INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2025
For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.

Jasmin Atkinson joined the Great Fen as a Reserves Officer in November 2023. Access to nature is a right she truly believes everyone deserves, and she’s proud that the role she plays here and with other wildlife monitoring projects, empowers her to share the value and wonder of nature with so many.

Why is nature so important to you?

Throughout history, there has been an intrinsic link connecting people to nature. To quote the rural poet John Clare, “All nature has a feeling: woods, fields, brooks Are life eternal: and in silence they speak happiness beyond the reach of books.”

My passion for wildlife and being outdoors started from an early age; from watching the starlings in my mum’s garden to trying to identify every butterfly feeding on the buddleia. Being outside makes me feel a sense of freedom and gives me the ability to disconnect from the mundane. There is a strong link between nature and wellbeing for me. Growing up on the edge of the fens, I was able to access and explore this wild and untameable landscape, with skies that seem to go on forever. I wish everyone were able to do the same.

How did you move into a career in conservation?

I studied Wildlife Conservation at University, with the aspiration of working in the conservation sector. However, it was not as easy as I had thought – I was not advised that gaining practical experience is vital when looking for a role in practical conservation.

I spent 10 years in retail, hoping to get volunteering experience at the same time and eventually I did with the Ranger team at National Trust Calke Abbey. This then led on to an opportunity to apply for an Assistant Warden Internship at RSPB Middleton Lakes which was one of the best experiences; I made so many connections and gained the skills I needed to apply for a full-time role.

My first full-time job in conservation was as an Assistant Ranger and then Ranger, managing chalk grassland and ancient woodland at National Trust Ashridge Estate. My main goal was always to work in the Cambridgeshire Fens – it is where my heart has always been. I moved on to a role as Ranger at Flag Fen before the opportunity came up to apply for my current role on The Great Fen. I was greeted to my interview by hundreds of singing Skylarks – I will never forget the feeling when I was offered the role!

Why did you want to work with the Wildlife Trust in the Great Fen?

The Peatland Progress project sounded so exciting to be a part of. It aims to restore the land between Holme Fen and Woodwalton Fen National Nature Reserves, creating a corridor between them, and eventually resulting in a ‘living landscape’ for wildlife and local communities to thrive. To be a part of this movement, protecting rare peatland landscape and unique wildlife, opening access to nature for more people, was an opportunity I couldn’t miss. Supporting wildlife is vital for maintaining the natural balance of our environment, ensuring a healthy and stable future for generations to come.

What’s your favourite part of the job?

This is a very hard question to answer! I absolutely love every aspect of my role; every day is so varied. One day I can be in the tractor and the next, carrying out bird surveys. I also enjoy managing the grazing on The Great Fen and interacting with local graziers – a lot can be learned from them. And of course, I love the opportunity to capture the wonderful wildlife around me on camera and share it with those who can’t be here in person.

Have you encountered any challenges being a woman in this role?

The main challenges I have found as a woman working in conservation is that there are still a small number of practical trainers who see women as unable to use machinery. I was told that I would never be able to even start a chainsaw. Well, I proved them wrong!

What advice would you give to other women and girls interested in a career in conservation?

The most important advice is to never let anyone tell you that you are not capable and cannot achieve what you want to pursue. Also, make as many connections as you can – get those volunteer hours in and take up every opportunity to learn and gain experience.

Are there any female conservation heroes who inspired you?

My manager during my internship with the RSPB is my hero. She saw the potential in me and encouraged me to pursue my ambitions. I really admire her passion and drive! She has an absolute wealth of knowledge I could (and still do) draw from and taught me so much about birds and wetland conservation.

Where can people find out more about the work you’re doing?

I’ve been sharing my wild life in the Cambridgeshire Fens on Instagram, so if you’d like to see why this area is so special, to see the beautiful birds I meet and you’re keen on lots of marvellous moth spam, find me @jaskinson.