We’re excited to welcome two new Project Assistants to the Wessex Rivers Trust team: Amy and Isaac! Both bring a deep passion for conservation, hands-on experience in habitat restoration, and a love for the outdoors. To introduce them properly, we asked them a few questions about their backgrounds, inspirations, and what they’re looking forward to in their new roles.
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Meet Amy
Having grown up and studied in the Wessex region, Amy was drawn to the Trust because of her passion for protecting local habitats, particularly chalk streams. “Aiding the protection of chalk streams gives me the unique chance to conserve a globally rare habitat,” she says.
Amy holds a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Southampton and has built a wealth of experience through practical conservation work. During her ‘Year in Employment’ as part of her studies, she worked as a trainee warden at RSPB Mersehead, carrying out wetland and saltmarsh management, invertebrate surveys, and monitoring natterjack toads. Later, she helped restore upland habitats at RSPB Haweswater and worked as an ecological field surveyor for HIWWT.
She’s most excited about the hands-on aspects of her role: “I thoroughly enjoy working outdoors, especially practical habitat work, so I am most excited about getting stuck in with in-channel river enhancement works.” Amy is also keen to expand her skills in species identification and conservation techniques.
Amy’s love for nature began in childhood, exploring Linford Brook in the New Forest with her family. One of her most memorable wildlife encounters was seeing three otters playing in the River Stour, followed by a kingfisher diving for fish. Her passion for conservation was sparked early: “I started watching wildlife documentaries such as Blue Planet and Planet Earth from a young age, which sparked my interest in animals, landscapes, and ecosystems.”
When asked who she’d most like to spend a day on the river with, Amy’s choice was clear: “David Attenborough—he has played a key role in my interest in the natural world. I would love the opportunity to listen to him recount some of the extraordinary wildlife encounters he has experienced in his remarkable lifetime.”
Fun fact? You may have already seen Amy on TV! “I have briefly featured on Springwatch and Countryfile in a full hazmat suit.”
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Meet Isaac
Like Amy, Isaac wanted to make a difference in the conservation of his local area. “The more I learned about the state of the UK’s rivers during my studies, the more I knew that I wanted to pursue a career where I could assist in their recovery,” he explains.
Isaac graduated with a degree in Biology from Portsmouth University and later completed a master’s in Biodiversity Conservation at Bournemouth University, specialising in freshwater ecology. In between, he worked as a ranger for the Lulworth Estate, where he managed visitor engagement at Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove while conducting wildlife surveys.
He’s particularly excited about seeing conservation projects come to life. “I love the delivery of a project. I find it very satisfying to see how a project is designed and then the theory being put into practice.” He’s also keen to deepen his knowledge of river restoration: “There seems like an endless amount to learn. I hope that in time I can look at successful restoration projects and say, ‘I helped do that.’”
Isaac’s connection to rivers runs deep—his favourite is the River Bray, where he conducted his dissertation research. This spot holds personal significance, as it’s been in his family for generations. “I’d often go on holiday here as a child and visit my grandmother, who lived close by. She would often have me planting trees or pulling Himalayan balsam! There was always a lovely picnic and campfire to look forward to afterwards.”
Isaac’s passion for conservation was reinforced by his time living in a city. “When I was 18, I moved to Leicester…Spending a lot of time in a concrete jungle with next to no nature made me realise how much I loved the area I came from and inspired me to do all that I could to conserve nature.”
Outside of conservation, Isaac has a few surprising skills. “I can ride a skateboard and play the harmonica at the same time,” he shares. He’s also an experienced kickboxer who once competed at a national level and—perhaps most impressively—was once rammed off his skateboard by a badger!
If he could spend a day on the river with anyone, Isaac would choose Gandhi. “I just think that he did so much good, and it would be an inspiring conversation.”
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Looking Ahead
Both Amy and Isaac are eager to support the Trust’s ambitious river restoration projects and deepen their understanding of freshwater conservation. They believe that community engagement is key to protecting rivers. As Isaac puts it, “By taking children (and adults!) to beautiful sections of river and telling them how it works and why it’s important, we can win hearts and minds.” Amy echoes this sentiment, emphasising the importance of education, awareness, and hands-on experiences in the field.
We’re delighted to have Amy and Isaac on board, and we can’t wait to see the positive impact they’ll have on Wessex’s rivers and wetlands. If you see them out in the field, be sure to say hello!
