Project Seagrass

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    OUR TEAM

    OUR TEAM

    EXECUTIVE BOARD

    TEAM

    AMBASSADORS

    TRUSTEES

    PATRONS

    Founded in 2013 by four scientists, we have grown into an interdisciplinary team all working towards the shared vision of a world in which seagrass meadows are thriving, abundant and well managed for people and planet.

    EXECUTIVE BOARD

    EXECUTIVE BOARD

    TEAM

    AMBASSADORS

    TRUSTEES

    PATRONS

    Founded in 2013 by three scientists, we have grown into an interdisciplinary team all working towards the shared vision of a world in which seagrass meadows are thriving, abundant and well managed for people and planet.

    EXECUTIVE BOARD

    Dr Leanne Cullen-Unsworth

    Chief Executive Officer

    Leanne is an interdisciplinary marine scientist with over 20 year’s experience working collaboratively with people and communities to help conserve and restore nature. She plays a pivotal role within Project Seagrass leading programmes that help to understand the connections between people and the environment. Her research explores how we can co-develop conservation solutions that promote such interactions. Leanne’s work on seagrass ecosystems has taken her around the globe working on multiple elements of seagrass ecosystem services with a particular focus on fisheries support and food provisioning. She also investigates drivers of seagrass decline internationally. The current focus of her work is collaboration and cooperative research across scales to improve the success of seagrass protection and restoration.

    Dr Richard 'RJ' Lilley

    Chief Development Officer & Co-Founder

    RJ is passionate about education, particularly marine science communication, community capacity building and outdoor learning. RJ has spent the last decade conducting research in marine ecosystems. In this time he has primarily worked in the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas and the North Atlantic Ocean. He is a qualified PADI and BSAC scuba-diving instructor and a recreational freediver. 

    Dr Benjamin Jones

    Chief Conservation Officer & Co-Founder

    Ben is an interdisciplinary marine scientist, bridging social and ecological research to help conserve seagrass meadows for people and planet. Ben has over 10 years of experience working with seagrass ecosystems and has conducted collaborative and participatory seagrass research and conservation projects in Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America. Ben is interested in working to enhance societal understanding and appreciation of the importance of seagrass meadows for communities, particularly as a source of food-security. Ben is the current President of the World Seagrass Association.

    Ben takes a people-centric approach to conservation and is passionate about using his position of privilege to champion and amplify under represented voices within the seagrass science and conservation community.

    Dr Richard Unsworth

    Chief Scientific Officer & Co-Founder

    Richard is an Associate Professor in marine ecology at Swansea University where he uses field, desk based and aquaria research to solve real world problems in seagrass conservation and restoration.  He also has a particular interest in understanding the ecosystem service value of seagrass meadows, and has worked extensively on examining the role they play in supporting fisheries. Richard’s expertise lie in the ecological structuring processes of seagrass meadows which has led to his leading role in seagrass restoration across the UK having led the UKs first major seagrass restoration project over in West Wales. He has experimented with the methods behind seagrass restoration for almost a decade, leading to his major role in driving the UKs first seagrass nursery. Richard has almost twenty years’ experience of research in marine systems and conducts collaborative interdisciplinary research in Europe, Australia, the Caribbean and SE Asia. As a leading voice in seagrass conservation, Richard has authored over 140 academic articles and reports and had his work featured in the global media on a number of occasions. In 2013, Richard collaborated with the team to transform this academic research into conservation action by helping set up Project Seagrass.

    Dr Leanne Cullen-Unsworth

    Chief Executive Officer

    Leanne is an interdisciplinary marine scientist with over 20 year’s experience working collaboratively with people and communities to help conserve and restore nature. She plays a pivotal role within Project Seagrass leading programmes that help to understand the connections between people and the environment. Her research explores how we can co-develop conservation solutions that promote such interactions. Leanne’s work on seagrass ecosystems has taken her around the globe working on multiple elements of seagrass ecosystem services with a particular focus on fisheries support and food provisioning. She also investigates drivers of seagrass decline internationally. The current focus of her work is collaboration and cooperative research across scales to improve the success of seagrass protection and restoration.

    Dr Benjamin Jones

    Chief Conservation Officer & Co-Founder

    Ben is an interdisciplinary marine scientist, bridging social and ecological research to help conserve seagrass meadows for people and planet. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with seagrass ecosystems and has conducted collaborative and participatory seagrass research and conservation projects in Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America. Ben is interested in working to enhance societal understanding and appreciation of the importance of seagrass meadows for communities, particularly as a source of food-security. Ben is the current President of the World Seagrass Association.

    Ben takes a people-centric approach to conservation and is passionate about using his position of privilege to champion and amplify under represented voices within the seagrass science and conservation community.

    Dr Richard Unsworth

    Chief Scientific Officer & Co-Founder

    Richard is an Associate Professor in marine ecology at Swansea University where he uses field, desk based and aquaria research to solve real world problems in seagrass conservation and restoration.  He also has a particular interest in understanding the ecosystem service value of seagrass meadows, and has worked extensively on examining the role they play in supporting fisheries. Richard’s expertise lie in the ecological structuring processes of seagrass meadows which has led to his leading role in seagrass restoration across the UK having led the UKs first major seagrass restoration project over in West Wales. He has experimented with the methods behind seagrass restoration for almost a decade, leading to his major role in driving the UKs first seagrass nursery. Richard has over twenty years’ experience of research in marine systems and conducts collaborative interdisciplinary research in Europe, Australia, the Caribbean and SE Asia. As a leading voice in seagrass conservation, Richard has authored over 140 academic articles and reports and had his work featured in the global media on a number of occasions. 

    OUR TEAM

    Dr Chiara Berteli

    Associate Scientist

    Chiara is a marine biologist with over 15 years’ experience of coastal and marine ecological survey and research including boat-based marine mammal, fisheries and passive acoustic survey, SCUBA and snorkel surveys of temperate coastal habitats (mainly seagrass) as well as tropical coral reef. Interests include seagrass ecology, benthic and fish ID, acoustic monitoring of cetaceans, BRUVs, marine conservation, monitoring and management in specific reference to the marine renewable energy sector. Chiara has recently finished a part-time PhD looking at environmental drivers of change in seagrass meadows alongside her full-time job at SEACAMS2 at Swansea University. More recently she has been working on habitat suitability modelling (HSM) in collaboration with Project Seagrass for Sky Ocean Rescue and WWF, Natural England and now as part of the SMMR ReSOW project using HSM for aiding decision making for seagrass restoration sites.

    Lucy Coals

    Project Support Officer

    Lucy has been working on seagrass since 2015. She joined Project Seagrass in 2021 as a Project Support Officer for the International Climate Initiative (IKI) Seagrass Ecosystem Services Project, where she used her in-field experience to build the capacity of national partners across the Indo-Pacific to implement seagrass research and conservation, in order to provide local food security and support marine biodiversity. Alongside Project Seagrass, Lucy is conducting a PhD at Deakin University, in collaboration with Project Seagrass and Swansea University, which focuses on optimising and upscaling seagrass restoration efforts.

    Corrine Cox

    Communications Officer

    Coming soon!

    Dr Ally Evans

    Associate Scientist

    Ally is a marine ecologist with 15 years experience across different marine science sectors. Having worked for NGOs in the tropics and government bodies in the UK, she decided research was where she could have the most positive impact on the marine environment. She undertook a PhD at Aberystwyth University in 2016 and has worked as a postdoc at various institutions since. Her research has mostly focused on marine habitat enhancement and restoration. Previously leading the Seagrass Ocean Rescue North Wales restoration project at Swansea University, she now joins the ReSOW project working to understand how social and governance factors can be used to support seagrass restoration.

    Emma Fox

    Project Officer (Marine Survey Lead: Essex)

    Emma started working for Project Seagrass as a volunteer, before joining as a Marine Biology Assistant in June 2021. In her role she has been conducting research into how seagrass health is affected by water quality and nutrients as well as taking part in fieldwork and outreach. Emma has a BSc degree in Biological Sciences and a MSc in Marine Systems and Policies from the University of Edinburgh.

    Carly Green

    Nursery Propagator

    Carly is a horticulturist and botanist who looks after the seeds and plants in the Project Seagrass nursery. Prior to this, she grew rare native plants at the National Botanic Garden of Wales and was involved in the establishment of the National Seed Bank of Wales. She is a passionate advocate for the importance of plants’ role in protecting nature, people and planet, and a promoter of British wild flowers and their conservation.

    Stijn den Haan

    Research Assistant: Seagrass Restoration (North Wales Lead)

    Stijn is an interdisciplinary marine ecologist from The Netherlands and works on the restoration of seagrass meadows in North Wales. Studying marine ecosystems during and after his MSc in Ecology & Evolution, his enthusiasm for restoration was sparked when he found himself restoring coral reefs in the Maldives. Upon realising that effectively restoring ecosystems requires knowledge beyond biology, he returned to university to obtain an Erasmus Mundus MSc in Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management, and developed a thesis on engaging local communities in European restoration projects. Working shoulder to shoulder in a diverse team, he is eager to restore seagrasses for the benefit of people, nature, and climate. Stijn is a PADI scuba instructor and, when not working, you will probably find him either cycling, hiking, or enjoying jazz.

    Jo Hughes

    Volunteer and Outreach Officer

    Coming soon

    Amel Hursham

    Project Support: North Wales

    Coming soon!

    Conor Laing

    Fieldwork Logistics & Diving Co-ordinator

    Conor joined Project Seagrass in July 2022 as our Fieldwork Logistics & Diving Coordinator, and is an Honorary Research Assistant at Swansea University. He holds a Master’s Degree in Biology from the University of Leeds, and previously worked at Mote Marine Laboratory over in the U.S.A., monitoring Florida Manatee populations. A fully qualified HSE SCUBA Diver and PADI instructor, Conor coordinates the Project’s SCUBA diving operations, manages field equipment, and organises logistics for our fieldwork across the UK.

    Andrew Lee

    Finance Manager

    Andrew joined the Project Seagrass team in 2023 with over 20 years’ experience in the Charity sector. His financial and wider management background in the sector adds real value to the organisation. Having spent much of his childhood in rural mid-Wales, his love of nature and the environment goes without saying – creating the perfect match with Project Seagrass. And my happy place? Well – that would have to be standing on the top of a mountain come rain or shine!

    Dr Celia Marlowe

    Operations Manager

    Celia joined Project Seagrass in May 2023 in a new Operations Manager role. A passionate conservationist and diver, she holds a PhD in Marine Science from the University of East Anglia and has extensive programme management experience.

    Anouska Mendzil

    Research Assistant: Seagrass Restoration (Solent Lead)

    Anouska is a multi-disciplinary scientist with over 12 years’ experience in academia undertaking coastal and marine research, including boat-based marine mammal acoustic surveys (RYA day skipper, Marine Mammal Medic), fish tagging (Home Office licensed) and tracking, seabird surveys (JNCC accredited) and coastal monitoring using dGPS and UAVs (CAA GVC operator for fixed-wing and multi-rotor).
    As seagrass restoration lead for the Isle of Wight and The Solent, Anouska is currently collaborating with Sky Ocean Rescue and WWF undertaking scientific seagrass restoration trials in several locations. Anouska more recently worked on UKRI SMMR ‘Restoration of Seagrass for Ocean Wealth’ ReSOW project at Swansea University leading the fisheries supporting and provisioning services aspect of the project, researching commercial fish species within UK seagrass meadows creating a Seagrass Residency Index (SRI).

    Becky Noakes

    Project Support: Solent

    Coming soon!

    Emma Povey

    Office Manager and HR Lead

    Coming soon!

    Sam Rees

    Research Assistant: Scaling Up Restoration

    Sam works at the forefront of Seagrass Ocean Rescue as the technical lead, pulling on ten years of experience working in conservation, he has worked as part of the core team responsible for planting 1 million seeds in Dale, West Wales. He has a BSc in Marine Biology from Bangor University as well as a MSc in Marine Environmental Protection. Having worked as the Benthic Marine Biology Technician on the SEACAMS2 project, Sam formed part of the team that developed BoSS lines, the biodegradable restoration method used in Seagrass Ocean Rescue. Sam is also a qualified PADI Divemaster and is currently training to become a Project Manager.

    Louise Swindell

    Fundraising and Relationship Manager

    Originally from South Devon, UK, Louise loved growing up by the sea and is now living on the South Wales coastline. Louise brings her experience of fundraising, passion for empowering communities and love of the natural world to the role of Fundraising and Relationship Manager. Louise focuses on nurturing and developing relationships whilst also cultivating new opportunities. Louise is a keen gardener and always happy to chat on the phone or in person with supporters and donors so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

    Flo Taylor

    Stakeholder Engagement Officer

    Flo joined Project Seagrass in March 2023, following work in marine & freshwater environmental consultancy and work with Câr–y-Môrregenerative ocean farm. She has experience working with communities across projects, running workshops, and volunteering as a Community Rep for Surfers Against Sewage. She has an MSc in Sustainable Aquaculture Systems, and a BSc in Biology. She loves the interaction between social and environmental components of conservation and restoration. Outside of work, she loves surfing and running on Gower beaches.

    Dr Esther Thomsen

    Marine Science Lead: Scotland

    Esther works within the core Restoration Forth team to restore seagrass meadows in the Firth of Forth and explores further seagrass restoration opportunities across Scotland. She has been working on seagrass since 2014 and is interested in the impact of anthropogenic nutrient pollution and eutrophication on seagrass meadows and their ecosystem services. After investigating tropical seagrasses in the Caribbean in her MSc thesis and in the South China Sea in her PhD, both at the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research and the University of Bremen, Germany, she will now apply her knowledge to restore temperate seagrasses. She has a lot of fieldwork experience and is a certified European Scientific Diver.

    Eve Uncles

    Project Logistics and Warehouse Coorinator

    Eve initially joined Project Seagrass in 2019 as a volunteer, later joining the Seagrass Ocean Rescue team as a Marine Laboratory Assistant, working on the WWF restoration in Dale and assisting in outreach. She has a BSc in Geography from Swansea University, where she began the crossover to working in aquatic habitats, studying the effects of deforestation in Borneo and agricultural runoff in South Wales on freshwater macroinvertebrates. Returning to the team in late 2020, she is now working as a Project Support Officer. Eve is currently undertaking her scuba training with BSAC.

    Dr Betti Walter

    Marine Science Lead: Scaling Up Restoration

    Coming soon

    Katy Waring

    Senior Conservation Officer

    Coming soon

    Emily Yates

    Seagrass Nursery Lead

    Emily joined Project Seagrass and the nursery team in 2022, initially as a Husbandry Assistant before taking over as the Nursery Lead later in the year. She has a BSc from Bangor University in Marine Biology, and brings skills, knowledge, and experience from working as a senior aquarist on conservation and breeding projects for native blue lobsters, Crawfish and both Short-snouted and Spiny seahorses.

    OUR AMBASSADORS

    OUR AMBASSADORS

    Miranda Krestovnikoff

    Project Seagrass Ambassador

    Miranda is a television and radio broadcaster, author and professional diver.  She first graced our screens as the wildlife expert on the BBC2 series “COAST”. Since then she has presented nearly 400 films for The One Show and many of Radio 4’s “Tweet of the Day” episodes. 

    Miranda was President of RSPB for 9 years and her support of conservation and wildlife charities includes Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Marine Conservation Society,  The Seahorse trust and Shark Trust.  

    Mother of two, she lives with her family, 2 dogs and 7 chickens, just outside Bristol.

    She has a passion for marine wildlife, in particular the waters around the UK. Having dived many times in areas rich in seagrass, she is delighted to become a trustee of Project Seagrass and hopes this will help to raise the prices of this rich and diverse marine habitat. 

    Miranda Krestovnikoff

    Project Seagrass Ambassador

    Miranda is a television and radio broadcaster, author and professional diver.  She first graced our screens as the wildlife expert on the BBC2 series “COAST”. Since then she has presented nearly 400 films for The One Show and many of Radio 4’s “Tweet of the Day” episodes. 

    Miranda was President of RSPB for 9 years and her support of conservation and wildlife charities includes Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Marine Conservation Society,  The Seahorse trust and Shark Trust.  

    Mother of two, she lives with her family, 2 dogs and 7 chickens, just outside Bristol.

    She has a passion for marine wildlife, in particular the waters around the UK. Having dived many times in areas rich in seagrass, she is delighted to become a trustee of Project Seagrass and hopes this will help to raise the prices of this rich and diverse marine habitat. 

    OUR TRUSTEES

    Rosslyn Barr

    Chair of Trustees

    Rosslyn loves nature, and has always been inspired by the ocean. She is an avid traveller with happy memories of rock-pooling on Scottish Islands, whale watching, penguin spotting in the Falklands and watching baby turtles dash towards the ocean during a stunning Ascension sunrise.

    A zoology graduate, specialising in marine biology, Rosslyn spent 20 years in the corporate world focused on strategy execution and change management. The volunteering she did with Sharklab Malta and the Edinburgh Shoreline project opened her eyes to the impact that marine conservation work could have. She has supported the environment sector since, allowing her to make best use of her experience and networks, alongside a life-long knowledge and passion for nature conservation.

    Her current roles include Trustee Secretary for Edinburgh Shoreline Project SCIO, Advisory Group Member and restoration spokesperson for Coastal Communities Network Scotland (CCN), Steering Group member for the Restoration Forth project and volunteer for Sharklab Malta. In the non marine world, she is Chair of the Board of Bathgate Hills Venture. In all roles she aims is to create opportunities for people from all walks of life to enjoy our beautiful oceans and participate in their conservation.

    She is delighted to be joining the Project Seagrass Board of Trustees. As a shark lover, she knows how important seagrass is as a safe environment for all marine creatures, having seen a rescued Nursehound shelter in Neptune grass (Posidonia oceanica) in Malta. She was also fascinated to learn that the gaels in Scotland used seagrass to thatch their roofs as it was stronger than straw!

    Dr Sarah Pilgrim

    Trustee

    Growing up on the outskirts of London doesn’t naturally lend itself to coastal conservation, however Sarah forged her lifelong connection with nature through family holidays and day trips to the seaside, and endless walking through the Kentish countryside. This connection was cemented at the age of 18 when Sarah went to work and live in one of Canada’s national parks. 

    Sarah returned to study for a degree in ecology and environmental biology followed by a PhD in environmental science, which specifically looked at the connection between people and the natural resources they depend upon. This led to a career spanning academia, public and private sectors, all focused upon the sustainable use of the natural environment. Since 2012, Sarah has worked specifically on the management of UK fisheries and was the Director of Sustainability for an international fishing company working to advance the sustainability agenda of UK commercial fisheries.

    Sarah’s love of nature and wildlife have led her to travel extensively and experience ecosystems and communities all around the world, from Canada and North America, to Indonesia, India, China and Vietnam.

    She now lives in Norfolk with her family and dog and spends every free moment enjoying the endless miles of Norfolk beaches hoping to instill the same love of nature and wildlife in her children.

    Sarah is thrilled to have been asked to join the Board of Trustees for Project Seagrass and to have the opportunity to be involved in an organisation that is working tirelessly to conserve and protect such valuable ecosystems and their associated species  for future generations. 

    Jake Davies

    Trustee

    Growing up along the coast of Pen Llŷn, North Wales has meant that the marine environment has always been a big part of Jake’s life. His passion for the marine environment led him to study Marine Biology at Bangor University, where he’s been part of numerous projects to better understand a range of marine species and habitats from seagrass to sharks. In 2016, Jake joined Project Seagrass as an Intern where he assisted in data collection and spreading awareness of seagrass in North Wales. Following the internship, he continued to work closely with Project Seagrass as a regional ambassador.

    His passion for marine life, exploring the underwater world and technology doesn’t stop there. As a professional scuba diver and underwater videographer (JDScuba), he reveals what’s found beneath the waves to wider audiences via social media and TV. Bringing together his enjoyment of research and providing engaging content to bridge the two areas together.

    He is honoured to be joining the Project Seagrass Board of Trustees. He hopes to bring his hours of knowledge gained from spending time amongst the seagrass leaves, experience of media and use of different technologies to help in engaging wider audiences in finding out more about the importance of Seagrass habitats and the valuable groundbreaking work carried out by Project Seagrass.

    Mike Furness

    Trustee

    Mike’s early career aspiration was to have a job that required wellies, so it wasn’t too surprising that he ended up with an ecology degree and boots to suit. After an early spell in the water industry, Mike’s career has been split between forestry, countryside access and environmental consulting, with a recent focus on environmental impact assessments.

    In 1992 he set up, and still helps to run, a volunteer conservation group managing an award-winning local nature reserve in Oxfordshire. Mike hopes that his long experience of working with volunteers, of practical conservation and environmental projects, and hundreds of grant applications will be of value to Project Seagrass.

    Picking seagrass spathes by torchlight at 3am in water barely 4″ deep, Mike was surprised by a matchbox-sized creature repeatedly knocking his searching fingers. A plucky, over-ambitious ‘squidlet’ was letting Mike know who’s home this was. Young, squid became a regular delight during early morning seed collection.

    Rosslyn Barr

    Chair of Trustees

    Rosslyn loves nature, and has always been inspired by the ocean. She is an avid traveller with happy memories of rock-pooling on Scottish Islands, whale watching, penguin spotting in the Falklands and watching baby turtles dash towards the ocean during a stunning Ascension sunrise.

    A zoology graduate, specialising in marine biology, Rosslyn spent 20 years in the corporate world focused on strategy execution and change management. The volunteering she did with Sharklab Malta and the Edinburgh Shoreline project opened her eyes to the impact that marine conservation work could have. She has supported the environment sector since, allowing her to make best use of her experience and networks, alongside a life-long knowledge and passion for nature conservation.

    Her current roles include Trustee Secretary for Edinburgh Shoreline Project SCIO, Advisory Group Member and restoration spokesperson for Coastal Communities Network Scotland (CCN), Steering Group member for the Restoration Forth project and volunteer for Sharklab Malta. In the non marine world, she is Chair of the Board of Bathgate Hills Venture. In all roles she aims is to create opportunities for people from all walks of life to enjoy our beautiful oceans and participate in their conservation.

    She is delighted to be joining the Project Seagrass Board of Trustees. As a shark lover, she knows how important seagrass is as a safe environment for all marine creatures, having seen a rescued Nursehound shelter in Neptune grass (Posidonia oceanica) in Malta. She was also fascinated to learn that the gaels in Scotland used seagrass to thatch their roofs as it was stronger than straw!

    Dr Sarah Pilgrim

    Trustee & Board Secretary

    Growing up on the outskirts of London doesn’t naturally lend itself to coastal conservation, however Sarah forged her lifelong connection with nature through family holidays and day trips to the seaside, and endless walking through the Kentish countryside. This connection was cemented at the age of 18 when Sarah went to work and live in one of Canada’s national parks. 

    Sarah returned to study for a degree in ecology and environmental biology followed by a PhD in environmental science, which specifically looked at the connection between people and the natural resources they depend upon. This led to a career spanning academia, public and private sectors, all focused upon the sustainable use of the natural environment. Since 2012, Sarah has worked specifically on the management of UK fisheries and was the Director of Sustainability for an international fishing company working to advance the sustainability agenda of UK commercial fisheries.

    Sarah’s love of nature and wildlife have led her to travel extensively and experience ecosystems and communities all around the world, from Canada and North America, to Indonesia, India, China and Vietnam.

    She now lives in Norfolk with her family and dog and spends every free moment enjoying the endless miles of Norfolk beaches hoping to instill the same love of nature and wildlife in her children.

    Sarah is thrilled to have been asked to join the Board of Trustees for Project Seagrass and to have the opportunity to be involved in an organisation that is working tirelessly to conserve and protect such valuable ecosystems and their associated species  for future generations. 

    Jake Davies

    Trustee

    Growing up along the coast of Pen Llŷn, North Wales has meant that the marine environment has always been a big part of Jake’s life. His passion for the marine environment led him to study Marine Biology at Bangor University, where he’s been part of numerous projects to better understand a range of marine species and habitats from seagrass to sharks. In 2016, Jake joined Project Seagrass as an Intern where he assisted in data collection and spreading awareness of seagrass in North Wales. Following the internship, he continued to work closely with Project Seagrass as a regional ambassador.

    His passion for marine life, exploring the underwater world and technology doesn’t stop there. As a professional scuba diver and underwater videographer (JDScuba), he reveals what’s found beneath the waves to wider audiences via social media and TV. Bringing together his enjoyment of research and providing engaging content to bridge the two areas together.

    He is honoured to be joining the Project Seagrass Board of Trustees. He hopes to bring his hours of knowledge gained from spending time amongst the seagrass leaves, experience of media and use of different technologies to help in engaging wider audiences in finding out more about the importance of Seagrass habitats and the valuable groundbreaking work carried out by Project Seagrass.

    Mike Furness

    Trustee

    Mike’s early career aspiration was to have a job that required wellies, so it wasn’t too surprising that he ended up with an ecology degree and boots to suit. After an early spell in the water industry, Mike’s career has been split between forestry, countryside access and environmental consulting, with a recent focus on environmental impact assessments.

    In 1992 he set up, and still helps to run, a volunteer conservation group managing an award-winning local nature reserve in Oxfordshire. Mike hopes that his long experience of working with volunteers, of practical conservation and environmental projects, and hundreds of grant applications will be of value to Project Seagrass.

    Picking seagrass spathes by torchlight at 3am in water barely 4″ deep, Mike was surprised by a matchbox-sized creature repeatedly knocking his searching fingers. A plucky, over-ambitious ‘squidlet’ was letting Mike know who’s home this was. Young, squid became a regular delight during early morning seed collection.

    David King

    Trustee

    David’s has fond memories growing up and spending hours on holidays exploring rock pools around the coast, wherever the opportunity arose, and later sharing the pastime with his own kids to keep the tradition alive.  He has a passion to play a small part to help save the environment and in marine conservation, believing that by working together we can make a real difference in the world.

     

    He is a qualified accountant with over 35 years’ experience of working with local and global organisations in senior roles.  His expertise in financial management and accounting will support the goals of Project Seagrass as the charity expands, and to help it achieve its full potential to further benefit our Seagrass meadows. 



    He has also previously held volunteering roles in local and regional clubs supporting his local community.  He is now proud to be a part of the important work at Project Seagrass as Treasurer Trustee and also looking forward to supporting field activities when possible too! 

    Rob Raimes

    Trustee

    Rob joined the board of Project Seagrass in 2023. His career was as a commercial lawyer in a central London law firm but he’s always been passionate about the natural world and wildlife and ecology in particular. As a boy it started, with rock pools (and crabs) and ponds (newts and grass snakes) as well as working one summer in a French zoo specialising in rare species breeding programmes. Latterly it’s fuelled by worries about the biodiversity crisis that is all around us. 

    Rob is a keen snorkeller and scuba diver and is as concerned about our oceans and coastlines as he is committed to and excited by the goals and work of Project Seagrass.

    Rob has founded and now spends quite a bit of time managing a 25 acre rewilding project in Norfolk. He is thrilled to see amphibians, pollinators, dragonflies, birdlife and a host of other wildlife returning to the rejuvenating habitats being created.

    Dr Bevis Watts

    Trustee

    Bevis has worked in sustainability for more than 25 years, including recycling, conservation and
    banking. He is Chief Executive of Triodos Bank UK and previously Chief Executive of Avon Wildlife
    Trust as well as Head of Business Support at The Waste and Resource Action Programme (WRAP). He
    has held numerous Directorships and Trusteeships and brings a wealth of experience in managing
    fast growing organisations.
    He has been an active conservationist and scuba diver all his adult life and has volunteered on three
    international marine conservation programmes. In 2021 he made nationally significant discoveries of
    wild beavers living and breeding on the river Avon near Bath and authored the book – ‘River Journey –
    searching for wild beavers and finding freedom’ with the author proceeds donated to conservation
    charities. He has also been the author of papers published in academic journals, conference
    proceedings, as well as opinion pieces published in national and international press. He has a regular
    column in the Metro newspaper on how to green your money.
    Like Project Seagrass, he graduated from Swansea University! Bevis has a first-class business degree,
    was awarded the business prize when graduating from Swansea University, holds a PhD in
    Management Science, is a Chartered Environmentalist (MCIWM, CEnv) and a Fellow of the RSA. In
    2022 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration by the University of the
    West of England recognising his leadership in sustainability.

    David King

    Trustee

    David’s has fond memories growing up and spending hours on holidays exploring rock pools around the coast, wherever the opportunity arose, and later sharing the pastime with his own kids to keep the tradition alive.  He has a passion to play a small part to help save the environment and in marine conservation, believing that by working together we can make a real difference in the world.

    He is a qualified accountant with over 35 years’ experience of working with local and global organisations in senior roles.  His expertise in financial management and accounting will support the goals of Project Seagrass as the charity expands, and to help it achieve its full potential to further benefit our Seagrass meadows. 

     

     

     

    He has also previously held volunteering roles in local and regional clubs supporting his local community.  He is now proud to be a part of the important work at Project Seagrass as Treasurer Trustee and also looking forward to supporting field activities when possible too! 

    Rob Raimes

    Trustee

    Rob joined the board of Project Seagrass in 2023. His career was as a commercial lawyer in a central London law firm but he’s always been passionate about the natural world and wildlife and ecology in particular. As a boy it started, with rock pools (and crabs) and ponds (newts and grass snakes) as well as working one summer in a French zoo specialising in rare species breeding programmes. Latterly it’s fuelled by worries about the biodiversity crisis that is all around us. 

    Rob is a keen snorkeller and scuba diver and is as concerned about our oceans and coastlines as he is committed to and excited by the goals and work of Project Seagrass.

    Rob has founded and now spends quite a bit of time managing a 25 acre rewilding project in Norfolk. He is thrilled to see amphibians, pollinators, dragonflies, birdlife and a host of other wildlife returning to the rejuvenating habitats being created.

    Dr Bevis Watts

    Trustee

    Bevis has worked in sustainability for more than 25 years, including recycling, conservation and
    banking. He is Chief Executive of Triodos Bank UK and previously Chief Executive of Avon Wildlife
    Trust as well as Head of Business Support at The Waste and Resource Action Programme (WRAP). He
    has held numerous Directorships and Trusteeships and brings a wealth of experience in managing
    fast growing organisations.
    He has been an active conservationist and scuba diver all his adult life and has volunteered on three
    international marine conservation programmes. In 2021 he made nationally significant discoveries of
    wild beavers living and breeding on the river Avon near Bath and authored the book – ‘River Journey –
    searching for wild beavers and finding freedom’ with the author proceeds donated to conservation
    charities. He has also been the author of papers published in academic journals, conference
    proceedings, as well as opinion pieces published in national and international press. He has a regular
    column in the Metro newspaper on how to green your money.
    Like Project Seagrass, he graduated from Swansea University! Bevis has a first-class business degree,
    was awarded the business prize when graduating from Swansea University, holds a PhD in
    Management Science, is a Chartered Environmentalist (MCIWM, CEnv) and a Fellow of the RSA. In
    2022 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration by the University of the
    West of England recognising his leadership in sustainability.

    OUR PATRONS

    Coldplay

    The band Coldplay are supportive of the mission, vision and values of Project Seagrass. In December 2021, Coldplay accepted an invitation to become the official patrons of Project Seagrass and act as global ambassadors for seagrass conservation on behalf of Project Seagrass.

    “We’re proud to support Project Seagrass. As patrons, we hope to spread awareness about their important work conserving the world’s precious seagrass meadows. This work will ensure that seagrass meadows continue to play a crucial role for wildlife, communities and climate stability.”

    Coldplay

    Coldplay

    The band Coldplay are supportive of the mission, vision and values of Project Seagrass. In December 2021, Coldplay accepted an invitation to become the official patrons of Project Seagrass and act as global ambassadors for seagrass conservation on behalf of Project Seagrass.

    “We’re proud to support Project Seagrass. As patrons, we hope to spread awareness about their important work conserving the world’s precious seagrass meadows. This work will ensure that seagrass meadows continue to play a crucial role for wildlife, communities and climate stability.”

    Coldplay

    DISCOVER OUR WORK

    Read more about what we do to protect seagrass

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