Tales from Tortworth Arboretum – Amy’s story

I first discovered the gem of Tortworth in 2016, and was lucky enough to spend a bit of time there in 2018. I could not believe my luck in 2020 when I got a job in this magical hidden wilderness, just a short drive from Bristol.

I started as Community Engagement Officer in March 2020, about 3 weeks before the first national lockdown for the Covid-19 pandemic. A strange time to try and engage the community with the arboretum and our work!

Working at Tortworth has been such a gorgeous adventure. There is always something to learn, hurdles to overcome, and endless job satisfaction. Being part of a team that is so passionate and dedicated is inspirational. The dual focus of our work – trees and people, thriving together – just makes so much sense to me; it’s an honour to care for the tree collection and to help people access all the benefits that nature has to offer.

I’ve worn several ‘hats’ in my 5+ years on the staff team, and one of the things I love most about my current role is the privilege I have of listening to, and sharing, other people’s stories of how Torworth has changed their lives for the better. As the Tales from Tortworth series shows, those stories are countless.