The full time staff team at the Trust is made up of a dedicated mix of paid and largely volunteer placements. All our staff are skilled in their fields and work for the Trust full time but most do so at their own cost and give a huge amount to help support Alderney's Wildlife. With this in mind it is very important to us to credit both volunteers and paid staff equally, especially as they share responsibilities equally. The Trust would ask that everyone please respect and value the effort made by all our staff and, where possible, please let them know you appreciate them!
Roland Gauvain: Trust Manager
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Roland moved from his position as Conservation Officer for the States of Alderney (the island’s local government) to become the AWT's Manager at its inception in 2002. A graduate of Stirling University, his interests lie across a wide range of conservation and ecological subjects, although he has a passion for Alderney’s cultural landscape.
Perhaps most notably Roland continues to use his background of driving tractors, animal husbandry and qualifications as the aux skipper for the Trust's boat, as an excuse for not spending time in the office.
Responsibilities: Overall responsibility to the AWT’s Directors / Development of Conservation Objectives / Management of AWT sites / Staff Manager / Marine Operations / Manager of the AWT's Consultancy (AWTE) / Director Living Islands Ltd.
Lindsay Pyne: Trust Secretary
Lindsay was born and grew up only 35miles from Alderney on the island of Jersey. She moved from there to London where she developed a career in banking administration, before returning to the Channel Islands and becoming a full time Alderney resident in 2002. She became one of the AWT's first Conservation Volunteers that same year and was elected its Hon. Secretary in 2005.
Lindsay is involved in many aspects of the AWT’s day-to-day running, both in the office (including membership, treasury and the shop), and out in the field where she assists with the Conservation Volunteers and is involved in terrestrial survey work, primarily for flora (she is a keen amateur botanist) and for the Butterfly Monitoring Scheme.
Responsibilities: office administration and accounting / Hon. Secretary / Membership management / Conservation Team support / Botanical survey / UKBMS.
Dr. Mel Broadhurst: Living Seas Coordinator
Mel graduated with a BSc in Coastal Marine Biology in 2003 from Hull University and an MSc in Wildlife Biology and Conservation in 2005 from Edinburgh, Napier University. Mel moved to Alderney in 2007, working as the trust’s ecologist until mid-2008, where she began a PhD with Imperial College London. The PhD examined the influence of marine tidal energy development upon the marine environment, for which was based on Alderney and the Orkney Isles. Her current research interests focus on how marine species interact with natural and anthropogenic pressures and how to quantitatively record mobile species’ behaviour within the marine environment. In between academic life, Mel has worked on a range of marine ecological projects and academic field courses across different tropical and temperate locations, including Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago, France, Scotland and Lancashire.
As the trust’s Living Seas Officer, Mel is responsible for delivering the trust’s Living Seas programme, which comprised of implementing marine research and surveys with key groups and universities. This includes engagement activities with local and UK government, other bodies and the public on marine issues (i.e. MPAs, renewables, fisheries and recording marine life). Mel is also responsible for the ecological works associated with the trust’s consultancy firm, Alderney Wildlife Trust Enterprises Ltd.
Responsibilities: implementing the AWT Living Seas programme/ public awareness of marine activities / AWT ecological consultancy work-streams/ Ramsar support/ Terrestrial Ecologist and ARC support.
Claire Thorpe: People and Wildlife Officer
Claire studied biology at the University of Oxford, graduating in 2013. Her main focus being ecology modules, leading to a dissertation on the effects non-native tree species can have on biodiversity. A year off included volunteering for the Wildlife Trust in the Scilly Isles and teaching English in China.
Claire then completed her MSc in Conservation at UCL. Her thesis looked at the policy and objectives behind a marine protected area in Jamaica, and research involved interviews with politicians, researchers and community members. Post-graduation Claire worked for a natural health charity as their campaign coordinator, gaining experience in article writing, social media and communications.
Responsibilities: Project Manager Living Island: LIVE / Educational Development / Trust Communications / Ramsar Support / Fundraising and sponsorship
James Spilsbury: Marine Ramsar Officer
Responsibilities: Ramsar Site Management / Trust Ornithologist / Support Living Islands: LIVE / Educational Support / Contact RSPB, BTO
Rachel Conway: Conservation Officer
Born in the America, grown in Scotland, Rachel’s interest in wildlife developed through her travels and volunteer projects overseas and in the UK. She studied Wildlife Conservation at the University of Kent, graduating in 2014. Her final year project focused on public awareness of birds of prey in Scotland, from which sparked an interest in the policies behind conservation.
In 2015 she did an MSc in Conservation Science & Policy at the University of Exeter. Travelling to Perth, Australia to do research on the relationships between governing bodies and wildlife rehabilitators - the project involved efforts to improve the conservation of an endangered species while increasing public awareness.
Responsibilities: Alderney Community Woodland / Reserves Support / Coordinate Conservation Volunteers / Assist in green spaces, footpaths and public site maintenance / public awareness
Carlos Tornero-Pastor: Living Seas Officer
I started chemical engineering at university in 2002 but after 4 years decided to change to what I really liked which was marine sciences. I graduated in 2011, and then moved to The Netherlands to work at the Seal Hospital. I worked there seasonally until 2016, combining this with a commercial diving course and other small jobs and wildlife courses.
As a part of the marine team I help with marine projects and conducting surveys, but I also like to get involved in the volunteers sessions, conservation team and enjoy hands-on work and get dirty!
Responsibilities: Marine sampling / Supporting Reserves work / Living Seas project support / Ramsar support