Environment Trust, an environment and heritage charity based in South West London, has boosted its team with the appointment of Francesca Batt as Nature Conservation Manager, as the charity expands its work conserving local green spaces.
Francesca’s role involves developing the charity’s green projects for volunteers, managing the Duke of Edinburgh awards programme and engaging schools, universities and the local community in projects. Francesca will also assist with the grant’s applications process.
Prior to joining, Francesca was based in Nosy Be, Madagascar for seven months, leading volunteers in marine conservation projects, including surveys of coral reefs. Before this, she was a duty manager at The Look Out Discovery Centre, a family science and nature centre in Berkshire where she wrote and delivered science education material to school and public groups.
Francesca has a degree in marine biology from the University of Plymouth, which she completed in 2017. During her studies she spent a year working and studying at the University of Florida, which included doing research, outreach and education work. During this time she carried out habitat health assessments and research across a wide range of habitats and worked with different groups at a turtle rehabilitation hospital.
Commenting on her new role Francesca says,
“I was attracted to the job as I wanted to work with nature in a hands-on outreach role. I really like what the Environment Trust is doing and felt my skills and interests fitted well. I have experience leading volunteers and delivering outreach sessions, as well as working with schools and community groups.
“I’m really looking forward to working on the various projects we have coming up and spreading the word about the fantastic work of Environment Trust and why looking after our local green spaces is so important.”
Berny Simcox, CEO of Environment Trust says,
“We’re delighted to welcome Francesca to the team. Francesca is very experienced working with local groups, schools and volunteers both in the UK and abroad. Her enthusiasm in engaging people in conservation work will be a great asset to the charity.”
Current Environment Trust projects Francesca is working on include the Duke of Edinburgh monthly volunteer sessions for young people (14 years old and above) to do hands on conservation work in green spaces. This enables them to gain Duke of Edinburgh volunteer hours in fun and practical sessions.
Also the Kingston Green infrastructure, energy and water project working with residents and community organisations in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames to improve green infrastructure and conserve energy and water.
For more information about Environment Trust visit www.environmenttrust.org
