OW Spotlight Lucy Lee

Can you please tell us a bit more about yourself and what you do? 

I’m currently UK Chief Advisor at WWF-UK, where I lead our domestic conservation efforts. Over the past two years, my team and I have been pioneering what we call a ‘wholescape’ approach – a bold, new way of looking at conservation that treats our natural world as a vibrant, interconnected system. 

Rather than focusing on isolated habitats or piecemeal projects, the wholescape approach looks at the bigger picture. It recognises how deeply our lives and well-being are woven into the fabric of nature, and it calls for integrated, ambitious solutions that restore ecosystems, tackle climate change and support thriving communities all at once. 

By shifting our perspective to encompass entire landscapes, we unleash innovative thinking and collaborative action – helping deliver real, lasting impact for both people and the planet. It’s an exciting time to be leading this transformative work, as every step forward brings us closer to a world where nature and humanity flourish together. 

 

What inspired you to work in sustainability? 

A love of rivers! There’s something magical about being near water. From a young age, I was fascinated by the way that rivers carve new paths and the hidden life that they support. One trip I’ll never forget was to a chalk stream in the South East of England. The water was crystal clear, shoals of fish darting around aquatic plants, insects skimming the water, everything in perfect harmony. That experience really opened my eyes to just how special our UK rivers are. 

As I got older, I couldn’t ignore the challenges our waterways face: pollution from sewage, rivers straightened and blocked so fish can’t reach their spawning grounds, natural habitats disappearing. It made me determined to help turn things around. I knew I wanted to be part of the effort to restore our rivers and protect these wild, wonderful places for future generations. 

 

What is your career highlight so far? 

Selecting only one experience is challenging, several stand out: 

• Attending the opening of WWF’s Living Planet Centre in Woking and listening to Sir David Attenborough deliver an inspiring address. Hearing his passion in person left a lasting impression. 

• Contributing at Defra to the launch of a new set of climate projections, which provided valuable insights into how government integrates science into policy development to drive national change. 

• Leading WWF’s advocacy efforts on both the Water Act (2015) and Environment Act (2021). It was particularly rewarding to witness parliamentary discussions regarding amendments developed in collaboration with colleagues, some of which were ultimately included in the final legislation. 

• Facilitating business engagement through the creation of a leather buyers’ platform, bringing companies sourcing leather from India together to leverage their influence and investment to reduce the environmental impact of leather production on the Ganges River. 

 

What would you say are ‘must-have’ skills for young people today? 

I believe adaptability, resilience and empathy are essential life skills. The world is changing rapidly, and those who can learn continuously, bounce back from setbacks and understand the perspectives of others will be well-equipped to navigate complex challenges, especially in sustainability. 

 

What is the best piece of advice you have been given? 

The best piece of advice I have been given is: “Stay curious and don’t be afraid to ask questions.” This simple wisdom has encouraged me to seek out new learning opportunities, challenge assumptions and remain open to fresh ideas – qualities that are invaluable in a field that is constantly evolving. 

 

Do you have a fond memory from your time at Wellington that you would like to share or a particular teacher that stood out? 

Reflecting on my time at Wellington, I am especially grateful to my Geography teachers, Mr Martin and Mr Fowler. Their passion for the subject helped to ignite mine and played a pivotal role in my decision to study Geography at university. Their guidance and encouragement therefore set me on the path for my career today and I will be forever grateful for that.  

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