Meet the team: Faye Whiley, Species Recovery Officer

Welcome to our Meet the team series, where we introduce the people behind the Lifescape Project, giving you an insight into who we are, how we work, and why we’re passionate about Lifescape’s mission.

We spoke to Faye Whiley, Species Recovery Social Science Officer…

What do you do at Lifescape?

I’m a Species Recovery Social Science Officer, focusing on social feasibility of species reintroduction projects. Most of my time is spent on social engagement and consultation for The Missing Lynx Project; which involves developing questionnaires, undertaking interviews, and engaging and collaborating with stakeholders. My role is varied and no two days are the same! I also work on the social feasibility study for the Cumbrian White-Tailed Eagle Project, which is exploring the return of white-tailed eagles to the Cumbrian landscape.

What did you do before?

Before joining the team at Lifescape, I’d completed a MSc in Conservation Project Management. I’m now a PhD student in Biodiversity Management at the University of Kent. My research focuses on human dimensions of lynx reintroduction and explores perceptions of lynx across Europe and the UK, including mitigation measures (ways to prevent livestock loss) in the British landscape. I had just completed my data collection as this role was advertised and am now undertaking this role alongside finishing my PhD.

What’s your favourite thing about working at Lifescape?

My role and the team! I feel incredibly lucky to work within a multi-disciplinary team of such dedicated, hard-working and interesting people. The team bring a range of expertise to work on ambitious environmental projects. My role as a social science officer involves a variety of tasks and lets me delve into my interest on human-wildlife coexistence.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my animals, as well as reading literature and contemporary fiction. I love hiking and tracking wildlife.

Tell us about your favourite encounter with nature

There are many to choose from but a standout moment for me was when I visited Banff National Park in Canada. I had spent the morning exploring the area and joined a wildlife canoe tour in the afternoon but had not seen much wildlife. In the evening, I took a stroll down to the river and spotted a Canadian beaver sitting at the river’s edge nibbling a branch. It kept an eye on me and stayed for some time nibbling away. I sat and watched quietly, enjoying the moment, with no one else around.

If you could be any animal, which would you be and why?

A Pallas’s cat – they’re super fluffy (having the densest fur of any cat in the world) and spend their lives living in the mountains!