Overview

Planning a career in conservation? Birdfair is the UK’s biggest celebration of nature: a three-day extravaganza held in the beautiful surroundings of Rutland Water Nature Reserve.

Often all the ‘Glastonbury of birding’ for the first time the event includes a day of conservation careers sessions, which aim to provide people who are just getting started in the world of wildlife and conservation with advice and inspiration.

You’ll be able to chat to young environmentalists in a variety of roles, and have a chance to polish your CV with expert advice. from Dr Nick Askew from Conservation Careers! You can also hear how a range of passionate conservationists, including broadcasters Mike Dilger and Mary Colwell, got started.

Session Outlines
  • 10:00 am – 11:20 am Birdfair Careers Clinic – Mini careers talks | If you’re choosing a career path, these short talks aim to give you a flavour of what it’s like working…
  • 1:00 pm – 1:50 pm Birdfair Careers Clinic – Campaigning workshop by Matt Williams | Hello world-changer. This session will give you top tips and handy hints to get your own campaign started and tackle…
  • 2:00 pm – 3:20 pm Birdfair Careers Clinic – Session 1 | Find out what it’s like working in different types of conservation organisations. Bring along your questions and meet people working. Dr Nick Askew from Conservation Careers will available for 1:1 advice during the session.
  • 3:30 pm – 4:20 pm Birdfair Careers Clinic – Session 2 | Find out what it’s like working in different types of conservation organisations. Bring along your questions and meet people working…
  • 4:30 pm – 5:15 pm Birdfair Careers Clinic – CV workshop with Dr Nick Askew from Conservation Careers | Ready to launch your career in the world of conservation or looking to take the next step? During the session, you’ll get an overview of how to craft a CV for conservation jobs with Dr Nick Askew from Conservation Careers. There will then be a breakout session where our helpful and friendly team from a range of organisations involved with Birdfair will give you advice on how to polish your CV to catch the eye of a potential employer. Please bring along your CV for feedback.
Other Birdfair 2019 highlights include the Bird Photographer of the Year Awards with Chris Packham; discussions on climate change and wildlife decline with experts and enthusiasts including Deborah Meaden, Isabella Tree, Simon King and Tony Juniper; and wildlife watching cruises on Rutland Water. Shop for nature watching gear, tours and other wildlife-themed treats. And this year you can also get top tips to kickstart your conservation career from experts in a variety of wildlife-related jobs.
This year funds raised from the Birdfair ticket sales and auction will support a vital new BirdLife International project, “Conserving Cambodia’s Big Five”. This project will secure protection for Western Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary and its Critically Endangered birds, including ibises and vultures. Birdfair runs from Friday 16 to Sunday 19 August: buy your tickets now at birdfair.org.uk