Meet the team: Hannah James, Volunteer - Social Media

Welcome to our Meet the team series, where we’ll 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.

In this post we meet volunteer Hannah James, who manages Lifescape’s social media accounts.

What do you do at Lifescape?

I’m a volunteer: I look after Lifescape’s social media so we can tell people about what we do and connect with like-minded people and organisations.

What did you do before?

In my day job I’m Group Head of ESG for a veterinary company. I did a degree in Environmental Sciences and then specialised in renewable energy for my PhD and early career. I’ve worked in various corporate sustainability roles over the last decade, and through one of them I met one of Lifescape’s trustees. I’ve always been passionate about protecting nature and I loved the sound of Lifescape’s mission so I asked if I could get involved.

What’s your favourite thing about working at Lifescape?

It’s so invigorating and inspiring to be involved in an organisation that’s on the front lines of the fight for nature. It’s also incredibly interesting to hear about Lifescape’s teams are doing: I’m lucky that I get to ask lots of questions about it all when I’m putting together social media posts! I’ve particularly enjoyed learning about the legal aspects of rewilding, and about how litigation is being used to challenge environmentally destructive activities.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Volunteering for Lifescape is an ‘outside work’ activity for me, which I love doing. I love wild swimming, and I’m currently learning to roller-skate which has been a humbling but fun experience! When I need a rest I love to get lost in a book or a video game.

Tell us about your favourite experience/encounter with nature

On a scuba-diving trip in the Farne Islands a few years ago, the adolescent seals were in the mood to play, and were fascinated by anything brightly coloured. They swam behind me playfully biting my bright yellow fins, and one surprised us by popping up on the surface with to investigate the reflective patches on our drysuits! It was great to watch the older seals gliding by in the background as well, and to see the huge puffin colonies from the boat.

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

I recently visited Knepp Rewilding, and the Tamworth pigs there seem to have a great life. Freedom to roam and nothing to do but rootle around to your heart’s content being a biodiversity hero – what a dream.