With the support of our members and volunteers, and our funders and partners, we work to restore nature, to empower people to take action for nature, and to create a society where nature matters. Speaking to as many people as possible, and getting more of them involved, is essential to help us achieve our goals.

Mark and Alice are part of our membership recruitment team who, with the help of some amazing volunteers, attend fairs and events across North Wales. They are out in all seasons and weathers, from hot summer events to freezing cold Christmas markets, always with a smile on their face and always willing to chat to people about anything wildlife-related.

Meet Mark

Mark has worked for the Trust for nearly five years. Many of you may have seen him dressed as a shark at our annual PlastOff! beach clean on Anglesey, while on other days you might spot him dressed as a bat, a red squirrel – or even Rudolph during the festive season!

Mark has affectionately become known as the ’Sock Man‘, thanks to the huge range of Bare Kind bamboo socks he takes with him wherever he goes. With just about every local species you can think of represented, the socks are a great conversation starter, and the retail sales also help support our work.

Mark has a real passion for nature and, in his spare time, manages a smallholding specifically for wildlife.

Mark says:

“My primary role is to encourage people to engage with the Trust – whether that’s by attending one of our events, volunteering, or helping to fund the great work we do by becoming a member.

I understand that not everyone wants to commit to a monthly membership straight away. For me, it’s about getting people through the door, encouraging them to come along and see what we do, and hopefully that engagement will lead to their support further down the line.

All the work we carry out is in North Wales, and all the money we receive is invested here too. That’s something I really try to get across to people.

I always encourage new members to get involved with the work we do – whether that’s visiting a local reserve, joining a project or event, or doing some volunteering. Come and get your hands dirty!

It really resonates with people when you tell them that we are a local charity, that our 36 reserves are just a short drive away, and that they can volunteer in their own community. If you come along and help out, the next time you pass that area you can say, ‘I was part of that.’

One of the nicest things for me is meeting people who originally joined the Trust after speaking to me and then seeing them come back and tell me about the things they’ve seen or done. That’s what makes the job so rewarding.

So, if you think wildlife, nature and conservation are important in your area, why not get involved?”

Meet Alice

Originally from Germany, Alice recently joined the team. She has a background in Marine Biology and continues her research projects with Bangor University alongside her role for the Trust. Although she hasn’t got as many animal costumes as Mark she gets out and about doing events and fairs right across North Wales. She also supports the Brenig Osprey Project and helps with our beach cleans, Shoresearch and other events.

Alice says:

I really enjoy working for the Trust! I haven’t been here that long, but the staff are all so welcoming and helpful and it feels like one big family, everyone helps each other out, and they really care about what they do. 

Being out and about meeting the public is great fun, because we are always learning from other people who share their experiences with us. I also love working up at Llyn Brenig and seeing the ospreys. They have a great team of volunteers who are so passionate and knowledgeable, not just about the ospreys, but about the bigger picture: the wild flowers, the insects and the other birds they see up there”.

People can help support the Trust in many different ways, whether by becoming a member, volunteering, or just by making a purchase from our range of nature-related gifts.

If you are interested in volunteering or helping us at any of the events we attend, please contact Mark.Roberts@northwaleswilidfetrust.org.uk for more details. Or pop along and see Mark or Alice next time we’re at an event near you!