Sarah Lonsdale

Sarah joined the YDRT in February 2024, and is your typical nature enthusiast with a knack for plant and bird identification.

After completing a Zoology BSc, Sarah continued at the University of Leeds to complete a MSc in Biodiversity and Conservation. Her journey led her to the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust where she completed a year’s placement in practical conservation before settling in at the North York Moors National Park Authority. For two and half years, Sarah managed and delivered a range of conservation and river restoration projects, including looking after the fascinating freshwater pearl mussels on the River Esk. She has experience in partnership working, developing and delivering projects to address in-channel barriers to fish migration, teaming up with farmers and landowners to restore and create habitat, and delivering an aquatic species monitoring programme, collaborating with citizen scientists to survey fish and invertebrate populations.

Sarah is now focussing her work on the Nidd and Swale catchments. When she’s not out helping to protect our precious rivers, you’ll find her hiking mountains, camping, and taking a dip in nature’s swimming spots, and, don’t be surprised if you see her on the dance floor with friends!