Member Article

Dream job for Northumbrian Alex

As the countdown to the opening of Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s new Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre begins, Alex Lister has been appointed to the position of Druridge Bay Living Landscapes Officer with responsibility for managing the centre.

Alex, who hails from Ashington, is no stranger to the reserve, having previously been the Trust’s Estates Officer for Druridge Bay, and prior to that, a People & Wildlife Officer, again based at Druridge Bay. He has worked for the wildlife charity since 2005.

The new Wildlife Discovery Centre, funded by National Lottery players through a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), has been painstakingly constructed since 2015 by an army of volunteers, with Alex getting involved with the project since day one - from working with staff, volunteers and contractors physically building the centre to recreating new habitats across the Trust’s five nature reserves along the Bay.

Speaking of his appointment, Duncan Hutt, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Living Landscapes Manager said: “Alex has lived and breathed the construction of the new Wildlife Discovery Centre from day one, so I’m delighted he has been appointed to manage the building given his extensive knowledge of Druridge Bay, the Hauxley reserve and every inch of the new building. I’m sure anybody who visits will have a wonderful experience.”

Built from the landscape and within the landscape, the Centre has been an eco-build with the potential to be the greenest building in the north-east, using locally grown and traditional building materials. Once it is open next month, it will enable the wildlife charity to host an exciting programme of recreational, educational and volunteering activities designed to re-connect people with nature and the wider landscape. Visitors will be able to park in the brand new car park which has been funded by The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, via The LEADER Programme. The Wildlife Discovery Centre replaces the previous visitor centre which was burnt down in an arson attack in 2010. You can follow the build’s progress at: https://www.facebook.com/HauxleyNatureReserve

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sue Bishop .