Volunteer placement: Cynrig Aquaponics
As an aquaponics volunteer, you will play a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of our fish tanks and aquatic plant production, from planting to harvest, to feeding the produce to the water voles we breed on site.
This is a volunteer placement which is offered as an opportunity to gain skills, and share experience and expertise, as part of the NRW Team to help us sustain and enhance Wales’ precious natural environment.
Closing date for applications: 10/05/2024
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Placement title |
Cynrig Aquaponics Volunteer |
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Type of placement |
NRW Volunteer Placement |
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Directorate |
Operations North and South |
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Team |
South Powys Environment team |
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Location |
Cynrig Fish Culture Unit, Brecon, Powys |
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Placement number |
23.24-049 |
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Placement Manager |
Richard Davies, Aquaculture Officer richard.j.davies@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk |
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Start date |
15/05/2024 |
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End date |
15/05/2025 |
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Working pattern |
The volunteer programme runs between 10am and 12:30pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays over a variety of calendar dates. Convenient dates will be arranged between the Placement Manager and volunteer. |
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Location |
Cynrig Fish Culture Unit, Brecon, Powys. |
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Welsh language |
This placement will be delivered through the medium of English |
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Placement purpose |
We have set up an Aquaponics system as part of an innovative trial to recycle nutrients from our fish rearing operation. By pumping water from the fish tanks into gro-beds in a polytunnel, we aim to grow a selection of native aquatic plants for the species we breed on site. This will allow for less shop bought produce, food miles and packaging and provide a more natural diet. As an aquaponics volunteer, you will play a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of our fish tanks and aquatic plant production, from planting to harvest, to feeding the produce to the water voles we breed on site. This volunteer opportunity offers a unique opportunity to be involved with an innovative cultivation technique, combining aquaculture with modern hydroponic technology. There are plans to expand the footprint of the aquaponic system, to incorporate raised beds, a small orchard and a conservation area with a garden. |
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Key placement tasks |
Ensure plant and fish health in the aquaponic system. Ensure system is functioning correctly. Maintenance and development of the conservation area and orchard. |
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Key placement qualifications or knowledge |
Knowledge or qualifications in one or more of the following is desirable:
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What you will do
- Planting: Efficiently propagate seeds seasonally and plant seedlings into aquaponic grow and soil based grow beds ensuring proper spacing and optimal growing conditions.
- Pest and weed control: Undertake pest and weed control whilst impleneting bio-friendly ways of controlling pests and weeds.
- Harvesting: Carefully harvest mature plants or take cuttings to feed to water voles.
- Cleaning and Maintenance: Keep the greenhouse environment clean and well-maintained. This includes cleaning equipment, work areas, and hydroponic systems to uphold high standards of hygiene and efficiency.
- General Aquaponic Activities: Assist with various aquaponic tasks as needed, including monitoring plant health, nutrient management, and environmental control within the greenhouse.
- Fish Husbandry: Feed fish in system, clean out tanks and feeders and check flows, check equipment is functioning (training will be given for these tasks).
- Project development: Minor landscaping and gardening within a conservation area, and light construction building raised beds, reinstating paths and pruning trees and maintaining a wildlife pond.
Who you will be working with
NRW Fish Culture Unit staff. The space within the aquaponic polytunnel and fish rearing building allows for a maximum of 5 volunteers at a time, some activities in the conservation area will benefit from more volunteers such as building raised beds.
Where you will be working
The Volunteering Placement will take place at Cynrig fish culture unit in Llanfrynach, Brecon. This facility is run by Natural Resources Wales to carry out captive breeding programmes for endangered aquatic species and also has a fisheries research remit.
The aquaponic system has been set up at a fish culture unit. The designated area for volunteers will be the car park, water vole breeding pens, aquaponic fish tank building, the polytunnel grow beds and the conservation area. There are welfare facilities such as toilet and kitchen available for volunteers in the meeting room.
What knowledge and skills you need
General gardening: Provide advice on raised bed construction, growing vegetables, scrub control, light tree work, pruning of apple trees.
Seed propagation: Selecting the right materials, techniques and soil types to propagate seeds and plant seedlings into grow beds at the right time.
Plant identification: Knowing the types of plants you're dealing with is crucial for their care and maintenance.
Environmental monitoring: Monitoring factors like temperature, pH, nitrites, humidity, and CO2 levels, especially in indoor gardening environments
Pest and disease control: Recognising common pests and diseases that affect plants, and implementing appropriate control measures.
Team collaboration: Interact collaboratively with other team members to produce quality plants and contribute to a positive volunteering environment.
Water management: Understanding the system’s hydrology and how to maintain the flows and balance. Manage water quality in the aquaponic system and raised beds.
Problem-solving: Being able to troubleshoot issues that arise in both traditional and hydroponic gardening, such as nutrient deficiencies or equipment malfunctions.
Submitting your application
Please send your completed application form and equalities monitoring form to Placements@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk by the closing date, using the placement number as a reference.
Successful applicants will be contacted by the placement manager to discuss what happens next. This could be an email, phone call or an invitation to an informal interview. If you are unsuccessful we will also let you know and explain why.