Meet the staff: Lydia Baxter

 Lydia Baxter is Wilder Ouse Project Officer. Emma Chaplin caught up with her recently:

Tell us a bit about yourself

I was born in Exeter and I think we moved 12 times during my childhood. My mother and grandmother and I moved to Littlehampton when I started primary school, and that is where I live again now, with my cat and two Labrador/Huskies. We moved here last year.

I’ve always had a keen interest in animals. My bug obsession aged four led to mini terrariums in my bedroom, much to my mother’s disgust. I also had a wider appreciation of being outdoors though, exploring and hiking. That would always be what I’d choose as a treat. I went to Nottingham Trent Uni to study Wildlife Conservation, then volunteered with the Jersey Zoo Durrell Conservation Trust, the Wolf Conservation Trust, and my work there was around animal husbandry and being an ambassador for wolves. I was also a public tour guide, running visitor engagement events. I was an Assistant Ranger at Creswell Crags in Nottinghamshire, then worked with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, on a reserves officer traineeship. Finally, I got the job as Wilder Ouse Project Officer for Sussex Wildlife Trust.

What drew you to this role?

The scale of the project, it’s a larger area than I’ve ever been involved in before. It can make a real difference. We plan to develop excellent relationships with landowners, give more power and a voice to the people, as well as getting them involved. It will be great to see how many local people want to make a difference.

How does Wilder Ouse differ from the Sussex Flow Initiative (which preceded this new project)?

It’s broader in scope. SFI was about Natural Flood Management, which we’re happy to do as well. We also look at lots of different angles, such as habitat creation. We want to encourage natural regeneration, see what wildlife is present and what needs extra help. We are building a nature recovery network which will focus around wildlife corridors and pollinator highways. We are part of the Beaver initiative and the Pine Marten reintroduction as well. 

Who is working with you on this wide-ranging undertaking?

Fran Southgate is the manager of the project. There is potentially so much work, we will need to carefully decide on priorities.

Where is your favourite wild space in Sussex?

I love the Seven Sisters for hiking and taking my dogs for a walk.

What’s your ideal Sunday afternoon?

I like to keep life interesting and do something different. I don’t like routine. So any activity that gets me out and moving. Weather isn’t important. I love rain. Paddleboarding, hiking, rock climbing, or a cup of tea on a nice hill.

Read about the launch of the Wilder Ouse project here.