I have always been wild about natural history… in fact for as long as I can remember it has been part of my life.
Even though I grew up in SE London, I was always watching the birds that visited our garden or enjoying the wildlife in Greenwich Park.. one of my favourite haunts.
My interest continued, through university where I did my teaching degree. I even had bird feeders outside my student digs in the centre of Derby! I spent time outside whenever I could, watching water voles in the local river and photographing in the parks. My teaching degree, specialising in Environmental Education, gave me my first chance to share my love of the natural world with young people.
‘If you love what you do, you will never work again….’ I am very lucky to now find myself in a position where my work is all involved with what I love; working with wildlife and sharing my passion and enthusiasm with all ages.
I have been a primary teacher for over 30 years and now teach part-time in a large Nuneaton Junior school, where I am in charge of learning outside of the classroom and the developments of our school grounds. I am passionate about enthusing young people about the natural world.
My other consultancy work is all wildlife-based and takes me to all sorts of wildlife locations. The wildlife in my own garden and at Yew View, a private site I manage for wildlife, is still fundamental to my passions and forms a big part of my work.
A true advocate for being out in the great British countryside, I am delighted to be one of the Ordnance Survey #GetOutside Ambassadors this year!
I also film lots of wildlife with all different sorts of cameras and this work has also led me to regularly feature on BBC Springwatch, Autumnwatch, Countryfile, Midlands Today and others.
I hope that I can use my experience and knowledge to encourage parents and children to engage with the wonderful British wildlife that is right on our doorsteps. From live wildlife cameras, to fun wildlife challenges, I hope to help everyone discover the joys of our natural world.
Kate MacRae (WildlifeKate)
