Meet Mikael- Operations Manager

Introduction

I started with ELMs Contracting limited in 2019 after working for the National Trust and the Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust, I wanted to experience the variety of habitats our clients manage further afield and apply myself to getting the best out of every intervention.

Back in 2009, I raked up a cut reedbed voluntarily on a Sunday for the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, having spent my first employed year as an engineer in a Tunnel in Barrow-in-furness, it was the change that set in motion a career in conservation, and even though that same sunday I also got my first Horse-fly bite. I was hooked.

Over the coming years, Wwoofing, Living in my car in Cumbria volunteering for Fix The Fells, doing my degree with a very niche Testate Amoebae dissertation, working with the National Trust and Wildlife Trusts, I realised something I'd first discovered with my Grandad when I was a kid. I adore Peat. But not only that, I love really complicated specialised ways of making that peat do what peat does best. Grow soggy!

ELMs and Mik

Through my career so far, Its been essential to grow the most experienced, supported and supplied team to undertake the work that we do to a high quality. Well, I work with my family and people my dog Lulu loves, So its not a difficult ask.

However, Making that fix, trialling that new thing to overcome an issue, to be able to do more. That is the core of what I do here.

• Working with our suppliers and clients, understanding their needs, working with them to achieve their targets.

• Working with highly motivated individuals that bring new ideas and compliment our ethos of getting the best for our clients and nature.

• Working in emerging fields like Natural Flood management, growing sectors such as Peatland restoration.

• Fulfilling our aims, keeping everyone safe and handing our sites back to our clients with the best quality work possible.

You'll often find me on site, occasionally shadowed by my bog-collie (Where she is allowed), pockets full of nuts, bolts, staples, sphagnum moss, surrounded by our awesome team. Rest of the time I am probably in the office doing our GIS, workshop servicing our excavators or visiting sites with clients.

Outside of work, Lulu and I are either up mountains, exploring megaliths, drinking coffee or at home doing DIY.

Any advice for anyone going into conservation?

Aside from "Do it!", it'd be that the kit you have and the team around you determines the day you'll have, not the weather. Donning waterproof socks and having a well filled sandwich sets you up for a snowy day in the peak district.

Working for a charity/business/organisation and with people as determined to make a difference as you will always lead you to variety and satisfaction. Say yes to every opportunity, keep notes, and relish the view!