Beth joined the trust in 2020, as Project Support Officer. She has a degree in Environmental Science with a focus on biodiversity and ecology. She has a broad background in conservation, having volunteered and worked for several environmental charities. Beth has a broad experience ranging from Wildflower Surveys for Northumberland National Park Authority to Loggerhead Turtle conservation in Greece. In her spare time, she pursues many outdoor activities including climbing and mountaineering and is passionate about enhancing upland habitats for both wildlife and people.
Beth has previous work experience with upland habitats and is working on our Carbon Connects project in partnership with the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The project involves peatland restoration, which is crucial in the fight against climate change. Healthy peatlands are a huge carbon sink, storing millions of tonnes of carbon in just England alone which if dried out would release Carbon Dioxide – a key greenhouse gas – into the atmosphere. Historically peatlands have been drained and burned intensively to improve their use for farming, something which is nknown to be damaging and has degraded many of our peatlands, leaving them eroded and bare. Our work with this project focuses on growing sphagnum moss – a key peat building species – so that it can be spread onto areas of bare and eroded peat in the fight to restore these unique and fragile habitats and their incredible carbon storage capacity. Another key aspect of the project is engaging with upland farmers to help them farm in a more environmental and sustainable way and positively manage peatlands and wildflower meadows which both have many ecosystems services.