Hayley Blackwell

Hayley Blackwell is a research intern at the Centre for the Integration of Research, Conservation and Learning (CIRCLE), doing a placement year as part of her Zoology degree at Cardiff University.

“I work for the Udzungwa Forest Project (UFP), a rainforest conservation project in Tanzania sponsored by Flamingo Land and managed by the University of York. We are working to protect a threatened area of forest called Magombera, which is home to rare species of monkeys, chameleons and trees. The project has a ‘community conservation’ approach – protecting the forest by working with the local villagers to educate them about why it is important to conserve forests, and improving their livelihoods and welfare so that they no longer have to rely on Magombera for resources. In April, I went to Tanzania for a month to see for myself the work that UFP is doing and work alongside the field research assistants.”

“I have always loved animals from an early age, and am especially fascinated by tropical forests and the animals that live in them. This led to me choosing to do a degree in Zoology, and I hope one day to have a career in conservation.”

“In my spare time I enjoy horse riding, walking my dog and going to the cinema.”