Victoria Chamberlin plays a key role in inspiring the next generation of nature lovers through education and public engagement at our Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve in Fakenham, North Norfolk. From leading school visits and outreach sessions to organising events that connect people with wildlife, her work helps make nature accessible to all. We sat down with Victoria to learn more about her journey, her role, and what she finds most rewarding about working in conservation.
Q. How did your journey with the Hawk and Owl Trust begin?
A. My background is actually in teaching – I trained as a primary school teacher and then moved into museums education, working in London and Norfolk for several years. After having children, I took some time out and found myself drawn to wildlife, particularly through birdwatching in my own garden. That led me to start volunteering with the RSPB, running school outreach sessions and helping with public engagement. I absolutely loved it, and when the role at the Hawk and Owl Trust came up, it was the perfect fit! I've now been here for over three years, and I still love what I do.
Q. What does your role involve?
A. My work is all about connecting children and families with nature. A big part of my role is developing and delivering our schools programme, which includes on-site workshops at Sculthorpe Moor and outreach sessions where we visit schools. Our workshops are designed to support the Key Stage 1 and 2 science curriculum, covering topics like habitats, food chains, and bird adaptations, and I work closely with teachers to ensure they are relevant, engaging, and accessible. Teachers love that our sessions bring learning to life in a hands-on way – whether it’s pond dipping, birdwatching, or exploring the reserve’s different ecosystems.
The other side of my role is organising events at the reserve. Along with my colleague Libby, I organise events for visitors of all ages, from guided walks and wildlife talks for our regular supporters to nature trails, activity days, and wildlife experiences that give children and parents the chance to explore the outdoors together. Our Discovery Days in the summer are always a highlight, and with Easter coming up, we have lots of fun activities planned for the school holidays! A big part of my job is showing people that nature reserves aren’t just for expert birders – everyone is welcome, and there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Q. What does a typical day look like for you?
A.Every day is different! If I’m working with schools, I might be leading a pond-dipping session, running a workshop on birds of prey, or delivering an assembly. On the events side, I could be planning upcoming activities, creating educational resources, or setting up for one of our big Discovery Days. I also spend time on outreach, visiting schools that might not otherwise get the chance to experience nature first-hand.
Q. What do you enjoy most about working in conservation?
A. I love seeing people – especially children – light up when they connect with nature. One of my favourite moments was hearing from a family who said their visit to Sculthorpe Moor was the highlight of their summer. Moments like that remind me why we do what we do. I also love working with schools that might not normally have access to outdoor learning. Nature can be transformative, and I feel very lucky to play a role in making that happen.
Q: What’s coming up for you in 2025?
A. We’re continuing to expand our education programme, and we have a busy summer term ahead with lots of schools coming to do activities at the reserve.
We also have a packed calendar of public events for the year. For families, we have a fantastic programme lined up, including Easter holiday activities in April, our ever-popular pond dipping sessions, and new nature trails to explore. Our updated activity calendar is out now, so families can start planning their visits!
Q. Do you have a favourite wildlife species?
A. It has to be the Barn Owl. They have this incredible ghostly presence when they glide over the reserve at dusk. I also have a soft spot for Red Kites – not just because they’re beautiful birds, but because their comeback story is such a great example of conservation in action. It’s a reminder that we can make a difference.
Q. What would you say to teachers or families thinking about visiting?
A. Just come and experience it! Teachers will see first-hand how engaged their pupils are in an outdoor learning environment, and parents will love watching their children discover the natural world. Whether you’re visiting as a school group or a family, there’s something here for everyone.
If Victoria’s work has inspired you, why not visit Sculthorpe Moor and experience the reserve for yourself? With British springtime now in full swing, now is the perfect time to plan your visit.
To explore our upcoming events, visit: https://members.hawkandowltrust.org/Event-Search
For further information on our activities for schools, visit: https://sculthorpe.hawkandowltrust.org/information/education
