Marine Conservation and Education specialist
Beccy MacDonald-Lofts
Beccy MacDonald-Lofts
Freelance Marine Conservation & Education Consultant
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Beccy is an enthusiastic marine conservationist and educator who has experience working across sectors. Her unique perspective and strong adaptable skill set enables her to work innovatively to produce proven results and is considered to be asset to any project.
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Beccy's recent work has included funding applications to support the next stage of the Bristol Channel and Severn Vision, community surveys and report to support the successful £1million Ocean Seagrass Rescue project and research into 30x30 for the marine environment of the UK.
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Beccy is a Trustee for MARINELife, sits on the Council of the Porcupine Marine Natural History Society (PMNHS) and is the independent Chair for the Wye Navigation Advisory Committee, Chair for Plastic Free Monmouth and sits on the National Seahorse Advisory Group.
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For further information please see Beccy's employment history and LinkedIN account.
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Hello, I'm Beccy!
I'm a Marine Biologist and Educator with a passion for conservation and engagement. My career to date has allowed me to develop a unique range of skills that I bring to develop innovative and pragmatic ways to achieve project outcomes.
As a qualified Marine Biologist, Coastal Manager and Science Teacher, I've worked in formal and environmental education, both in the UK and in Madagascar, managed and delivered seabirds, seahorse and marine mammal surveys, produced Lundy's Marine Management Plan and Marine Monitoring Handbook, written numerous articles, made several television appearances, produced numerous educational resources, redeveloped The WIldlife Trust's citizen science project 'Shoresearch' and delivered the first comprehensive Intertidal Biotope survey of the Somerset coast for Somerset Wildlife Trust.
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If you would like to get in touch to discuss any opportunities or simply just to say Hello! please click on the button below.
CAREER HISTORY
Employment
2019- Present
Freelance
Marine Conservation & Education Specialist
Working with National and International organisations and charities on marine conservation, citizen science and educational provision projects.
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National Conservation Charity – research into marine conservation designations, development of database, data trawling, assimilation and analysis of data. Development and delivery of associated report.
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Ocean Seagrass Rescue – support North Wales Wildlife Trust through development of community surveys and report for the Lottery Fund application.
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Involvement within the Defra funded Championing Coastal Coordination projects:
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Lead for the development of the Severn Vision Delivery Framework on behalf of Somerset Wildlife Trust
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Lead for the Coastal Inquiry theme development work for the Coastal Communities APPG on behalf of Coastal Partnerships Network
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Co-lead for the development of the North Devon Marine Nature Recovery Plan on behalf of North Devon Biosphere
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Redevelopment of the North Devon Marine Wildlife Aware Accreditation Scheme for North Devon Biosphere and Lundy.
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Marine strategy, policy and funding projects for Wildlife Trust Wales.
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Development of The Seahorse Trust's online Biology, Ecology and Conservation Course.
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Development and production of Audience Development Plan, Interpretation Plan and supported the Access and Plan for National Lottery Heritage Fund Stage 2 application for the successful Cheshire Wildlife Trust bid for £540k Our Dee Estuary project.
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Shoresearch training sessions on behalf of Somerset Wildlife Trust.
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Redevelopment of 'Shoresearch', The Wildlife Trust's intertidal citizen science project.
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Ongoing development and delivery of The Seahorse Trust's Seahorse Survey Course.
2020- Present
LGA Coastal SIG/ South Tyneside Council
LEad Officer
Supporting the membership coastal councils to raise the profile of the challenges experienced by these unique communities and explore opportunities to enhance them, and improve their resilience into the future. Engagement with governmental bodies including the Environment Agency and MMO to ensure coastal communities are given a voice. Co-secretariat for the APPG for Coastal Communities. Further information on the work of the SIG can be found here: LGA Coastal SIG
2019-Present
Environment Agency
independent chair for wye navigation advisory committee
Support communities of the Rivers Wye and Lugg to enhance and protect these unique, and ecologically and economically, valuable natural resources.
2016-2019
Somerset Wildlife Trust
Coastal Survey & data officer
Deliver the first comprehensive intertidal biotope survey for the Somerset Coast, producing a detailed biotope map, report and public engagement resource 'StoryMap'.
2013-2016
The Lundy Company/ The Landmark Trust/ Natural England
warden/head of conservation
Deliver the island's conservation and educational objectives in relation to its' marine, terrestrial and historic landscapes. Including species/habitat monitoring, education, engagement events, funding bids, media and development of Marine Management Plan.
2011-2012
Operation Wallacea
Coral Reef Ecology Lecturer
Teaching students about the importance of coral reef systems including seagrass meadows and mangroves, the biodiversity found within these systems and the issues surrounding their conservation.
2010-2011
Marwell Wildlife
Post 14 education coordinator
Responsible for development, management, delivery of Post 14 Education provision: conferences, teaching sessions, resources alongside staff development. Delivery of Foundation - Key Stage 3 teaching sessions. Visitor engagement resources and talks.
2009-Present
The Seahorse Trust
Survey diver/Volunteer Education Co-ordinator
Volunteer Seahorse Survey Diver. Seahorse Survey Course and Education Co-ordinator managing, organising and delivering Trust's courses and producing educational resources. Trustee 2019-2022
2007-2009
Sacred Heart High School
Teacher of biology
Teaching of Key Stage 3 Sciences, GCSE Biology, GCSE Applied Science, BTEC Science and A-level Biology to approx 1,000 students per annum. Review and development of teaching resources including full development of new Key Stage 3 and GCSE Science resources and schemes of work for new curriculum. Form tutor. Developed a BA Crest Awarded Science Club, Planet Sci-Cast Team and Leading Edge projects.
Education
2006-2007
University of Newcastle
PGCE Secondary biology
2003-2005
University of Hull
1999-2003
University of Stirling
MSc Estuarine & Coastal Science & Management
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BSc (Hons) Marine Biology
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Please note that this is an abridged version of Beccy's CV, for her full Career history please see her LinkedIn profile
PORTFOLIO
Public engagement resource for Somerset Wildlife Trust connected to the intertidal biotope survey.
Link to Wildlife Trust's Shoresearch page.
Plan produced for Lundy Management Forum.
Article produced for Exmoor Magazine.
Film looking into "Living and working on Lundy Island"
Article written for Scuba Magazine.
Educational resource pack produced for The Seahorse Trust.
Piece with Helen Skelton on the Intertidal Biotope Survey for Somerset Wildlife Trust (photo credit).
SKILLS
Public speaking
Marine species & habitat surveys
Visitor engagement & events
Public communications
Report writing
Conservation Management Plans
Strategic development
Educational resource development
Researcher
Interactive engagement
Evaluation strategies
Audience Development
Facilitator/ Chair
Access and Interpretation
EXPERTISE
EDUCATOR
I'm passionate about enthusing others to interact and engage with their environment. They hold the power to conserve and protect our world, and to positively engage them we must use effective learning strategies.
As I've worked in both formal and environmental education, with students of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, I have a strong toolkit that I can use to ensure any educational and engagement project is a success.
CONSERVATIONIST
As a Marine Biologist, my first love is the marine world. Throughout my career I've had to apply my expertise to also conserving terrestrial and historic environments.
I strongly believe in applying an holistic approach to conservation management in order to achieve an effective conservation strategy.
Having personal experience in conservation management means that I am able deliver plans that are both engaging for stakeholders and realistic.
INNOVATIVE & STRATEGIC THINKER
My open-minded approach to any project I engage with, provides me with the opportunity to advocate innovative ways to deliver measurable outcomes.
Whether it is the production of plans for conservation management, audience development, interpretation and access, creating Citizen Science programmes, developing field work methodologies or forming educational resources, I am able to develop the most appropriate and successful strategy.
Anne Halpin,
Somerset Wildlife Trust
Beccy is an extremely knowledgeable marine biologist with excellent experience of field surveys and biotope mapping on the Somerset Coast. She has a good understanding of local policy and has developed a network of contacts in Somerset and North Devon. She is passionate and dedicated and I have learnt a lot about marine conservation from her. I have found her easy to manage and always pleasant to work with.
Sarah Howells,
formerly of North Devon Gazette
I had the pleasure of working with Beccy for years while I was at the North Devon Gazette and she was Lundy warden. Beccy wrote a monthly 'Letter From Lundy' for the paper, which was an insight into island life. The letter was also delivered on time and packed with interesting knowledge. She made even the most scientific terms easy-to-understand, and had a vast knowledge of all the marine and bird life on the island. She was always an expert we could turn to and a pleasure to work with.
Neil Garrick-Maidment,
The Seahorse Trust
Beccy is a highly motivated and driven person who is very focused on her work. She devotes a great deal of of time into background research, which allows her to give her best and allows her to speak and advise with confidence because she knows what shes is talking about. Being well organised Beccy can utiise her time very efficiently which allows her to get the best results from her research, her work and out of her work colleagues. Having work extensively with Beccy I could not recommend her higher and look forward to working with her for many years.
Geoffrey McCarthy,
formerly of Marwell Wildlife
A thorough and passionate individual in all areas of her work in science communication for both GCSE and A-level students. Always approachable in her manner working with her colleagues and was happy to discuss areas of support.
Steve Mewes,
Somerset Wildlife Trust
Beccy has a wide and deep knowledge of the marine environment from policy to advocacy to the underlying science. She is a huge asset to any organisation committed to protecting this vital habitat.
Jan Whittington,
Coastwise North Devon
On 10th October 2019 Beccy gave an extremely interesting talk to Coastwise North Devon about Seahorses. Before the talk began we knew very little about Seahorses. The talk started off really well with Beccy's enthusiasm showing through! She kept us all rivetted throughout the hour and at the end we felt we could have carried on, it was so interesting. We just wish these delightful little animals would live in our waters in North Devon, they don't as far as we know.
Beccy is a confident, enthusiastic speaker who knew her subject extremely well. We look forward to asking her back again to speak on another equally interesting subject.
Mark Ward,
Somerset's Brilliant Coast Manager, Somerset Wildlife Trust
Beccy has recently led several training days for the Somerset Wildlife Trust to equip local volunteers with the skills needed to carry out Shoresearch surveys (part of a nationwide citizen science project run by Wildlife Trusts throughout the UK). Beccy was recently involved in leading on the revision of the ShoreSearch survey methodology and resources, so her expertise in intertidal ecology and taxonomy, her clear explanations and her interactive, 'hands on' delivery approach was perfect for working with participants with a range of previous experience from complete beginners to local experts.