Saving for a DSLR is one thing, learning to shoot better in landscapes and nature can be something else.
But as others have put it across - attitude is important.
I take on assistants from time to time, and I look for the right attitude first, portfolio and experience comes last. That first impression counts a lot, and I've had a lot of horror stories with bad interviewees and bad PAs. There are those who'd abandon all responsibility and run off, and there are those with a rubber-time problem. And more.
There's also been some really good people whom I've come to work with this year and they are the ones I'd really bother with. One of whom went on to clinch an architecture photog award and another to win a prize at a competition. Along the way, one of them has now moved on to apprenticing under someone else, with my blessings. And we're meeting up this evening for a get-together, my current and former PAs and myself.
I take it that you are still young, in NS perhaps. Go find the right people to mingle with, shoot with, learn from. Opportunities do come around, but be willing to work to accomodate them rather than expect others to suit you. If you want, you can always look me up for a chat.
Cheers and good luck to your quest for knowledge and work.