MY GREAT WEST WAY

Kirstine Bowen, Marketing and Communications Manager at Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, talks to us about her role and life on the way. From helping with fundraising projects protecting wildlife and habitats in Wiltshire (and beyond) to connecting people with n

What do you love most about your job and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust?

Sending out a press release about an important project the Trust is undertaking, which then gets picked up by local or national media is an incredible feeling.

How did you get started in your career?

I started my marketing career in the English language teaching sector and then the book publishing sector. However, my passion has always been for wildlife conservation and environmental causes, and so I made the decision last year to make a change.

What's a typical day like for you?

I keep up-to-date on any projects my colleagues are working on and look for opportunities to get media coverage wherever possible. Most weeks, I'll be writing press releases, arranging radio interviews, but no two days are ever the same.

Are you a city, town or country person?

I am definitely a country person, as I love to be out enjoying nature, going for walks and spotting wildlife. It can do wonders for my mental health.

What does sustainable travel mean to you?

Travelling in a way that limits the negative impact on the local environment and the planet. I always prefer to walk or cycle if I'm travelling shorter distances and for long journeys, whenever possible, I enjoy taking the train.

Describe your perfect adventure on the Great West Way? Combining some walking and wildlife spotting with some water sports. A weekend spent near the lakes in the north of Wiltshire sounds perfect to me. I would visit somewhere like Cotswold Water Park to do some kayaking, followed by a visit to Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's Lower Moor nature reserve to get out in nature.

If you could choose one must-visit attraction along the Great West Way, what would it be and why?

I would spend an afternoon exploring Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's Lower Moor nature reserve. The reserve complex has three lakes, two brooks, ponds and wetland scrapes, all linked together by boardwalks, ancient hedges, woodland and meadows.

What do you think will surprise first-time visitors about the Great West Way?

There are so many interesting and beautiful places to discover! There are also lots of different activities to choose from too, to suit different tastes and budgets. I love the ‘Top 10' lists on the Great West Way website, from the top 10 spectacular views to the top 10 short walks.