As my immediate and extended family have all been involved in farming, my childhood was spent living on the family dairy farm. My keen interest in environmental science stems from this family life, as it gave me a unique insight into ecology and the interaction between man and the natural balance of nature. My main inspiration has been my Granddad, a farmer and avid conservationist. He was a founder member of the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and Sorby Breck Bird Ringing Group, part of the British Trust for Ornithology. It is my intention to train as a bird ringer with this group.
In 2008 I spent two weeks of the summer in Uganda with my Grandmother, who lives there. While there I was able to attend research and conservation projects, such as the Murchison National Park, Zuma Rhino Sanctuary and what is known as the Golden Mile to ardent bird watchers. This enabled me to truly appreciate how different environments can be, the weather, flora and fauna in the Rift Valley is nothing like the countryside that I am used to back home in England.
I feel that I would be suited to this course due to knowledge already gained in relevant A level subjects and my interest in Environmental Science as a topic, as the course will develop my understanding in a subject I am already passionate about. I subscribe to the Scientific American and National Geographic journals and watch as many science/environmental programmes as possible. In September I attended the first UK Biogas event in Birmingham with my father. Whilst there, I spoke to a professor of environmental engineering who advised me to take up Environmental Science as a degree course. I have recently been involved in the planning and development of an Anaerobic Digester on my father’s farm. This included a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment and will enable the generation of renewable energy through a carbon neutral process.
Throughout my school life I have been involved in many activities and projects that will greatly help me with university life as a whole. These include attending several residential trips to UK outdoor pursuit centres and Holland, gaining my full drivers licence and membership of a Young Farmers Club where I regularly participate in competitions that boost my confidence and push my personal boundaries. I have also participated in a great many different sporting activities, some are team building while others encourage me to use my own initiative E.g.: hockey,  horse riding and orienteering. I am currently completing my Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award, which is allowing me to practise life skills, planning ahead and working as a team. First Aid Training is an essential part of the award, which I have completed successfully. While on the expedition we are expected to do a project or research, as a group we are looking at the impacts of humans on the environment throughout our journey.
I have held many positions of responsibility inside and outside of school. I was Assistant Head Girl throughout Year 11 and Dinner Monitor in younger years; I now work in a Chocolate Shop and Cafe and have done so for 3 years.  These posts have allowed me to demonstrate that I am a reliable and trustworthy person.  I am regularly the most senior member of staff present within the chocolate shop; my role entails training newcomers and ensuring that staff and public relations run smoothly. As a horse enthusiast, I regularly volunteer at a local Riding for the Disabled School where I lead horses or support the riders, in addition to general stable duties.  This combined with my employed work has given me experience working with a wide spectrum of the public, which has enabled me to practise my public relation skills with people of all ages and a range of disabilities.
I would like to use the knowledge gained from this course, in order to work in the field of renewable energies, providing the world with a better future in sustainable fuel resources. I look forward to learning both in the field and in lectures.