Meet the staff: Archie Taplin
Meet Archie Taplin, our new Trainee Community Engagement Officer
Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m a wildlife conservationist with a passion for wild places and creative storytelling. My background includes a degree in wildlife conservation at Bristol UWE, working in Cornwall as a marine wildlife guide, habitat management and a side hustle of freelance animation for wildlife charities and running workshops. In my spare time, I love a good adventure, whether that’s snorkelling through kelp forests looking for marine life, or being tucked up in a bivvy bag under the stars listening to Tawny Owls.
Why were you interested in becoming a trainee?
I was drawn to this opportunity to apply my existing skills while learning new ones, gaining valuable training and insight into areas of conservation I’ve always wanted to explore. I’m driven by a desire to connect people with nature and to help biodiversity thrive. Through this role, I hope to gain the tools and confidence to push those goals forward. Overall, this traineeship is a great chance for me to grow.
What does the role involve?
As Trainee Community Engagement Officer, I’ll be helping to make The Deneway nature reserve more accessible and welcoming for the local community. I’ll also be supporting conservation work that improves biodiversity, all while undergoing formal training and working alongside different teams across the Trust. It’s a real mix of hands-on work, learning, and community engagement.
Tell us about your volunteering experience.
I volunteered with Avon Wildlife Trust while studying Wildlife Conservation at university. That experience showed me the importance getting local communities involved in conservation. I saw how the Trust brought people together and gave them the tools to engage with, link up and protect their local wild spaces. For many, it opened new opportunities to experience nature and boost their wellbeing in the process.
What are you looking forward to in this role?
I’m looking forward to increasing my knowledge and practical skills, working around the inspiring people who make up Sussex Wildlife Trust, and exploring the reserves and wildlife that inspires them.
What did you have for breakfast?
Usually, a hearty bowl of porridge will do the trick, however, I skipped breakfast today to check on the moth trap with Bob (Foreman) and Millie (Brand) from the Biodiversity Record Centre, it was well worth it (I didn’t eat any of the moths for breakfast, before you ask).
What’s your favourite wild place in Sussex and why?
Being new here, everywhere I explore becomes my new favourite spot. However, I have seen Otter tracks on the River Arun, and with my fascination for mustelids it’s a good contender.
What would make for a perfect Sunday afternoon?
A perfect Sunday afternoon would be spent being active, either down a river, in the sea or up a tree, oh, and having a chuckle with friends and family (didn’t mean that to rhyme).
Tell us something about yourself most people don’t know
Most people don’t know that I’m an animator. I’ve created animations and artworks for wildlife charities in many different styles. I often like to incorporate an element of nature, whether that’s using the sand on the beach or burning each frame onto planks of wood, it’s one of the more creative ways I like to connect myself and others to nature when I’m not out in it.
For more of Archie's animation work, see here