Over the past 2 weeks, Plymouth Sound National Marine Park hosted four work experience placements: Olivia, Alexis, Oliver and Max where they shadowed the Coastal Rangers and supported several activities and community events from Coastal Clean Ups and Swim Safe sessions at Tinside Lido and cove, to orientation trails at Plymouth Enrichment Games with 60 school kids up on the Hoe.
Students from Eggbuckland Community College, Lipson Cooperative Academy, Plymstock School and Plympton Academy, got stuck into Ranger work as they developed their own activities and resources to connect people to the UK’s first National Marine Park. During the end of their work experience they visited Mount Batten’s foreshore to do their bit for the Marine Conservation Society’s ‘Big Seaweed Search’ citizen science project. The students helped to gather valuable data supporting UK marine biodiversity conservation by identifying seaweeds impacted by a changing climate.
The students were a fantastic addition to the Ranger team and each had an eye-opening experience about the diversity of the work we do in our journey to re-connect Plymouth’s citizens to their dynamic, historic and biodiverse marine environment. Here’s a few things, they had to say about their placement…
Q: What was your favourite Part of your work experience placement?
Max: “Getting to know everyone’s job roles and what they specialise in.”
Oliver: “Helping manage the younger kids doing the quiz challenge that we designed.”
Q: What has been your biggest learning experience this week about the environment?
Olivia: “That it’s all about community – I didn’t realise how much it was about community.”
Oliver: “How much litter impacts the area and animals.”
Q: What is the one thing you will do going forward to support nature and reduced your impact?
Olivia: “I will start looking out for litter – I don’t usually look out for it but I will now.”
Alexis: “Don’t litter and recycle, be more conscious of your choices.”
Q: Did this work experience placement encourage you to a green/blue career path?
Alexis: “Yes, I am now considering a career as a lifeguard.”
Olivia: “I loved everything about the job role and I am considering trying it out for real when I leave school.”
Over the past two weeks, it’s been a privilege to welcome Olivia, Alexis, Oliver, and Max to the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park team. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and willingness to get involved has made a real impact—not just on the projects they supported, but also on our wider mission to engage the public with our ocean environment. From hands-on citizen science to leading younger students through nature-based activities, each of them brought a fresh perspective and left with a deeper understanding of our coastal ecosystems and the importance of community in protecting them.
We’re proud to have played a part in inspiring the next generation of blue and green ambassadors, and we hope their experience continues to shape their choices—whether that be picking up litter, supporting local initiatives, or even pursuing a future career in marine conservation. Thank you to each of our brilliant students for diving in with such enthusiasm. The future of our planet is brighter with young people like you leading the way.