January 1, 2026

Exciting New Role for Wildlife Enthusiasts Along the Ouse Burn Valley

The Natural History Society of Northumbria (NHSN) is inviting applications for a new Ouse Burn Ecologist position, a role funded by the Reece Foundation as part of the Ouse Burn Way fund. The post offers a unique opportunity to support wildlife, engage local communities, and help deliver the vision for the Ouse Burn Way in Newcastle.

The Ouse Burn Ecologist will be responsible for surveying habitats, monitoring species, and managing conservation projects along the seven-mile Ouse Burn corridor. The role also includes community engagement, leading events, and inspiring residents of all ages to notice, enjoy, and care for urban wildlife.

Working alongside NHSN’s Urban Naturalist, Ellie Davison, the Ecologist will help nurture local enthusiasm for nature and support community-led improvements such as tree and bulb planting, wildlife habitats and litter picking.

Ellie Davison said: “This exciting project puts communities at the heart of caring for the Ouse Burn. It’s about shared action, local pride, and creating lasting benefits for people and wildlife for years to come.”

The Ouse Burn Way project aims to transform this urban corridor into a thriving green space, connecting communities from the River Tyne to Weetslade Country Park. With a mix of habitat restoration and citizen engagement, the initiative highlights the importance of urban nature and demonstrates the impact of collaborative conservation efforts.

Anne Reece, Chair of the Reece Foundation, said: “The Ouse Burn Way is such a special part of our local environment, and we are very pleased to support its future by funding an Ouse Burn Ecologist. This important role will engage communities, protect wildlife and help nature thrive along this vital corridor.”

For anyone passionate about wildlife and community engagement, this is a rare chance to turn enthusiasm into tangible action — making a lasting difference for nature and people in Newcastle.

• The position is field-based and comes with a three-year contract, offering a salary of £26,500–£28,500.
• Applications close at midnight on Sunday 18 January.
• Full details and the recruitment pack are available on the NHSN website.

Interested? Find out more

For an informal discussion about this role, please email Ellie Davison, Urban Naturalist urbannaturalist@newcastle.ac.uk.

Informal drop-in session in the Council Room at Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle City Centre, 1 – 4 pm on Friday 9 January 2026.  This will be an opportunity to meet Ellie and other team members and hear more about the Ouse Burn Way.

The Ouse Burn Way is a seven-mile urban wildlife corridor from the mouth of the Ouseburn to Weetslade Country Park. Its vision goes beyond wildlife, improving water quality, enhancing wellbeing, and creating spaces for communities to connect with nature. The Reece Foundation’s £1 million Ouse Burn Way fund supports local projects that make this vision a reality.