We are delighted to be working with the Hawk Conservancy Trust and support some of their exciting educational projects. 

Situated four miles west of Andover, Hampshire, the Hawk Conservancy Trust was formed in 2002 to take responsibility for rehabilitation, conservation and research activities and generate awareness for birds of prey.

Cameron was a passionate birder and visited the Hawk Conservancy Trust on many occasions where he loved getting close to the birds, whatever the weather! (see photo above) 

We are delighted to fund some amazing opportunities and partner with the Hawk Conservancy Trust this summer.  We are funding 2 internship programmes, one in the Conservation Research and one in the Conservation Education department.  Aderyn and Sorsha were lucky enough to be recruited and are involved with hands-on experience with public engagement and education for conservation, fieldwork, analysis, and science communication projects while supporting the Hawk Conservancy Trust’s on-site biodiversity work.

This work will give them invaluable experience and skills.  Our sponsorship has enabled them to receive funds to support their time working as an intern.   

Having completed my master’s in taxonomy, I realised I wanted to pursue a career in conservation and this internship presented itself at the perfect time.

The Cameron Bespolka Trust will also support their Explore Nature programme in 2025.  Explore Nature is a programme that invites senior school students and community groups to spend a day the Hawk Conservancy Trust to attend workshops, career exploration, and displays. It aims to encourage young people, who simply may not get the opportunity otherwise, to connect with nature.

They have already hosted two Explore Nature days this year, on Thursday 22 May (John Hanson Community School - 22 students) and Wednesday 25 June (Upper Shirley High School – 12 students). Activities included an owl pellet dissection, bird tracking activity and flying a vulture. They have another group from Upper Shirley High School booked in July wtih one additional school visit planned in September.

The first sponsored Intern
Sorcha is the first Conservation and Research Intern sponsored by the Cameron Bespolka Trust. Speaking of her new role Sorcha said "‘Having grown up visiting the Hawk Conservancy Trust, I am thrilled to be back as a Conservation and Research Intern for the next few months. It has already been a busy couple of weeks, and I have loved getting involved with the various tasks here at the Trust... Having completed my master’s in taxonomy, I realised I wanted to pursue a career in conservation and this internship presented itself at the perfect time."

Sorcha is the Hawk Conservancy Trust's 2025 Conservation and Research Intern sponsored by the Cameron Bespolka Trust

Second Intern
Meet Aderyn, Conservation Education Intern, who joined the Hawk Conservancy in May to support our education delivery thanks to our funding. In her first month, she has been supporting school visits with welcome talks and workshops – read below to hear more about her time so far. 

“Hello, my name is Aderyn, and this spring I had the pleasure of starting at the Hawk Conservancy Trust as the Conservation Education Intern! I have been working with children for 10 years now – all starting with running an afterschool club at a local first school as part of my Bronze Arts Award project! 

Aderyn's first month has been filled with school workshops, events planning, and assisting with bird flying

I also have a passion for science and nature and last year I achieved my BSc (Hons) Environmental Science from the University of Plymouth. My focuses were on environmental chemistry, specifically emerging contaminants, and biological conservation. After finishing my degree, I knew I wanted a job that was rooted in science, but I was unsure which direction to go with it. I was lucky enough to find this internship which combined my two interests perfectly and provided me with the opportunity to explore different aspects of my career such as education, conservation research, non-government organisations/charity work, animal care and management, marketing and branding, and so much more! It’s been such a pleasure working daily with school children again!

I knew I wanted a job that was rooted in science, but I was unsure which direction to go with it. 

My first month at the Trust has been filled with school workshops, events planning, and assisting with bird flying! My highlights have been holding the chatty Burrowing Owls, feeding Angola the Secretary Bird, assisting with school visits (especially showing children different types of feathers!), and creating a new accessible sensory experience for SEND children. I’ve been lucky enough to hold a Barn Swallow nestling whilst it was being ringed too!"

For more information visit the trust's website: https://www.hawk-conservancy.org