Sussex Wildlife Trust have announced Ruby Stothard as the winner of the 2024 David Streeter Wildlife Champion Award.
Ruby is an incredible youth champion who advocates for the recovery of Sussex kelp beds and raises awareness of the importance of marine conservation!
She has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to engaging the public with wildlife, through her voluntary work at Sussex Underwater. Ruby creates impactful videos that highlight local fauna and encourage people to contribute to conservation efforts through our citizen science Sussex Kelp Recording Scheme.
She is particularly dedicated to working with children to improve their ocean literacy and nature connection - which she does in her day job as a Forest and Beach School leader, as well as voluntary work with Wild Coast Sussex and Sussex Underwater delivering ‘Wild Beach’ sessions and ‘Our Sea Forest’ classroom workshops respectively.
She takes meaningful action for nature every day and is an exemplary candidate for this award.
We caught up with Ruby to find out more about what inspires her efforts and get her reaction to winning the award:
What do you love about marine life in Sussex?
‘The Sussex coast is amazing because it’s so varied, and has so many hidden gems. Rockpools in Bognor versus rockpools in Eastbourne are home to unique and diverse ecosystems.’
What do you do with Sussex Underwater?
‘I am part of the Shore Team, making content about the marine life that lives or ends up on our beaches, as well as documenting any kelp that washes up. This information contributes to the SKRP’s records of kelp bed recovery across Sussex.’
What do you like best about volunteering?
‘Being in a lovely community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about protecting what’s precious to us.’
How do you feel about winning the award?
‘I am so very grateful to receive this award. I’ve always had a deep connection to nature, and our Sussex wildlife is truly magical! It is amazing to be a part of protecting it, and inspiring others to learn about and love our environment too.’
What do you plan to do with your prize money?
‘It will go towards a new camera which I will use for wildlife photography, so I can capture and share even more amazing moments in nature! Something I have wanted to do for a long while.’