Alison Steadman © Clearwater Photography
Alison Steadman
National treasure and Olivier Award winning actor Alison Steadman has loved nature ever since she was a child, enjoying all that her small Liverpool back garden had to offer. Now living in London, Alison is a long-time supporter of London Wildlife Trust, where she also became an ambassador in 2016. Alison not only has fantastic film and TV credits under her belt, but she has presented some wonderful nature documentaries – highlighting her passion for the wild.
Alison Steadman says: “I’m extremely proud of all the work the Wildlife Trusts do with the local communities in which they work, but have come to see that collectively, they’re a force to be reckoned with. Their work is important, from big picture landscape restoration, to encouraging and supporting people like you and I to do our bit for wildlife, whether it’s in our garden, or campaigning on issues close to our heart."
I’m extremely proud of all the work the Wildlife Trusts do with the local communities in which they work, but have come to see that collectively, they’re a force to be reckoned with.
Cel Spellman
Cel Spellman
The breadth of Cel’s talents is astounding. He has presented on BBC, BBC Radio 1, CBBC and starred in White Lines, World on Fire and Cold Feet – he’s a tour de force! He’s an ardent advocate for nature, wildlife and the need to address the climate crisis.
Cel says: “I was over the moon when I was asked to be an ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts. It’s an absolute honour and privilege to work with the Trusts and such dedicated people to make a difference to the world that we live in, with a particular focus on all our beautiful, precious wild spaces and wildlife here in the UK. I believe that the strength of the Trusts is how attuned they are to what’s happening in our communities, what is needed and can convey that to decision makers, while also working tirelessly and crucially to protect, grow and nurture all our wild spaces we and the animals that call them home so desperately need. Not to mention they are all there for us to enjoy and protect too.”
Dave Goulson
Dave Goulson
Professor of Biology at the University of Sussex, Dave Goulson is the UK’s leading expert on insects with a focus on bumblebees. He worked on our Action for Insects campaign and is an accomplished author, shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize in 2013, and acclaimed for The Garden Jungle and A Sting in the Tale. In 2006, Dave founded the Bumblebee Conservation Trust to engage the public in taking action to save the species.
Dave says: “There’s no ignoring the science. I think this is the unofficial motto of The Wildlife Trusts, a charity after my own heart, which does so much to raise the profile of the smallest creatures on Planet Earth and the impact that their declines have on the web of life. It was an absolute joy to support their Action for Insects campaign and to share my lifelong passion. I’m delighted to become an Ambassador and support their vital work.”
Inka Cresswell
A marine biologist, wildlife filmmaker and ocean conservationist, Inka has worked on exciting projects worldwide, including Netflix’s Our Oceans, blending science and storytelling to inspire conservation and empower a new generation of ocean advocates.
Inka says: “People often ask me how they can make a real difference for marine life, and the hands-on initiatives The Wildlife Trusts lead, especially during their annual National Marine Week, are a fantastic place to start - from snorkel trails, habitat restoration projects and other interactive experiences.
“My own love for the oceans started right here in the UK, rock pooling along my local coastline. Those rock pools were my first window into the incredible life our oceans hold, and they sparked a curiosity that’s only grown stronger over the years. When The Wildlife Trusts reached out to collaborate, I was immediately excited by the incredible variety of coastal and ocean work they’re involved in and I’m looking forward to helping even more people to connect with the ocean, learn about marine conservation, and get involved in protecting our seas.”
James McVey (c) James Burland
James McVey
Arguably the 'coolest' member of The Vamps, although we might be a bit biased, James has been an advocate for nature and climate for years. His passion is inspiring, and he has seen hundreds of his fans think about their impact on the natural world.
James McVey says: "I'm often on tour, and wherever I go in the UK, it's fantastic to know that there are dedicated, passionate and skilled volunteers at local Trusts protecting and restoring our precious wild spaces. Their work is mindblowing, from conservation to land management, species reintroductions to lobby for protective status. I can't wait to get stuck in and meet some of the volunteers and members across the country."
...it's fantastic to know that there are dedicated, passionate and skilled volunteers at local Trusts protecting and restoring our precious wild spaces.
Louis VI
Louis VI, a music artist, zoologist, field recordist and wildlife presenter and documentary maker is also joining The Wildlife Trusts as an ambassador this spring. Founder of NATURE AIN'T A LUXURY, whose mission is to reconnect people to nature through sound, a combination of Louis' recent immersive exhibition of sonic journeys through rainforest ecosystems - including his paternal homeland of Dominica - his music, and recent TED Countdown talk, are used to explain that biodiverse sound and its effect on our own nervous system is key to saving both nature and ourselves.
Louis VI says: “I hope young people see me, a mixed-race guy, from a rough part of North London that's had all the experiences that they have had and yet is a massive nature geek - and see themselves. It doesn't have to be a massive step, but you need nature and it needs you.
“I'm really excited about reframing what ‘nature’ is in the UK. That Nature Ain't A Luxury - the title of my film coming out with The Wildlife Trusts - but a necessity. I hope it awakens a sleeping herd of young people, particularly from lower economic backgrounds and diasporas, to reconnect to nature.”
Maddie Moate
Maddie Moate
BAFTA Award-winning TV Presenter is known for her upbeat, educational shows from Cbeebies, Do You Know? to BBC Earth's Unplugged and Springwatch Wild Academy! Maddie has also been making online educational content for the last ten years and has seen over 30 million views across her science and technology content. Maddie supported 30 Days Wild 2021, hosting our Kids Quiz on the Big Wild Weekend. We're so happy that Maddie will be an ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts, and to start her role off, she has written for our Wildlife Watch Magazine's 100th Issue.
Mya-Rose Craig (c) Oliver Edwards Photography
Mya-Rose Craig
Environmentalist and birder, 20 year-old Mya-Rose first started writing articles for The Wildlife Trusts when she was just 13. Since then, she has written many thought-provoking pieces about nature and diversity in the conservation and environmental sector. Mya-Rose founded Black2Nature to encourage more children and young people from minority ethnic backgrounds to engage with the natural world and conservation. She was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of Bristol in 2020.
Mya-Rose says: “The Wildlife Trusts have had a really positive influence on me as I've grown up. They have nurtured my love of all things wild and have encouraged me throughout. As an environmentalist and climate campaigner it’s rare for a charity to encompass all the areas that I love, but I think The Wildlife Trusts do exactly this. I’m really proud to have been asked to become an Ambassador and I can’t wait for us to make some real progress on the ecological and climate crises together."
As an environmentalist and climate campaigner it’s rare for a charity to encompass all the areas that I love, but I think The Wildlife Trusts do exactly this.
Rhiane Fatinikun MBE
Rhiane is an award winning outdoors advocate and community organiser. She founded Black Girls Hike to challenge the stereotypes and lack of representation in the outdoors. Since then, BGH UK have gone from strength to strength, launching groups nationwide and running regular hikes, training days and outdoor activities.
Rhiane is passionate about our natural world and social inclusion. On joining The Wildlife Trusts she said:
"I'm really excited to be joining The Wildlife Trusts as an Ambassador. People need nature and I know myself how spending even 5-10 minutes a day outside brings a calmness and inner peace, it’s an amazing reset! I'm a firm believer that nature is for everyone and I look forward to working to encourage more people of all backgrounds and abilities to get outdoors. I'm also aware that nature needs our help because we're losing precious wild spaces more than ever before. I love visiting my local reserves in Cheshire and I'm excited to see the work that The Wildlife Trusts are doing right across the UK bringing nature back on a landscape scale.”
Richard Walker OBE
The natural world needs allies from all sectors and Richard has been championing nature and the environment both personally and professionally for many years now. Richard knows the Wildlife Trusts well and is the Patron of Cheshire Wildlife Trust.
Richard says: “I’m very passionate about protecting the natural world. My family and I spend as much time outdoors as we can, we’re lucky to have the countryside so easily accessible for us. I’m very proud to be an ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts, the work that they do across the UK is awe-inspiring. It’s amazing that two-thirds of the population are within walking distance of a Wildlife Trust reserve, but often we don’t realise it. The innovative ways they get people to engage with the nature they have around them is incredible, I can’t wait to support more of this in the coming years.”
Sophie Pavelle (c) Eleanor Church
Sophie Pavelle
Adventurer and science communicator Sophie shares her passion for wildlife and nature with thousands of fans through her incredible social media profile. Sharing the quirkier stories from the natural world in Sophie’s unique and engaging communication style, she has spoken at a number of Wildlife Trust events. Alongside Hannah Stitfall, Sophie completed a 300-mile trek, ‘Hike for Nature’ raising funds for their local trusts and they have plans to arrange another, equally demanding challenge next year.
Sophie says: “I’ve worked with a number of Wildlife Trusts to engage young people across the country and empower them to campaign and to champion wildlife. Whilst supporting the Trusts, I’ve been able to see first-hand some of the incredible work that they’re doing with our wild spaces and to protect our wildlife. I’ve seen where people’s donations go and the incredible work they support – knowing just how vital these donations are, spurred Hannah and I on when we did our Hike for Nature last year raising funds to support Cornwall Wildlife Trust and Devon Wildlife Trust.”
Whilst supporting the Trusts, I’ve been able to see first-hand some of the incredible work that they’re doing with our wild spaces and to protect our wildlife.