Get to know our new Coast Explorer Intern, Lucy! She will be working on everything marine, from intertidal conservation, to offshore wind farms.
Hello! My name is Lucy Lee and I am one of the new Coast Explorer Interns at Adonis Blue.
My Background
I have just relocated to Maidstone for this new position, but I was brought up in Nottinghamshire. I have an innate love for wildlife and the outdoors. Growing up, I spent much of my free time walking my dog in the Peak District, cycling in Sherwood Forest and pond dipping in the Trent Valley. Every summer, I visited the North Norfolk coastline and spent many happy days collecting mussel shells and razor clams, as well as observing common and grey seals. My cousins and I had such fun wiggling our toes in blow lugworm casts; it is only now I’m older, that I’ve discovered what appeared to us as walnut whipped sand, was actually waste material from the worm’s digestive tract (to put it politely)!
Blow lugworm cast
This upbringing in the countryside fostered my interest in the natural world, leading me to study biology at the University of Sheffield. This provided me with some amazing opportunities, including conducting a research project at Danum Valley Field Centre in the rainforest of Malaysian Borneo. I graduated with a 2:1 and achieved a first in my dissertation on the future of sustainable agricultural intensification in the fight against climate change.
Holding a spiderhunter after dawn mist netting in Borneo
During the Covid-19 pandemic, I worked as a carer, and when restrictions finally lifted, I went travelling for four months across Vietnam, Cambodia, New Zealand and Japan. I was fortunate enough to swim with wild dusky dolphins, spot young male sperm whales, snorkel along a coral reef with tropical fish and swim in coastal waters of bioluminescent algae. Upon returning, I became a practical conservation volunteer for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
A sperm whale surfacing off the coast of New Zealand (you may have to look very closely, due to my poor photography skills!)
The Coast Explorer Internship
Passionate about tackling the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis, I was thrilled to discover the Coast Explorer Internship. The six month programme involves four partner organisations:
- Adonis Blue Environmental Consultants – part of the Kent Wildlife Trust Group, this ecological consultancy are spearheading net gains in biodiversity in Kent and beyond
- The Crown Estate – this London based estate agents counts the majority of the seabed in their property portfolio and are therefore responsible for leasing it out to offshore wind developments
- Vattenfall – a Swedish renewable energy company, determined to enable fossil free living within one generation
- Canterbury City Council – responsible for coastal management, the council also play a key role in education and community engagement
I was initially attracted to the internship by the huge variety of experience on offer from these incredible partners, who work at the cutting edge of the marine environment. I am excited to gain practical survey experience, whilst working with a range of industry experts and environmental NGOs. I am looking forward to developing my understanding of marine planning and policy, renewable energy, and ecological restoration. Over the course of the internship, I will carry out an independent research project, as well as up to two mini projects. I am over the moon to be starting the internship and will endeavour to bring you more updates soon.
Check back soon to find out my project choices!
My first Shoresearch survey at Botany Bay. Shoresearch is The Wildlife Trusts' national citizen science survey of the intertidal shore, which helps to inform the designation of Marine Conservation Zones.
