“Science and gender equality are both vital for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Over the past decades, the global community has made a lot of effort in inspiring and engaging women and girls in science. Yet women and girls continue to be excluded from participating fully in science.” – the opening statement of the United Nations on the annual observance of #InternationalDayofWomenandGirlsinScience

At CRT we are leading the way with a pioneering women-lead team, including our passionate and driven CEO, Danielle Dewe, and Ruth Moss our Herefordshire Wildlife Monitor who is at the heart of our fight to protect and regenerate wildlife on CRT farms.  

Ruth said: “I’ve always loved being outdoors in nature, I think as a child my dream job was to be an explorer, and since starting my role at the CRT I’ve always thought that being a Wildlife Monitor is a bit like being a wildlife detective, constantly exploring different habitats and keeping my eyes and ears open for interesting goings on in the natural world.”

Ruth continues: “I chose to study International Wildlife Biology at the University of South Wales because I find wildlife fascinating and wanted to understand how I could help tackle the biodiversity crisis and protect the species which need our help. This was a wonderful course that covered so many interesting aspects of life and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn anything from zoology to conservation genetics.”

Women are pioneers in the world of nature and conservation, from the likes of Dr Jane Goodall, to Virginia McKenna, to Greta Thunberg. At the CRT, we are proud to continue this legacy.

Ruth is at the start of an incredible career, but she has advice for others wanting to pursue a role in protecting the environment: “Ask questions, learn from your peers in the field and don’t compare yourself to people that have been in the field much longer than you because science is all about learning from one another and you will never stop learning. Read as much as you can in whatever form (journal articles, blogs, wildlife magazines), and join talks and webinars. Most of all believe in yourself. Being a woman in STEM can feel daunting and intimidating at times, but trust the people who are rooting for you. You deserve to be here.”