Geography student Bethan Lewis has left the lecture room behind to gain a unique insight to how much of the south Wales landscape is shaped.
Bethan, who is studying at the University of Swansea, has joined the team at the Forestry Commission Wales office in Resolven on a five-week placement to discover how they manage the largest urban forest in western Europe.
The experience has been made possible by the Amnawdd sponsorship scheme which aims to provide career opportunities for Welsh speakers in environmental fields by providing suitable work placements.
FC Wales has joined forces with CCW and Environment Agency Wales to work with universities and other agencies to increase the numbers of Welsh speaking experts in environmental fields.
Bethan, from Maesteg, will experience the entire breadth of FC Wales's work in the south Wales forest, from finding out how FC Wales manages its popular mountain bike trails and combats forest crime, to seeing what goes in to the day to day forest management with the local area teams.
She will also spend time with the forest district's planning forester, Gareth Roberts - himself once a geography student - whose job is to ensure the woodlands of the future meet people's hopes and aspirations.
Dai Jones, FCW forest district manager, said, "We're delighted to have Bethan join our team to see the huge range of skills required to manage this vast area of forest in a way that meets people's needs both today and in the future.
"The forest sector offers many opportunities for an exciting and rewarding career, working in new areas of technology as well as developing practical skills, and we are delighted to back Amnawdd's aims to increase Welsh-medium provision in the higher education sector in environmental fields.
"We provide support for our staff to learn Welsh, so hopefully Bethan's presence might have a positive impact here as well by raising awareness of the Welsh language!"
Bethan is one of four Amnawdd students gaining experience with FC Wales. The others are Jordan Owen, who is based in Llandovery, Hannah Povey, based in Dolgellau, and Eifion Davies, who is finding out about the work of the FC Wales Woodlands for Learning team in Llanrwst.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Forestry Commission Wales is the government department responsible for forestry policy and looks after the 320,000 acres (130,000 ha) of public forests owned by the Welsh Assembly Government.
The Amnawdd scheme offers sponsorship of up to £1500 and work experience to students studying environment related subjects through the medium of Welsh.
More information on the woodlands of Wales is available on www.forestry.gov.uk/wales
Media enquiries to Clive Davies, Forestry Commission Wales Information Officer, on 0845 604 0845, mobile 07788 190922.