In celebration of International Women’s Day 2024, female staff members from across Surrey Wildlife Trust share their experiences of the conservation industry and give advice to those looking to break into the sector.
Women in Wildlife Conservation
“Say ‘YES’ to new things, put yourself out of your comfort zone and listen to people who are willing to share their experiences –”
Emma Rothwell
Wilder Schools Team Leader, 2017 - present
As part of the Wilder Schools Team, I work with our project schools and teach local students when they come to Nower Wood on school trips. I also coordinate the Education volunteers who support our programme. Our team runs family Open Days, holiday clubs, and events for uniformed groups, while also supporting wider-Trust events. In 2015 I began volunteering with the Trust whilst studying for an Animal Welfare and Behaviour Degree at Merrist Wood College. In 2017, I became a permanent member of the team - starting as one of the Education Tutors and working within the Adult Learning sphere. In my ‘previous life’ I was a Primary Teacher who specialised in science and physical education, working both in the UK and internationally, teaching in Milan, Moscow and Istanbul. The crossover from mainstream education to outdoor learning allowed me to reestablish my joy of teaching children all about science and the natural world. One of my passions is to inspire children to just get outside and connect with nature – it’s fundamentally important both for our physical and mental health! My advice to women aspiring to get into this industry would be to follow your dreams, take big leaps of faith and trust in your own abilities. Say ‘YES’ to new things, put yourself out of your comfort zone and listen to people who are willing to share their experiences with you – people are one of the best sources of information and support.
Carly Potter
Marketing Officer, 2022 – present
My role revolves around planning and implementing campaigns to raise funds, reach new audiences, and spread the word about the inspiring work SWT does. Whether it’s drafting emails, planning campaigns or content creation, there’s always the opportunity to learn more about wildlife and use my skills to make a difference! I wanted to work for a local conservation charity to be a part of something meaningful. In the past I’ve worked in hospitality and events and most recently for a forest school organisation. SWT does fantastic work through practical conservation but also by inspiring the next generation to care for nature - I love being a part of that. It’s rewarding to work alongside passionate people who care about the natural world and have a diverse set of skills which come together to make a difference. Even without a strong knowledge of wildlife, an eagerness to learn and get stuck in is a great place to start when contemplating a career in conservation.
Viki Webster
GIS Research and Monitoring Officer, 2023 – present
I started my role in August 2023 after completing a placement at SWT which looked into the opportunities and challenges of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in Surrey. Before that, I was a graduate student sequencing the genome of a bumblebee parasite. The culture at SWT and commitment to nature recovery motivated me to apply when the position was advertised. Most of my role surrounds facilitating collaborations with our academic partners to develop an evidence base behind our conservation practices. This is key to our commitment to being Evidence Champions and demonstrates that the work we’re doing across the Trust is making a measurable positive impact on nature. The advice I would give women who want to get into conservation is to let your enthusiasm shine! Let yourself get excited about the field you’re joining and be open to learning skills while on the job. It’s beneficial to read about some of the current biggest changes in the sector (e.g., BNG and LNRS) to gain some wider context.
Esther Hill
Community Engagement Officer, 2021 – present
I coordinate the Trust's fantastic volunteers and work with community groups to support them as they take action for nature. I'm also involved in delivering work experience and oversee our Nature Restoration Trainees. I've always been fascinated by our natural world and chose to study a degree in Geography, spending 3 years learning about our amazing planet and the pressures it’s currently facing. After graduating, I worked with Forestry England, learning how best to manage woodland and helping the public gain a better understanding of this important habitat. In 2021, I began my role with SWT. My role ensures the Trust has a coordinated approach to managing volunteers, resulting in a more positive experience for everyone. My advice for anyone wanting to get into the sector is to get as much experience as you can in a range of different areas! There are so many different components that make up the conservation sector, and experience is the best way to work out what you enjoy.
Jennifer Mason
Membership Manager, 2021 - present
I started at SWT via a temping agency, covering for an employee who was on sick leave, before joining permanently as a Membership Officer and later moving into management. Prior to working at the Trust, I was a keen environmentalist! I’d spent the last 10 years raising my two children and running a small business from home, but had previously worked for MTV London as a production manager. As Membership Manager, I’m responsible for the day-to-day running of the department, while finding new ways to recruit and retain our current members, who enable our conservation work. My advice to anyone aspiring to get into the conservation industry would be to decide what you’re passionate about, and then find the role for you. Get the skills and experience you need to progress and don’t be afraid to ask for help from the people around you. What’s most important of all is to follow your instincts!