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A creative child who was also interested in science, Helen Walsh was encouraged by her teacher parents to explore all her interests, something that stood her in good stead for her future career.
Helen was fascinated by sharks as a child – though growing up in Stoke she was about as far away from the sea as it is possible to be in the UK. An animal lover and budding conservationist, even then, Helen was also a keen fan of The Really Wild Show, a BBC children's programme. Back then it was presented by Michaela Strachan, Terry Nutkins and conservation campaigner Chris Packham, someone she later met through her work.
Helen gained a first-class BSc in Zoology at the University of Nottingham, then an unexpected phone call led to her enrolling in a Masters in biological photography and imaging, something that resulted in the career she still does.
From the time she left university and stepped into the world of communication and public engagement, Helen has been encouraging people to learn about wildlife conservation, the countryside and their natural surroundings. From starting work for the West Midlands Biodiversity Partnership she went on to work in media and communications for Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust, (fondly known as BBOWT to local supporters), before setting up as a freelance.
Today, Helen splits her time between her own business, Lonely Cottage Productions, and a publications business, Nature Bureau, designing, photographing and writing for scientific, environmental and wildlife-themed projects. In that time she has supported many projects and campaigns and helped organisations raise their profile with the public.
Now a parent, Helen starts and ends her day with walking her children to school, something helped by living in a small but thriving village close to Milton Keynes. It's her children who make her optimistic for the world's future too, since they often come home with information and suggestions about better ways to live.
Lonely Cottage Productions
Nature Bureau
BBOWT (Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust)
BBC The Really Wild Show (archive)
University of Nottingham MSc in biological photography and imaging.
Season 3 Episodes 3 & 4: Stuart Mabbutt, aka The Wildman Parts 1 & 2
Season 1 Episode 8: Jake Fiennes, National nature reserve director and general manager, conservation, Holkham Estate
Season 3 Episode 6: Danielle Neal, City Council procurement officer
Season 1 Episode 5: Sarah Kessell, CEO of The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales
