Description

I would like be considered for roles within the community conservation, Countryside management, Environmental education & project management arenas as I feel I have the required and desirable skills to help in the conservation sector.
I have a broad range of experience in both the public and private sector, as well as working for NGO’S and the Welsh government. I would be the perfect person to lead and support individuals and communities in their journey towards self sufficiency, and to improving and enhancing their environment.
I have a passion for nature; promoting, encouraging and expanding a greater learning, awareness and involvement with wildlife and greenspaces. I am also taking part in training, as and when courses occur, to improve my working knowledge on a plethora of conservation issues, along with continued reading of environmental issues and best practice.
Throughout my life, I have volunteered, worked in or engaged people with nature; volunteering for the Radnorshire Wildlife Trust running ‘Gilfach Discovery Centre’ and ‘Discovery trails’ for children, Brecknock WT, West Wales WT, Yorkshire WT & recently First Ecology, the Somerset & Avon WT, and Ashfield community garden schemes, as well as forest schools and community projects, which have furthered my continued development. I have a passion for environmental education.
I have also worked as an Assistant Microbiologist for the ‘Environment Agency’, lone working for ‘Ecology Services’ reptile conservation, and relocation including plant ID, creation of spacial analysis & conducting bat surveys and recently as an ecological consultant for Natural Resources Wales surveying forests.
I was one of the founding members of, and Chairman of Natural Mid Wales, engaging the community in wildlife tourism, informing visitors and tourism operators in Mid Wales, thus demonstrating my ability to set up ongoing community participation beyond the life of any project.
Expeditions in the Canary Islands (habitat identification) and the Coral Triangle (Fish & Coral ID & PADI Rescue Diver) with Blue Ventures proved interesting and informative, adding an exciting dimension to my breadth of knowledge. I instigated an initiative of a weekly litter pick through good modelling and by educating people on the detrimental impacts of litter. I also helped research a Waste to Energy incinerator for the very small island of Atauro which will benefit the local community by providing them with a source of power as well as being more environmentally friendly.
Every problem is an opportunity; from this ethos I utilise my creativity to identify new opportunities, whether for profit, efficiency, visitor numbers or for community engagement.
I have no problem conducting myself at events, meetings, or on a one to one level with the public, and have previous experience in doing so’,for the Welsh government, in my role as trade director for TPMW, and would relish Working with key volunteers; helping them develop and further their own initiatives.
I have most recently worked tree felling, surveying, grounds maintenance, woodland management plans, risk assessments.
My experience in environmental education is varied; from hedge planting, fencing, pond dipping, freshwater habitat monitoring, beach cleanups, as well as species ID, educating and inspiring, from mountain tops to >30 meters. I love nature and want to help you nurture and protect it.
From my 6 years working as manager at ‘Erwood Station Craft Centre’, where the customer comes first, and also organising over 200 artists and craft festivals, with live music and local ales, I have a strong focus on customer care, And feel the network of indenpendent community groups would benefit from my advice and support.
From managing £30,000 grant funded projects, including raising funds to hit targets, with time constraints and both private and public sector engagement, resolving any issues whether with regards to administrative / financial matters, organising and supervising consultants, and producing health and safety risk assessments, have been paramount to my success as a business man. My knowledge of ICT is sound. I feel competent in fulfilling the role.
Being self employed for much of my life, also being chair and vice chair of various organisations, I would have no problem acting as a single point of contact, and would effectively build and manage strong relationships. I am self-motivated, resilient and capable of working alone or in a team. I am energetic and have excellent people skills.
I have no problem diversifying. My management skills ensure I am able to deal calmly and constructively with potentially challenging situations.
Communicating easily with all age groups as well as special interest groups, from local authority landowners to MPs, school children to OAPs, does not phase me.
My passion and enthusiasm for working with volunteers and involving communities can be shown through the work accomplished by the, ‘Friends or Erwood Station’ (after initiating a work programme on carriage restoration, volunteers nominated a team leader, who developed and furthered his own ideas) and the non profit events such as, ‘Llanded Festival’ or the ‘Summer Craft Festival’, involving stall holders, musicians, artists and also the local community and national groups, engaging over 100 volunteers from all age groups, either practically, in administration, or marketing.
Monitoring, evaluating and reporting events have been an integral part of my development in order to improve and analyse projects.
I would be interested in developing a variety of practical conservation projects, and can draw on my previous experience to this end. Previously I have worked with Devon Youth service, and believe that engaging the older generation with the young adults of today is important.
I enjoy most sports; snowboarding, swimming, scuba diving, walking and cycling. Environmental protection, practical conservation and interest in humanitarian efforts are in the forefront of my psyche.
I am outgoing, friendly and resourceful.
I look forward to helping your organisation set up, maintain and develop new and exciting conservation project. I wish to engage the public by creating a positive environment to care about their heritage.
I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

Yours sincerely,
Michael Robert Cunningham B.Sc. (Hons)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelrcunningham
Mob: 07791687573 E-mail: mike_cunningham_r@yahoo.co.uk
Address : 39 Park Crescent, St George, Bristol, BS5 7AY