Pensthorpe nature reserve appoints new trustee
A nature reserve has appointed a wildlife expert and environmentalist as a trustee to its conservation organisation.
Nick Acheson joins the board of the Pensthorpe Conservation Trust which spearheads important projects to preserve, protect and future-proof habitats and species.
Chrissie Kelley, head of species management at Pensthorpe, said: "As well as being an attraction for all ages, we’re first and foremost an organisation that protects and helps local species survive and thrive for generations to come.
"We’re delighted Nick is joining the board of trustees and we hope to learn valuable lessons from his unique career with endangered wildlife all over the world as we continue our work focussing on Norfolk’s indigenous species."
Working alongside the other trustees and the owners, Bill and Deb Jordan, Nick will oversee the trust’s major conservation schemes.
This includes the rescuing, hatching and releasing of curlews in a local collaboration with the MoD, Sandringham Estate and Wild Ken Hill, which is now entering its third year.
Other responsibilities include raising awareness of the trust’s profile nationally, whilst fundraising and allocating appropriate budgets and timelines to projects.
Nick Acheson said: "Being appointed as a trustee at Pensthorpe is a tremendous honour and something I’m so proud of.
"I was a child, so Pensthorpe played a huge part in my early interest in wildlife and conservation.
I even volunteered there as a teenager, learning to explain nature to people and share my passion with others, so it’s a privilege to hold this role here later in my career and give back to the community.
"Whilst I’ve experienced some epic adventures in continents across the world, Norfolk has a wonderous way of calling me back and it holds a special place in my heart.
"So much so, that my new book The Meaning of Geese, saw me travel 1,200 miles around Norfolk on my mother’s 40-year-old bicycle to follow the journey of a flock of wild geese in the 2020 Winter lockdown.
"It is set to be another busy year for the Pensthorpe Conservation Trust with plenty of important initiatives to shout about.
"Chrissie and her team are dedicated, skilled and at the cutting edge of conservation, so I’m looking forward to supporting them in whatever way I can."
