Today is the International Day for Women and Girls and Science. To celebrate the fantastic women that work and volunteer for BTO, we'll be sharing their stories today. Share your own story in the comments!

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
Our Science Communications Manager, @Viola_RS, was inspired by her A-level chemistry teacher to aim high. To those wanting a career in science she says: "Keep up with the wider field of science. You never know what might ignite your imagination next!"
#February11 @WomenScienceDay
Next is @AilidhBarnes, one of our Research Ecologists. She credits her parents, her supervisors and Shelley Hinsley as her inspirations. "I was so lucky to have such great supervisors," she says. "I am still in touch with them today."

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
. @maura_gbz sits on our Youth Advisory Panel, and her contributions have made a huge difference to how we engage young people. Her passion for biology, and golf, shine through in her work.

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
. @alicemarlow14 is part of our Youth Representatives, and she works with the @BTO_Cornwall team. A tv show about the tropics triggered an ambition to carry out her own research in the region, and she's well on her way to achieving that!

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
Rachel, or @ScienceGeek1313, is a science teacher who volunteers for BTO. She says: "Get involved in citizen science! There is something for everyone, and the more you take part in, the more opportunities you'll discover."

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
Up at @BTO_Scotland, @ChrisWernham speaks of her neighbour, 'Auntie Barbara', who first ignited her interest in wildlife. Now, she is passionate about seabirds and is Associate Director of Country Offices at @_BTO!

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
Nicki Read is the PA to our CEO and Director of Science, making her an invaluable part of the @_BTO team that keeps the organisation running. She rightfully says: "Realise your potential - you can do anything you put your mind to."

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
Although @MichelleAReeve started at @_BTO just a week or so ago, she's bringing passion and enthusiasm for science communication in spades! With a background in biomechanics, she now communicates science to a wide audience.


#February11 @WomenScienceDay
Simone ( @hog_thoughts) uses her commute time during lockdown to participate in surveys and contribute to saving nature. "You don't have to be an expert; you can help just by observing and caring!"

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
Of birding fame, Linda ( @kenandlindasmi2) worked as a civil servant before retiring and setting up the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker network. She has volunteered for @_BTO since 1975, first taking part in a Rookery survey!

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
Zoe grew up surrounded by woodland, and she has an innate love of wildlife and nature. With a hugely varied career path, that includes working with Black Bears in the USA to raptors in Georgia, she now works at BTO as a Community Engagement Officer.

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
Our CEO @juliet_vickery is cited as an inspiration to many, but she herself was inspired by the likes of Dr Jane Sears and Professor Debbie Pain. Before becoming our CEO, she headed up the fantastic @RSPBScience International Research Team.

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
Annette's background is as a chemist, but that never stopped her passion for ornithology. She says: "Find yourself in a non-science career? Contain it! Leave time to volunteer and study what you love - you never know where it might lead."

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
. @BTO_Scotland's @BlaiseMartay spent time growing up on St Helena. When two conservationists came to study insects there, she was inspired. She says: "I loved the idea that you could poke around for insects as a grownup!"

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
. @jaycee_161, or Jenny, is a behavioural ecologist. Her work looks at garden birds, studying birds in over 400 nest boxes on her field sites! She says: "There are lots of citizen science projects out there. Researchers like me need your help!"

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
One of our Youth Representatives, @birdingfox, has been a bird ringer for years. She was inspired by her dad who took her to wildlife events, where she met passionate conservationists who sparked her enthusiasm.

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
You may have heard @r_green24 speak this morning about her work on Shelduck; she is a Research Ecologist studying how offshore windfarms could impact migrating birds. She'll be online again at 4pm for our careers panel! http://bit.ly/BTOConsCareers 

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
. @sabrinaschalz is our North London Regional Rep, whilst also doing a PhD on Carrion Crows *and* working full-time! An all-round star, she says: "Look for someone who can help implement your ideas, and don't give up if people turn you down."

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
. @WeBS_UK's @GillBbirding never considered a career that wasn't wildlife-focused. She says: "Approach others in the industry; it could open doors that you didn't even know existed!"

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
Sometimes, the people around us are the most inspiring. @HazelEMcC is inspired by her colleagues and her community, who all work hard to make the world a better place. Her top tip is: "Listen to the people in your life who believe in you."

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
"Step out of your comfort zone, and embrace new experiences - however daunting they may be! They may just be the making of you," says @Bridge_Griff. Dogged determination to work in conservation is what brought her to @_BTO!

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
. @modelbirder says: "Work out what you *don't* want to do as much as what you do want to do - knowing what doesn't work is just as important." The years she worked as an ornithological field assistant showed her her true passion is for birds.

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
. @KatBoothJones' cousin printed her a "roadmap to a conservation job", which she stuck to carefully. It must've worked, because now she works as a Senior Research Ecologist at @BTO_NIreland!


#February11 @WomenScienceDay
Our Head of Surveys, @DEBALMER, has been a birdwatcher practically her entire life. She volunteered a lot when she was younger, and got her first job at BTO age 22. Her passion for birds shines through in everything does!

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
Also one of our Youth Representatives and a trainee ringer, @mariascullion_ says: "Don't be afraid to work in an unrelated discipline whilst you volunteer or look for a conservation job. We all have to start somewhere!"

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
Anyone can be a scientist through volunteering. @Shenaz71284572 says: "I enjoy supporting science, both through collecting data, which impacts conservation, and through leading volunteer field teams."

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
"Citizen science is a powerful tool," says @animal__alice, who is using @seabird_watch data for her PhD. "It engages communities and helps answer important scientific questions. For this reason I spend a lot of my spare time volunteering for @_BTO."

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
Our youngest participant is @NaturesYoungVo1, Esther, who is inspired by @BirdgirlUK and @MeganMcCubbin, as well as her mum. "Direct your passions so it can push past the boundaries faced by girls and women," she says to other young girls in science.

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
. @WildChild_MissF says: "Start small - join a citizen science project that you can do from your garden or window. Record what you see and hear on your walks, and you're already contributing to science."

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
Another of our Youth Representatives, Belinda, was inspired by growing up in rural Herefordshire. As she now looks for a job in conservation, she highlights the value of volunteering and passion: "If you are passionate about it, then pursue it."

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
After nearly 22 years at @_BTO, our librarian @caroleshowell says: "Be curious, and always aim to see the big picture and think outside of the box." Great advice from someone who helps everyone at BTO learn and develop their skills through her work.

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
. @charlward92 was encouraged by Sir David Attenborough and @BBCSpringwatch to pursue a career in the field of conservation. She says: "You're not limited by your past education or experiences. You can build your own path in science."

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
Our Social Media Manager, @FayeVogely, says: "I always thought I wanted to be a field biologist, but I learned there are so many other paths in science to explore. When I started working in outreach, I knew I found my niche. I've never looked back."

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
Senior Research Ecologist, @_SamanthaFranks, talks about her desire to work in Canada's British Columbia and the inspiration she took from childhood camping trips. Listen to her story on our YouTube channel!


#February11 @WomenScienceDay
At @BTO_Scotland, Senior Research Ecologist @KittiwakeGirl says: "My Biology teacher at school encouraged us to actually think for ourselves, and ask questions rather than regurgitate facts."

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
Last, but most certainly not least, @fidhw was first inspired by her mother to be interested in science. Nowadays, she combines her scientific work for @BTO_Cymru with her stunning stained glass art.

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
That's it from us! We hope you're as inspired by these women as we are - from our scientists to our volunteers, those already established and those just getting started, we say: thank you.

#February11 @WomenScienceDay
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