We're very pleased to be joined by Louise Reynolds as our new 'Nature Tourism Development Officer'

Louise brings her wide range of nature tourism experience and passion for nature connection to the Biosphere team, with a BSc (hons) degree in Tourism from Oxford Brookes University, and an MA from the University of Roehampton, in the Sociology and Anthropology of Tourism, in which she focused on the conservation benefits of nature- and eco-tourism.

After a few years with an Environmental Consultancy, she joined a livelihoods research project with the Overseas Development Group (at the UEA) undertaking field research on the community-benefits of nature tourism in Tanzania and Malawi. Louise then joined the Broads National Park as Sustainable Tourism Officer, working closely with hire boat operators to realign their offer to better reflect the tranquil nature of the Broads.

After a short stint as an Environmental Educator with Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Louise moved to North Devon with her family in 2013 to deliver the highly successful Lynmouth Pavilion Project for Exmoor National Park, developing strong partnerships to showcase Exmoor to locals and visitors through hundreds of activities and events, many of which were knitted closely together with local businesses.

It was in 2020 that Louise was first introduced to the Biosphere team, when she was contracted to deliver a New Audience Development Plan for the Simonsbath area as part of the Biosphere's Biocultural Heritage Tourism (BCHT) Interreg programme, and she went on to organise the BCHT 'Eductour' for visiting tourism businesses from other UNESCO sites.

Re-joining Exmoor National Park, Louise set up a series of weekly 'Welcome to Exmoor' days which connected people with nature for mental health benefits as part of the wider 'FUN' project ('Families United through Nature') which she was co-ordinating.

Alongside her nature-connection and tourism experience, Louise has also developed a good understanding of current issues facing land managers across Northern Devon, project managing a research piece for DEFRA around the Environmental Land Management scheme and running regular workshops on farms to raise understanding of the Countryside Stewardship offers.

Currently, Louise is leading on a partnership project across the South West for UNESCO's UK National Commission, where she has coordinated the launch of a new digital platform for trails accessible by rail 'Explore UNESCO South West Trails', working with Stonehenge, Bristol, Bath and GWR amongst several others.

Louise is very excited by the potential of her new role within the Biosphere team, saying "I am thrilled to be picking up on the brilliant work started by my predecessor Sarah Jordan - the Biosphere Business Partners, business workshops as well as practical toolkits and one-to-one business support. She's laid a great foundation to build from. I am looking forward to meeting tourism businesses, community groups, and land managers across the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere, and to finding ways of working together to develop high quality, sustainable nature tourism, nature based products and experiences that align with the Biosphere’s vision for people living in harmony with nature."

Louise's role will provide tailored one-to-one support, coordinate and deliver group workshops and networking events, and help strengthen a connected nature tourism network that contributes to the local economy while protecting and enhancing the natural environment.