With support from QEST, the additional skill of hedgelaying allowed Pete to consolidate his countryside skills portfolio, and less than 18 months after he completed his training he began working for the Shropshire Wildlife Trust. He ran multiple practical conservation projects, managed a number of nature reserves and in 2006 brought together a volunteer group, The Wrekin Forest Volunteers, which is still going strong today.
In 2012 Pete was approached to take on two river restoration projects, and he now manages a Rivers Team of seven staff members. Their projects are wide ranging and include coracle building, green engineering, nature based solutions such as reedbed water treatment, pond restoration and creation, natural flood management, tree and woodland planting and hedgelaying. The role allows him to mentor younger staff, create student placement opportunities, support local craftspeople and countryside management contractors.
