we are working to protect.
Diversity & Inclusion
We encourage a culture of inclusivity, where everyone is welcome to join and contribute. We believe that everyone is needed for us to restore the natural world, and that nature is for everyone. We’re Wild about Inclusion, and are working towards improving our diversity through staff networks and collaboration with the 46 Wildlife Trust’s nationally.
Wellbeing & Development
We recognise the importance of a positive work culture that provides staff with the support they need to succeed. This includes opportunities for professional development, flexible work arrangements and a supportive management team. We are committed to fostering a culture of psychological safety, and supporting the 4 pillars of wellbeing.
Here is what some of our people have to say about their roles:
Darren Tansley - Wilder Rivers and Protected Species Manager
From the time I went to the EWT HQ at Fingringhoe Wick to see if they had any jobs, to the point where I became a Wildlife Trust employee, took 9 years. First I had to go back to college to get a degree, second I had to get as much conservation experience as possible and third I had to be successful at interview. It took three attempts but finally my passion for water vole conservation got me through the door. Since then I’ve not only been involved with bringing beavers back to Essex for the first time in 700 years, but I’ve had the opportunity to lead the UK Water Vole Steering Group and champion the species that originally got me interested in mammal ecology.
Working for the Wildlife Trust has been an education in itself. You learn so many skills from TV appearances to identifying animal droppings. The latter may not be everyone’s idea of a good day out but essential skills like this open up the ability to read the landscape.
We work with a talented and wide-ranging team of staff both in the office and out in the field. No day is the same as the next. But the most important thing is a passion to try to make things better for wildlife. When someone writes to me to say they have seen their first otter signs after going on one of my training days, it is a delight. That person now wants to look after the river because they understand it is home to species that will not survive if we accept rubbish and pollution as a part of everyday life. I count myself lucky to feel good about going to work on a Monday morning. That might be the day I bring a species back to a river where they haven’t been seen for decades.
Lottie Hall - Senior Graphic Designer
I’ve always had an interest in wildlife and the environment around me, so getting the opportunity to use my design skills to help Essex Wildlife Trust showcase the great conservation work that they do was a dream come true.
Highlights of the job so far have been getting to help roll out the new Essex Wildlife Trust brand, working on new signage for their Nature Discovery Centres and Parks, and getting creative freedom on their member's magazine each quarter. I’ve also been able to take part in various other nature-related activities with the communications team. Two of my favourite experiences with the team have been getting to plant new hedgerows to help hazel dormice, spotting glow worms and getting to pet a rhino. The rhino encounter came about because Colchester Zoo is looking to work with Essex Wildlife Trust more and more in the near future.
In my role I get to work with staff from all over the Trust and can say that all of them are wonderfully supportive of each other. They will always try to help you to solve a problem, even if its not technically within their job remit. I started my role during lockdown, so having this support around me was brilliant. I’ve also been able to further my own design knowledge through specific training and by linking up with other design colleagues across the Wildlife Trust movement.
Hands down, this is my favourite role in my career so far!