Lara

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Hello world!

I am looking for adventures where I can contribute something meaningful to the world of wildlife conservation and learn lots of new practical skills.

I was brought up by a nature-loving family and spent much of my childhood with my mother's family in Zimbabwe, mainly avoiding snakes and trying to capture Ant Lions.

Previous work/workaway experience:
- horse ranch in croatia and austria
- dairy and cattle farm in the mountains of switzerland
- DIY/home renovation/construction
- small-scale fisheries bycatch project in Cyprus
- wildlife rescue

I'm an amateur birder, currently training in bird ringing; and have owned horses, dogs, cats, chickens, and rabbits. I have recently attained an MSc in Animal Behaviour and am interested by anything that walks, runs, crawls, swims or flies.

I am adventurous, resilient, outgoing, and for the most part, house trained. Proven cures for positivity failings are: coffee, cake and/or a cat.

Interests

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent

More details about my language interests
This workawayer has indicated that they would be interested in sharing their language(s) or learning a new language. You can contact them directly to discuss this.

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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Eco Projects

Languages

Teaching

Babysitting and creative play

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Some knowledge of:  

Gardening

DIY and building projects

General Maintenance

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Life at a Farmstay

Hospitality/Tourism

Charity Work

Art Projects

Helping with Computers/ Internet

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Able to teach about:  

Helping around the house

Animal Care

More details about your skills

- I am confident with animals with experience through personal ownership (everything from rabbits to horses), and volunteering with RSPCA, dog rescue centres, and working at a professional polo yard. I currently work as a trainee bird ringer for the British Trust for Ornithology which requires a significant level of manual dexterity, attention to detail, and accurate note taking.

- my research project for my MSc in Animal Behaviour focussed on behavioural observations and survival rates of herring gull chicks. I have a strong aptitude for critical reasoning and analysis, with solid communication, organizational and time management skills.

- I co-operatively founded and ran a Martial Arts business where I coached children and adults, undertook all general admin skills, and promoted the club through various social media platforms.

- strong track record in customer service from work in optical healthcare and private fitness industry.

- Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards way back when, and have since exercised my map reading, compass using, and camping skills at regular intervals (albeit in the soft English countryside!)

- I'm relatively good with power tools. Amazing nail-from-wood remover and carrier of heavy things.

Age

32

What else ...

I practiced Korean Karate for ten years and then went on to study Brazilian Ju-Jitsu. Sadly lockdown has prohibited practice in the UK for now, but I would love to train/learn from any host or fellow workawayer should the opportunity arise!

Reading takes up a lot of my spare time - I love fantasy mainly (think Terry Pratchett), but also books about the natural world, politics, philosophy, etc. Stories of other people's adventures have inspired me to start creating my own.

I also love horseback riding. I used to own my own horses and played a bit of polo here in the UK, though now I exercise horses for others semi-regularly to fit around work. Any excuse to mount up or simply care for horses gratefully received.

I should mention that creepy crawlies don't bother me in the slightest, and I am luckily not the sort of person to be worried about broken nails!

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  None

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  Special dietary requirements
  None