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Wildlife
- Close
- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Wild places
- Close
- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
What we do
- Close
- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
Who we are
- Close
- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
Success stories
- Close
- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Get involved
- Close
- - There are so many ways you can help save endangered species. Fancy taking part in a survey, joining us on a wildlife event or becoming a regular supporter?
Shop
- Close
- - Support our work in our shop with a range of charity gifts, home-ware, cards and more. 100% of the profits go directly to help wildlife both in the UK an overseas.
Donate
- Close
- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

Home // International Women’s Day 2020: Becky Priestley

International Women’s Day 2020: Becky Priestley

Establishing new red squirrel populations in Scotland

Lost from most of the UK, reds need help in areas where grey squirrels are currently not present. Becky is releasing reds into newly planted forests in the Highlands.

How did you come to lead your conservation team?

I gained a BSc in Ecology in 2005 and then an MSc in Conversation Biology in 2008. In between and afterwards I spent a number of years volunteering on various wildlife conservation projects around the world – bears in North America and Poland, turtles in Costa Rica and cetaceans in Spain, before gaining my first paid seasonal job as a Peregrine Protection Officer with the Scottish Wildlife Trust in 2010. I then had a couple of other short term wildlife contracts before beginning permanent employment with Trees for Life in 2012, and spent three years working in marketing!During that time I designed and helped fundraise for our Red Squirrel Reintroduction Project which I have led since 2015.

What has been your biggest challenge so far?

Our red squirrel translocations are carried out seasonally, in spring and autumn. Each translocation involves 2.5 months of intense fieldwork with long hours, lots of travelling and a lot of logistics to co-ordinate. By the end of each season I’m always pretty exhausted!

What has been your biggest achievement in the field in the past year?

We have now carried out eight red squirrel translocations and our annual monitoring has shown that all the populations are flourishing – breeding successfully and expanding throughout the available habitat. Looking at maps of red squirrel distribution prior to the project and now, and seeing all those new populations marked on the map, is incredibly satisfying.

What would you say to aspiring women who want a future in conservation?

Conservation is, sadly, one of those fields where there aren’t many junior paid positions and so getting your foot on that ladder can be a long and frustrating struggle. Experience is key so try to decide early on which species or field you want to work with/in and volunteer as much as you can in that specific area. Make as many contacts as you can and keep knocking on doors. Perseverance is imperative but dreams can come true!

View Becky’s project

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