Welcome to Lindsey, Engagement Officer for Our Healthy Headwaters
We’re delighted to welcome Lindsey Death to the Wessex Rivers Trust team as Engagement Officer for our Our Healthy Headwaters project. Lindsey brings over 14 years’ experience in public engagement within the conservation sector, along with a lifelong personal connection to the River Avon.
A career shaped by nature
Lindsey’s journey into conservation began with the RSPB, where she worked across a variety of public-facing roles both on and off reserve. She later joined Plantlife, leading engagement around some of the UK’s rarest wildlife species, before setting up her own nature connection business – a role that allowed her to share the wellbeing benefits of time spent outdoors, while also balancing life with young children.
What has stayed constant throughout her work is a passion for creative, meaningful public engagement:
“I love finding new ways to bring environmental messages to life and to understand how nature fits into people’s everyday experiences and wellbeing.”
Returning to the Avon
For Lindsey, joining Wessex Rivers Trust is also a homecoming. She grew up beside the River Avon in Stratford-sub-Castle, where early encounters with wildlife first sparked her interest in conservation.
“I remember sitting on the riverbank one summer evening, determined to spot a water vole. After watching the same hole for what felt like ages, one suddenly plopped out and swam across the river. It was a real lightbulb moment – that if you know where to look and take the time, incredible wildlife is right there on your doorstep.”
That personal connection made the chance to work on a project improving the Avon’s water quality especially meaningful.
Why Our Healthy Headwaters matters
The Our Healthy Headwaters project focuses on helping communities make small, simple, river-friendly choices at home – and understand how those changes improve the health of their local rivers. The project will centre on four key themes:
Save Every Drop
What's going down your plughole?
Pet Medications
Septic Smart
Over the coming months the project will deliver school sessions, community workshops, talks, campaigns, and opportunities for local people to get involved in protecting the river.
Since joining in August, Lindsey has been getting to know the project area, meeting community groups and councillors, observing WessexRT education sessions in schools, and shaping the project’s long-term engagement strategy.
She is now developing resources and planning the first campaign activity – and is keen to hear from anyone who’d like to collaborate:
“If you’re a teacher interested in free school sessions, a community group that could host a talk or workshop, or someone who wants to volunteer or learn more, please get in touch.”
Part of the Big Chalk partnership
We’re also pleased to share that Our Healthy Headwaters has recently been approved as part of the Big Chalk initiative – a partnership of more than 150 organisations working to protect and enhance chalk and limestone landscapes across southern England. This will help the project reach new audiences and connect with like-minded partners.
Listening first, then acting together
For Lindsey, the most rewarding part of this work is discovering how people connect with the places around them, and what rivers mean to them personally:
“Where I might notice the birdlife first, others might be drawn to colours, art, memories, or childhood experiences. Nature is a level playing field where every perspective is valid. I’m really looking forward to listening to the communities along the Avon Headwaters and understanding what matters to them.”
Outside work, Lindsey is also a qualified forest bathing guide and finds inspiration in ancient woodlands – especially where rivers run through them. The River Dart in Devon and The Devenish nature reserve near Salisbury are two places close to her heart.
Get involved
If you’d like to connect with Lindsey about school sessions, volunteering, community events, or future project involvement, you can reach her at
lindesy@wessexrt.org.uk.
