National Marine Week Showcase - Meet Tom

National Marine Week Showcase - Meet Tom

For this year's National Marine Week, we are celebrating the work of our young marine conservationists at The Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales!

Meet Tom

Tom is one of our newest #WILDFundraisers who has been working hard to raise funds for our marine conservation work. For National Marine Week, we asked Tom about his fundraiser, his journey into marine conservation and why he is passionate about protecting marine life. 

Tom, WILDFundraiser

Tell us about your journey into marine conservation!

"From starting with a background in electronic engineering, I transitioned into the field of conservation and now I am working in a very cool and supportive research group at Exeter University towards my Masters by research in biologging. I also do a lot of wildlife and conservation storytelling from my adventures, this can take the form of photography, films, writings in magazines or illustrations and prints, so it's a really good split!

I love being able to have the split of creative and scientific projects. Being able to bring the two together to communicate messages of conservation to wider audiences can be so powerful in gaining awareness in marine conservation."

Tom, WILDFundraiser

Tell us about your Marine Week fundraiser!

"I'm super excited to be working with The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales as a #WILDFundraiser. To celebrate the diverse Welsh marine life during National Marine Week, I’m going to be hand printing a limited number of marine inspired tees with 10% of the proceeds going to the conservation of seabirds, seals, cetaceans and everything in-between!"

Tom's tees, WILDFundraiser

Tom's design for his Marine Week tees. 

What's your favourite marine species?

"Since working with Celtic Deep in the Welsh waters, I have grown a very soft spot for the curious Razorbills and Guillemots that have to come and check you out, I feel like they don't get enough love! Also a very big fan of seals!"

Seal

Grey seal - Tom Knowles

Why are you passionate about protecting our seas? 

"I don't really understand how you can't be? We all use the sea so much in so many different ways and there is so much marine life we don't always see that need support and protecting."

Tom, WILDFundraiser

Inspired by Tom's fundraising journey? Find out how you can become a #WILDFundraiser! 

If you'd like to buy one of Tom's tees, head over to his website