Meet our Trustees: Louise McLoughlin
Tell us a bit about yourself
I’ve lived in Sussex for four years so I am a bit of a ‘blow in’, but am delighted to have made Upper Beeding my permanent home having fallen in love with Sussex’s landscape and coasts. I’ve lived in lots of places and always loved exploring nature and wildlife, from Devon to Yorkshire and even a stint in Japan.
I’m a marketer by day, currently leading UK Digital Strategy for a global automotive company - so I know a little about the significant challenge of achieving a net zero future and transformation.
My happy place is out on my paddleboard or walking the woods or South Downs.
Thank you for becoming a Trustee. What drew you to this role?
Firstly, I wanted to do something to protect and restore wildlife and nature in this incredible county I have made my home. I moved to Small Dole initially during the pandemic and Woods Mill became my second home. I’ll never forget hearing my first Nightingale! Sussex is an incredibly special place with some unique landscapes. I love the coast - so I was really interested in all the marine and river work in particular.
As a beginner birder I’m definitely not an ecologist - thankfully we’ve got some amazing staff and fellow Trustees for that. But when I saw the Trust was looking for Trustees to help with digital transformation, I thought it might be a good way to use my skills and give something practical back. And of course, a chance to learn so much from the Trust and all its people - particularly about nature restoration at an individual and landscape scale.
How are you finding it so far?
It’s been fantastic. The Trust is at a really pivotal point, ready to bring its new Strategy to life. I have seen first hand the passion and commitment to restore nature at the Trust. There are some huge challenges if we’re to help achieve 30% of Sussex restored for nature and 1 in 4 people in Sussex taking action for nature - but I am inspired by that challenge.
The people I have met so far have been so dedicated and passionate - and I can’t wait to meet and listen to more members, staff members and volunteers as my tenure gets going.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing Sussex Wildlife Trust?
I think paralysis and cynicism in society towards the state of nature is a huge challenge. We’re faced daily by really difficult news about climate change and the state of nature in the UK. It’s easy to feel helpless or that it’s such a big problem that we as individuals can’t make a difference or that it’s all now too late. But EVERY positive thing we do for nature through the Trust can make a big difference - so I’d love to support inspiring others to take action - either by growing membership, engaging younger people or even encouraging other people to become Trustees. It’s critical that anyone who cares or worries acts positively and uses the next decade to make a difference.
What are your particular areas of interest?
Of course engaging more people and helping the Trust to find new ways to engage with its key audiences - and I believe that inspiring younger people is critical to the future is the Trust and to restoring nature.
Oh - and anything that I can learn to take me from hapless amateur to semi credible naturalist is welcome!
Which is your favourite reserve and why?
Woods Mill will always be special to me. It was a place of solace after the death of a family friend. But I love Rye Harbour Nature Reserve too [pictured above] - and am making it my mission to visit every reserve this year.
I grew up near the coast so all forms of aquatic mammals, coastal wildlife and flora make my heart sing. I love the Mustelid family and Otters were always a favourite of mine in Devon. So when I moved here I was sad to hear how rare they had become in Sussex in the last 30 years. Hopefully we can restore our waterways and support their return.
Tell us something about yourself most people won’t know
I’m a very amateur artist and usually can’t help myself with a wildlife painting or drawing when I have some spare time.