Meet the team

The role involves collaborating with directors, project teams, and external partners to develop and deliver the Trust's objectives. Clare enjoys the varied nature of her role and the opportunity to work with all the teams and partners across the Mersey catchment.

His experience includes employment with BTCV (now TCV), Cheshire Wildlife Trust, and the Canal & River Trust as well as with Merseyside Environmental Advisor Service where he was lead officer on the development of the Liverpool City Region Ecological Framework. Paul has a BSc in Countryside Management and is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).

Warren started his working life with a 4 year apprenticeship in engineering and later moved into construction (architectural glazing). More recently he worked in building and property maintenance.

Before coming to MRT, Warren was contracted to North West Ambulance Service where he was the area manager of the Ambulance Make Ready teams in Mcr Central and Wigan stations.

Warren has been angler for 4 decades and fished through all the various disciplines. He began fly fishing in his late teens and is really passionate about fly fishing and fly tying. He has fly fished all over the country from the River Tweed, Teviot and Clyde down to the southern chalkstreams of the rivers Test, Itchen and Frome and flies out to Bosnia every year to fish the river Ribnik and Pliva. He started guiding and teaching fly fishing 3 to 4 years ago and he loves passing on his knowledge and sharing his passion for fishing for wild fish.

Before joining the Mersey Rivers Trust Abi gained experience and tickets in practical conservation with Lancashire Wildlife Trust and The Conservation Volunteers. She has a BSc in Chemistry, a diploma in work-based environmental conservation, and is currently studying towards a master’s degree in Conservation Biology.

He is excited to bring his skills and passion to MRT, contributing to meaningful projects that create space for wildlife and benefit the local community.

Amara graduated from Lancaster University in 2022 with a degree in Ecology and Conservation. After university, she spent some time working as a chef in Austria, monitoring sea turtles in Costa Rica, and caring for seals in Ireland, which has given her a broad range of experience. Amara is committed to pursuing a career in conservation, and is looking forward to learning new skills and knowledge during this traineeship.

As a Country Park Warden at various sites in North Wales, Sally was involved in controlling Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) at ecologically sensitive sites, carrying out restoration of limestone grassland and maritime heathland, surveying for rare species and delivering educational programmes to schools. Sally began her career as a volunteer for the Great Basin Institute where she was involved in delivery of desert habitat restoration projects and creating public access in the Great Basin National Park, Nevada, USA.

In her current position as Senior Project Manager, Sally co-ordinates a strategic, catchment-wide response to the threat of INNS in the Bollin Catchment as well as developing projects to address water quality issues in this area. Liaising with over 20 stakeholder members, landowners and farmers she delivers practical conservation work, and also provides educational and training opportunities for local communities.

Andy has over 20 years of experience of green space management and community engagement, most recently working as a Senior Project Manager for Groundwork CLM managing their outdoor education programme and Grozone Community
Garden in Northwich, and before that as a Countryside Warden for the Mersey Valley Warden Service in South Manchester.

She started out as Project Coordinator for the ‘Call of Nature’ project in Alt/Crossens and then became a Project Manager in 2018, leading on various wetland creation, NFM and community engagement projects. Her current role involves overseeing the Alt Catchment NFM programme and undertaking monitoring.

Abbie graduated from Bangor University with a masters degree in Zoology with Conservation and, after the end of the summer season doing outdoor education, she was successful in getting her first industry job as a Project Manager at Mersey Rivers Trust.

Abbie organises events and supports projects in the Upper Mersey catchment, including the Norbury Projects and CaSTCo. Abbie has a few tickets to help with the outdoor work and is looking forward to continue to learn more.

Since then, she has worked at various places, including Shugborough NT, Tatton Park and Reaseheath College, where she gained valuable skills and experience in countryside management. She also holds a foundation degree in countryside management. She enjoys foraging and identifying mushrooms and insects and getting involved in practical work.

A keen interest in helping nature and people work better together, Natasha has an interdisciplinary background in interdisciplinary, Manchester-based consultancy Countryscape, project management of UK-based NHLF-funded and Horizon Europe projects, with Oppla – the EU repository for nature-based solutions. Natasha has joined Mersey Rivers Trust to project manage an EA-funded NFM project based in Alt Crossens, helping to reduce flooding in the Alt River catchment.

The previous summer he graduated from The University of Birmingham with a BSc in Environmental Science where he discovered his passion for freshwater ecology and management. His work for the trust looks to strengthen the Evidence Base for the effectiveness of NFMs at reducing peak discharge, increasing attenuation, and improving the river's overall health.