FOUR keen apprentices are enjoying giving back to the landscape they love with their new roles.

The Lake District National Park Authority has recently recruited four new apprentices to join its ranger teams.

Jack Aberley from Lancashire is working with the northern team. A joiner by trade, Jack decided he wanted to put his skills to a more ecological use and has enjoyed bridge repairs and installing signposts and waymarkers so far.

“I have worked on building sites for years but decided that I wanted to give something back to the environment I love,” he said.

“I feel very lucky to be able to call the northern Lake District my office and look forward to enhancing my skill set.”

Meanwhile Jed Porter, from Ulverston and Ant Murray, from Penrith, have joined the central ranger team.

Jed’s dad is also field ranger with the Lake District National Park and has worked on many major projects.

“I’ve grown up helping my dad out, and I decided that I’d love to follow in my dad’s footsteps,” said Jed.

“I’ve enjoyed learning more about the natural environment and improving on my dry stone walling skills.

Before the pandemic Ant Murray ran pubs for over a decade, but last year he decided that he wanted to up sticks and move to Penrith and give something back to nature.

He said: “Like a lot of people I have re-evaluated my life and decided I wanted to move to a place I loved and do something worthwhile and was important for the environment as climate change is a real concern of mine.

“So far I’ve enjoyed speaking with the public and letting them know how they can help us look after the Lake District.”

And Jake Wood is working with the southern team after his course at college was cancelled due to the pandemic. Coming from a farming background, Jake said he cannot wait to expand his skillset and learn the ropes of becoming a National Park ranger.

The newest recruits are starting their level two countryside worker apprenticeship which lasts 12-18 months and includes six weeks at a college in York where they learn about wildlife, trees and invasive species, landscapes, health and safety and law.