We are looking forward to exploring many aspects of the marine sector in North Wales over the next six months. We will also be looking to leave our mark by carrying out a joint project for the partners that will investigate current understanding and community participation surrounding offshore renewable energy projects across North Wales.
Bronwen Fleming
Helo, I’m Bronwen. I studied Environmental Management and Sustainability at Plymouth University. I loved the wide variety of modules we covered and was excited to put my knowledge into practice once I graduated in 2022.
After university I moved back to my hometown of Caergybi (Holyhead) and joined the 'Llwyddo’n lleol' programme run by Mentor Môn. Here I partnered with a small local business and helped them on their sustainability journey. I went on to do water vole conservation with the Afonydd Menai project, gaining confidence in field work and working with different landowners.
I moved to Manchester to experience city life...where I soon realised that I’m a country bumpkin. But before moving back to North Wales I gained valuable experience working for a tree planting charity. I loved developing my tree identification skills, using GIS to create planting schemes and producing species mixes for different sites. I enjoyed the engagement side of the role, organising planting days with volunteer groups and schools.
Back in Wales, I continued work in the forestry sector working on a short-term project improving woodlands in Dyffryn Ogwen. Moving back to my home area, I fell back in love with the marine environment, so when I saw this internship, I felt that it was the perfect opportunity to transition into the marine sector, whilst building on many of the skills that I loved using in previous roles.
I am so excited to be working with all of our different partners over the next six months. Already we have been getting into our main project: seagrass seed collection, sea shore surveys, intertidal monitoring and so much more!
Gregory Miles
S'mae, Greg dw i. I graduated in 2023 with an MSc in Global Ecology and Conservation from Cardiff University after taking a ten year gap year from my bachelors degree in Zoology from Aberystwyth University in 2013. In Aberystwyth, I fell in love with the Welsh coastline through study of marine biology modules and sunsets over dolphin-filled Cardigan Bay, and I vowed to one day return.
I then spent two years travelling the world, starting with 7 months of volunteering in marine conservation in Madagascar where I carried out various dive surveys on coral reefs and worked with local communities to inspire environmentally conscious fishing practices.
After working in the wildlife charity world as a volunteer coordinator throughout the pandemic, I finally gave into hiraeth and returned to Wales to study at Cardiff University. My dissertation assessed the availability of prey in the Severn Estuary for the white-tailed eagle reintroduction project being carried out in Gwent.
After graduating with a masters degree, I made an immediate move to North Wales, where I now live in Eryri. I love being surrounded by the incredible nature of the north, exploring in the mountains and forests and being just a stones throw away from the sea. I also find myself continuously inspired by the close-knit community in which I now find myself and am excited to see how other, like-minded communities interact with the land and sea around them.
Over the years, I have struggled to find my place within the competitive nature of the conservation sector, but this internship offers me the perfect opportunity to gain a wide understanding of the marine biology sector across North Wales: from the hands-on fieldwork side of marine surveys and data collection to exploring the future of offshore renewable energy and its social and economic complexities. The internship also provides the unique chance to work closely alongside the five partners of the programme to hopefully make a difference with our work too.
I am very much looking forward to getting stuck in, and to spending some time in the sea over the next six months.
If you are interested in helping with our work over the next 6 months, we have put together a questionnaire to help us formulate an understanding of peoples interactions with the sea and their knowledge and understanding of offshore renewable energy.
You can find the link to our 15 questions here or yma yn Gymraeg or contact bronwen.fleming@northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk and gregory.miles@northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk
The Marine Futures Internship is a partnership between North Wales Wildlife Trust, The Crown Estate, M-SParc, Morlais and, joining us for the first time this year, Natural Resources Wales.
