At South West Lakes Trust we are lucky to have a team of three Conservation Officers (pictured above with Head of Environment Nicola Morris) in our Environment team who help look after our lakes across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. Here they introduce themselves:

Laura Dee

I started my studies in Outdoor Adventure Education in 2017 which led me to become a Land/ Watersports Instructor. After University I was looking for an Environment-based role and was taken on as the Invasive Species Officer for South West Lakes Trust in 2023. In 2025 I moved over to become a Conservation Officer.

In this role I am working across the region with a focus on Devon, working on Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Biodiversity contracts. I will be working alongside the other Conservation Officers to ensure the environment work for the Trust is fulfilled and maintained. I am always keen to learn more about native species; I especially have an interest in mammals and reptiles. 

Teri Nicholls

My background is in ecology and conservation, where after many years of studying and volunteering for local conservation groups and organisations, I became a project ecologist at South West Lakes Trust, project managing a small Site of Special Scientific Interest project in 2023. Since then, you may have spotted me at Tamar Lakes where I covered a ranger position short term before returning to the Environment Team as Conservation Officer in July 2025.

I have a passion for island conservation, sustainable land management and protecting native species. I enjoy exploring peat bogs and forests and love finding fascinating invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles!  

Morwenna Thelier

I have been with the Trust since October 2022. In my previous role I worked on the South West Water-funded Green Recovery project across our Dartmoor sites. I installed biodiversity enhancements across the catchments, aiming to improve biodiversity and ultimately water quality and water retention in the areas. These enhancements included tree planting, woodland management, rewetting around floodplains and improvements to river habitats.

Additionally, the moorland grazing regime was improved through working with farmers to use No Fence collars, which track the movements of livestock and create virtual fences so grazing can be more carefully managed. This will help to improve botanical diversity on the moorland.

As a Conservation Officer now, I will now be working on maintaining this project, working with volunteers and contractors to keep all the enhancements in good condition. I will also be working alongside the rest of the environment team to share skills and learn from theirs where river, habitat and bird surveys are required, or wetland and river enhancements necessary.