It’s time for us to introduce you to our Head Ranger, our ‘big kahuna’, the coastal boss: it’s Sam Balderson! He has dedicated any work that he’s done to conservation, meeting many talented and passionate characters along the way… Including the penguins behind him in the third photo! Sam enjoys diving with his camera, capturing the most beautiful side of Plymouth Sound, whilst volunteering for the RNLI.
Tell us about yourself!
I graduated with a Geography BSc from University of Sheffield in 2007. I then worked in construction and landscaping in between travelling around South East Asia and Central America for a year. I pursued my passion for SCUBA diving, becoming a PADI Divemaster and working on marine conservation projects in Mexico, Indonesia and Seychelles.
After completing a Conservation MSc at University College London I worked in the Falkland Islands and then returned to the Seychelles to work on Alphonse Island where I managed a conservation and activities centre for 6 years. Covid interrupted which sent me back to landscaping and countryside management work on sites across Southern England, before securing the role of Government Officer of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. I was responsible for everything from inspecting fishing boats to acting as the postmaster. I arrived in Plymouth in 2022 and continued pursuing my passion for the marine environment through SCUBA diving and I am now an active crew member of the Plymouth RNLI lifeboat.
What attracted you to apply for the Coastal Ranger position at PSNMP?
I spent a number of years working in marine conservation roles in other countries and I always hoped that there would be a move towards the development of marine parks in the UK. So when I saw the opportunity to come to Plymouth and work on the PSNMP project I knew that I needed to apply for the role of Head Ranger.
What do you love about the job so far?
This job has provided me with the opportunity to meet and work with a lot of very talented and passionate people that all want to improve our relationship with the marine environment. The job has also allowed me to quickly learn a lot about the Britain’s Ocean City and the people that live here as I get the opportunity to work with lots of different communities and groups.
What are you most excited about working in PSNMP?
I am especially excited to give the people of Plymouth the opportunity to access the underwater world of Plymouth Sound. I am fortunate enough to see every time I go diving. Thanks to the advancement of technology, this can be made possible without needing to touch the water and I am really excited to see how this project can harness those technologies.
As you can see, Sam has been around the houses and back again within the marine/conservation sphere! We couldn’t have asked for a better Head Ranger to lead our team to help connect Plymouth to her natural heritage. We can’t wait for you to meet Sam through our engagement events for years to come.
Meet the rest of the team!
Nick Helm – Coastal Ranger and volunteers lead: Take a dive into the life of a ‘wild child’
Jess Stevens – Coastal Ranger: Find out about her work in Borneo here
Jes Hirons – Coastal Ranger: Read on to discover her sailing adventures
Millie Groom – Assistant Coastal Ranger: Discover her passion for environmental conservation
Tom Wise – Assistant Coastal Ranger: Follow his career progression from green to blue