Thinking of a career in conservation?

Starting a career in conservation is a daunting task – where should I start? What qualifications do I need? What is a career in this field like? However it is an incredibly rewarding career to be in and so hopefully we can help you feel more at ease about starting out. Here we answer some important questions about conservation careers to help you feel ready to get started!

 

What degree should I study to get into conservation?

A degree is a brilliant way to start your career journey as you can develop writing skills while also getting a great understanding of ecological theory. There are lots of degrees which could be suitable for progressing conservation, though their similar names can make them confusing!  Here we explain what some of them cover.

• Zoology – Covers animal biology, behaviour, ecology, and conservation.
• Wildlife Conservation – Focuses on practical conservation work, species management, and habitat protection.
• Ecology – Explores ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental management.
• Biological Sciences/Biology – Broader degrees that can be tailored with conservation-related modules.
• Environmental Science – Includes conservation alongside climate science, sustainability, and pollution management.
• Animal Science – Focuses more on animal health, behaviour, and physiology, often linked to domestic or farmed animals but with conservation applications

 

 

Just remember that there is no one right path into this field and this best thing you can do is find something you’re really passionate about and enjoy doing! It can be worth looking into individual modules if there are specific areas you would like to cover.

It is also worth noting that you do not necessarily need a degree to enter this field. Volunteering is a brilliant way to build up experience and practice survey skills and it is definitely worth looking into volunteering opportunities near you whether you opt for university or not.

 

Is it okay to specialize in a specific field like Marine Biology before I go to university?

If you are lucky enough to find your passion before university, absolutely! But don’t rush into specialising if you’re not ready. If you start off with a more broad degree then you allow yourself more time to explore different areas of science which you may not realise you enjoy until you learn about them!

Again, volunteering or experiences such as our expeditions are brilliant ways to determine what areas of conservation you are most interested in!

 

 

I want to get into conservation, but I don’t know where to start, is there a specific path I should take?

Definitely not! There is no “right” way to get into this field and you will probably find that almost everyone you talk to has a different story. The most important thing you can do is to get as much experience as possible. That might mean going to university and getting a relevant degree, but if university is not for you, or you’ve already graduated and are looking for a change of careers then there are so many other options for you. Start by contacting local organisations such as wildlife trusts and national parks and asking about jobs or volunteering opportunities. If you want to get involved with specific animals or areas of research, then do some digging and find out who is doing work on that, whether it’s academics or nature trusts. Get in touch and ask how you can help. Often, you’ll need to contact a specific group which relates to your interests; for example if you want to do more work with birds then reach out to a local RSPB reserve or find details of any local ringing groups if you want to work towards a ringing license. If you have an interest in diving, then you should investigate local dive clubs and work towards a dive qualification.

It’s almost important to consider what you mean by ‘working in conservation’ as there are hundreds of different jobs roles needed in order for any conservation organisation to exist. At Opwall we often talk about field science roles, because that’s what we specialise in, but you could get involved with education, photography, environmental policy, veterinary medicine or become a ranger on a nature reserve. Finally, every company needs people to work in the finance team and other administrative roles and so if that’s where your skills are then find an organisation whose values match yours and ask about a job!

 

 

 

How should I start looking for funding or grants to pay for fee-charging opportunities in Conservation?

Fee-charging opportunities can often be a fantastic way to gain some more experience in conservation and gain valuable skills. There are many different places to find funding and so it can seem like a daunting task, but it’s certainly achievable. We recommend you start looking for charitable organisations close to home, this could be local branches of national organisations, such as the Rotary Club or Lions International. Then start looking for independent organisations that operate near you, whether these are trusts set up to help people from specifically your area get a head start in their career, or local organisations with similar interests (i.e. a natural history or zoology society). It’s always good start with local organisations as the pool of people applying for the same funding is smaller, meaning you’re more likely to be successful. We also recommend taking a ‘scatter-gun’ approach to grants and apply for lots of different grants which give smaller amounts of money, rather than a couple which offer a larger sum.

The next step is to do some research into national organisations or grant giving trusts which you fit the criteria for. This is going to take some time as there are lots out there and the internet is a big place. To make life a bit easier, start by using some grant finding websites such as these:

• The Charity Commission – A useful resource for finding up-to-date information on charities and trusts.
• Uni Grants – A compilation of grants available to university students by location and subject choice.
• Turn2Us – A grant search engine.

 

 

You should also consider reaching out to companies and asking for sponsorship, meaning they help with your fundraising efforts by either donating a lump sum or providing a bit of kit for your expedition or helping you organise any other fundraising events you may be planning, if you are hosting any. This could be by asking for specific products or even a venue for your fundraising events. There are all sorts of benefits you can accrue from a company sponsorship and as many companies want to get involved in environmental causes these days, you are perfect to be invested in. It makes sense to start off by looking for companies who clearly have environmental interests, such as Patagonia, Wild and Green People. However, it’s also important to reach out to other companies that you might not consider as “environmental” organisations because even if their product is not linked to conservation, the company itself may hold strong pro-environment ethics!

Finally, you can consider Crowdfunding and hosting fundraising events to try and raise. Crowdfunding is an effective way to fundraise, as it involves receiving small donations from a large number of people. It can expand your reach beyond your traditional circle of friends and family and provide access to a more diverse and extensive group of supporters. Fundraising events are just exactly what you imagine they are, hosting a bake sale, pub quiz or a similar event and using the profits to fund your trip.

Hopefully this has given you some inspiration into how to gather funds for whatever opportunities you are thinking of!

 

 

What books/reading do you recommend to learn more about Conservation and Ecology?

When it comes to furthering your knowledge, there are loads of really great books out there, and it really would depend on what your interests are. Take a trip to your local bookshops and browse through the natural history section to see what looks interesting to you!

We have added below a few of our favourites to give you a headstart:

• Wilding: The Return of Nature to a British Farm – Isabella Tree
• The Economy of Nature – Robert E. Ricklefs
• The Forgotten Naturalist: Alfred Russel Wallace (2001) – John van Wyhe
• A life on our Planet – David Attenborough
• Rewilding the Sea – Charles Clover
• The Lost Rainforests of Britain – Guy Shrubsole

 

 

As well as books, reading papers and scientific articles about topics you’re interested in will also help expand your knowledge. Why not try typing a topic that interests you into Google Scholar and having a read through the abstracts of a few of the papers that pop up. Research Gate is also a great site to read papers free without having to subscribe to the journal! You can also see all papers published from Opwall data on the Opwall research library on our website – https://www.opwall.com/research-library/.

You could consider subscribing or purchasing magazines like National Geographic, or New Scientist. Or if you’re not a huge fan of reading, you can now find loads of audiobooks and podcasts which will still give you a great insight into conservation and ecology.

 

Hope this helps, and good luck on your journey into conservation!

 

 

Title photo by Callum Evans