Exciting news for nature in Newcastle! We welcome Emily Anderson to the Ouse Burn Way team as the city’s first dedicated Ouse Burn Ecologist, a role aimed at improving wildlife habitats and connecting local communities with the Ouse Burn Way.
Funded by the Reece Foundation, Emily’s role marks a major expansion of Wildlife Ways, a three-year, community-led project working to boost wildlife, enhance green spaces, and empower residents to take action for nature along this seven-mile urban corridor.
In the months ahead, Emily will be meeting local groups, listening to stories about the Ouse Burn, and helping turn ideas into practical action. With Wildlife Ways, those small steps add up, helping both people and nature thrive together.
Emily will lead a programme of:
- Wildlife monitoring and recording
- Habitat improvement projects
- Working closely with local communities to enhance nature on their doorstep
Her work will strengthen biodiversity across one of Newcastle’s busiest green spaces, helping wildlife thrive while giving people the chance to engage with nature.
Anne Reece, Chair of the Reece Foundation and Ouse Burn Way project board, said:
“The Ouse Burn Way is a truly special part of our local landscape, and we’re proud to be supporting its future through funding a dedicated Ouse Burn Ecologist. This vital role will help engage local communities, safeguard wildlife and ensure nature can flourish along this important corridor.”
The Ouse Burn has faced growing pressures in recent years, from increased recreational use to habitat loss. Emily’s role in this new project brings new expertise and capacity at a time when nature recovery is a national priority.
Over the coming months, she will meet community groups, volunteers, and local residents to identify priority sites, develop wildlife initiatives, and support people eager to care for the Burn.
Over the past year and a half, Emily has been part of the NHSN team, exploring everything from Gosforth’s Wild Web to the hidden corners of Gosforth Nature Reserve. She never tires of this special place, where bright Scarlet Elfcups pop against winter leaf litter and Otter cubs appear at the water’s edge, reminding her that nature always has a surprise in store. She said:
“Connecting people with nature is what I love most. I can’t wait to bring that energy to the Ouse Burn Way and spark curiosity and confidence in local communities. Whether it’s searching for minibeasts with children, dissecting owl pellets with adults, planting wildflowers and trees, or simply watching and recording wildlife, I really believe that getting stuck in is the best way for people to fall in love with nature and want to look after it.”
We Want to Hear From You!
Do you live along the Ouse Burn or nearby? Are you part of a community group, school or local business with an interest in nature? If you have a space that could be better for wildlife, even a small verge, yard or shared green area, we would love to help you bring it to life.
NHSN’s dedicated Ouse Burn Ecologist, Emily Anderson, can support you with practical ideas and hands on action, from wildflower planting and bat boxes to wildlife surveys and nature based events. You do not need anything already in place, just an interest in making a difference. Get in touch to start the conversation and see what we could achieve together.
