Joe May

Bridgwater Blue Heritage Project Manager

About me

I’ve been with WWT since 2020 after spending some years working in and researching water and environmental management in the UK and abroad. Before pursuing postgraduate studies I worked at South Gloucestershire Council in the Environment and Community Services department, working with local people to get the most out of their natural environment and green spaces. I have also spent time in the Middle East, working with organisations and communities to improve water security in deprived regions. More recently I have completed an MSc in Climate Change Science and Policy while working in an Operations role.

My role

Now I work with the Urban and Community Wetlands team at WWT which aims to bring wetlands to urban life. My role is based in Bridgwater, Somerset where we have created the Bridgwater Blue Heritage project which aims to create and enhance blue (water) infrastructure in and around the town in collaboration with local partners and people. Examples of this to date have included the first phase restoration of a floodplain grazing marsh and the creation of new SuDS (sustainable drainage systems). By doing things like this we hope to reduce flood risk and increase climate change resilience while also creating blue spaces which enhance people’s lives and boost wetland biodiversity.

Experience and interests

• SuDS and urban wetland design
• Community engagement
• Environmental monitoring
• Project development and management
• CAD, specifically using Vectorworks