Various nature conservation projects in Edinburgh are hugely important, with many people actively involved. This cause truly brings them together. Find out more at edinburghname.
Naturally, this phenomenon is fostered by the city’s existing organisations and communities, who strive to spread awareness about the importance and value of ecology. Through numerous events and campaigns, their representatives highlight how essential it is to dedicate even a little time to preserving nature. After all, we are all an inseparable part of it, and our quality of life is very closely linked to its well-being.
The People Essential for Full-Scale Nature Conservation
However, everything mentioned above would be hard to imagine without volunteers. These individuals, having chosen a rather challenging path, dedicate themselves to protecting the environment. The specific focus of their work can vary; some concentrate on preserving rare plant species, others aim to plant as many new trees as possible to improve air quality. But there are also those who literally live and breathe animal conservation, recognising their particular vulnerability.
Elspeth is precisely one such volunteer. She works at Edinburgh Zoo and notes that such activity has profoundly impacted her life, perceptions, and worldview.
More About Elspeth’s Role
More specifically, Elspeth is a public relations volunteer. In other words, her duties include direct communication with visitors to Edinburgh Zoo. Elspeth also shares additional information regarding animal habits, behaviour, and, crucially, what is needed for their conservation. This leads Elspeth to describe herself as a “mobile information point” for every zoo visitor.
Unique Foundations for a Volunteer Career
When talking about Elspeth, it’s worth noting that her journey into volunteering began in a rather interesting way. She started volunteering when her daughter was still at school. She would bring her little one to Edinburgh Zoo and, in time, began to consider joining the volunteer programme herself.
As a result, a full-fledged career unexpectedly unfolded for Elspeth. She points out that while some volunteer functions have changed over the years, their chief task and benefits remain constant.
A Poignant Nigerian Experience
Elspeth also shares that the field of nature conservation has always captivated her, occasionally leading her to ponder self-realisation in this area. Furthermore, she’s had a genuine love for animals since an early age. Even when her family lived in Nigeria for a period, geckos and lizards shared their home. That time also brought Elspeth a stark realisation of just how vulnerable and defenceless animals are, as she almost daily witnessed Nigerians trading in wild animal meat.
All of this left a vivid mark on her worldview and perceptions. It’s no surprise then that at the first opportunity, she eagerly began collaborating with The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. This allowed her to make a personal contribution to the conservation and protection of specific species.
Self-Realisation, Despite Retirement Age
Another advantage of volunteer work, in Elspeth’s view, is the wealth of opportunities it provides. For instance, she’s been retired for quite some time. Yet, this doesn’t hinder her from pursuing her passion. As a bonus, she gets to meet new people, make friends, and constantly learn something new. This accumulates valuable experience and knowledge, which she later enjoys applying in practice.
Pure Benefits of Volunteer Work
Overall, Elspeth believes that volunteering broadens one’s horizons. It helps people look forward with more courage and be much happier. Of course, it also improves emotional well-being and boosts self-esteem. New knowledge combined with interacting with many people fosters development and harmony. Spending a lot of time outdoors also has a wonderful effect on health. So, this kind of work truly offers nothing but positives.
Thus, Elspeth’s story is a true example of how it’s never too late to change something in your life. The main thing is to always remember that a beloved activity is the best remedy for gloom and melancholy. You simply won’t have time for such nonsense.
Being in your element, experiencing vibrant life events, and constantly moving forward can certainly make everyday life much more varied. However, it’s hard to disagree that the role of a volunteer can only bring immense satisfaction to someone who genuinely loves this kind of work. But in Elspeth’s case, it seems as though she was born for it. She isn’t even daunted by the colossal amount of information she needs to process to later share with visitors. While many people aren’t ready to dive headfirst into extensive and highly detailed information, Elspeth herself relishes the process of continuous learning. And the result is that her work brings her happiness. Isn’t that one of the most important successes in anyone’s life?