Meet Rhys Bowen - Seagrass Ocean Rescue, North Wales

Last December, the BMC Access & Conservation Trust gave a £15,000 grant to Seagrass Ocean Rescue in North Wales as part of The Climate Project campaign. This was made possible thanks to a £21,000 donation to us from the BMC's Official Outdoor Retailer, Cotswold Outdoor from their Pennies at the till campaign last summer.

This grant has extended the employment of Living Seas Project Officer, Rhys Bowen, by thirteen months, until October 2026. This follows on from Rhys’ involvement in the programme during 2024 where he worked as a Marine Futures Intern at Seagrass Ocean Rescue's partner, the North Wales Wildlife Trust. Rhys is 28 years old and from Caerphily. He speaks English and is learning Welsh, and is currently living in Deganwy and working in Bangor. Read on for our interview with Rhys to find out more about his role.

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What is The Climate Project?

The Climate Project, from the BMC's Access & Conservation Trust, is a collection of nature-based solutions and resources to fight the climate crisis. It includes our long-term commitment to planting sphagnum in the Peak District with Moors for the Future Partnership as part of their peatland restoration programme, and our latest addition - planting seagrass with Seagrass Ocean Rescue in North Wales.

Seagrass facts

• Absorbs and sequesters carbon
• Purifies seawater from pollutants
• Provides vital habitats for marine life
• Helps preserve endangered species
• Helps increase ecosystem biodiversity
• Meadows help slow coastal erosion

Why is seagrass restoration important to walkers, climbers and mountaineers?

Walkers, climbers and mountaineers know the feeling of standing in a wild place and being completely immersed in it. Take the Wales Coastal Path, for example, where you can look out over our beautiful coastline and seas, often without always realising that beneath the surface there may be seagrass meadows, kelp forests or oyster reefs playing a crucial role in sustaining our ocean environments.

The health of our mountains, rivers and coastlines are inherently interconnected, and seagrass plays an important part in storing carbon, enhancing biodiversity, and helping protect the shores that so many people rely on and love to explore. For me, restoration is about safeguarding that sense of wildness and resilience across the whole landscape. If we care about protecting special places on land, we have to care about what’s happening beneath the water too.

What made you apply for this role?

I’ve always been a “water baby,” as my mam calls me, and I spent most of my summers as a child on the Pembrokeshire coast with my parents and grandparents. That early connection to the sea stayed with me and is what inspired me to study marine biology at university, where I learned more about the incredible natural life we have right on our doorstep in Wales, such as seagrass.

Those experiences are what drew me to Project Seagrass, a charity focused on delivering real change to save the world’s seagrass as well as promoting the sustainable use of seagrass ecosystems. In this role I can channel my passion for the natural world into restoring one of Wales’s most remarkable habitats. Given the current state of nature and climate, protecting what we have isn’t enough - we need to actively restore habitats to safeguard biodiversity and the vital services these habitats provide.

I’d encourage anyone to walk next to or snorkel through a seagrass meadow (respectfully, of course) to experience their beauty and see some of the amazing species that call them home. It is these experiences that really reminds me of why this work matters.

What does the role entail?

The beauty of my job is that no two days are ever quite the same. I’m lucky to spend so much time outdoors, either on our coast or alongside communities who are passionate about championing our marine environment. That might mean collecting seagrass seeds with volunteers from our donor meadow at Porthdinllaen in the summer, planting at restoration sites across Pen Llŷn and Ynys Môn in spring, or anything in between. Any excuse to be out on the coast is a good one in my books.

When I’m not in the field, I’m working closely with partners such as North Wales Wildlife Trust, Pen Llŷn a’r Sarnau SAC, WWF Cymru and Swansea University to build connections, analyse data and review research to improve our restoration practices. I’m also currently developing a seagrass citizen science monitoring programme for Wales, so keep an eye out for opportunities to get involved and help us build a clearer picture of the health and extent of our seagrass meadows.

What will you be doing/learning over the next year now the role is extended?

Thanks to generous funding from BMC, I’m really excited to build on the foundations we’ve developed so far in North Wales whilst looking for further opportunities to restore seagrass across the region. Over the next year, I’ll be focusing on strengthening and refining our restoration work through improving monitoring, gathering more robust data, and learning how to scale up what works best. I’m particularly looking forward to integrating new technologies, such as drones, to enhance how we map, monitor and understand seagrass meadows. Being able to combine hands-on fieldwork with innovative tools feels like a really powerful step forward for our methodologies.

The next year is about continuing to learn from the science, technologies, and communities, so we can restore seagrass in North Wales in a way that’s ambitious, collaborative and built to last.

What parts of the role are you most passionate about and why?

I’m passionate about protecting and restoring seagrass habitats for both nature and climate. These meadows are rich with life and play a vital role in supporting biodiversity, storing carbon, and strengthening our coasts, yet many people don’t realise they’re right on our doorstep here in Wales. A big part of what I love about my role is connecting communities with these underwater landscapes, creating opportunities for people to learn about, engage with, and help restore them. Seeing that sense of pride and stewardship grow is what makes the work so rewarding for me.

What do bring to the Seagrass Ocean Rescue/Project Seagrass team?

I bring a strong mix of technical skills and hands-on restoration experience, but more than anything, I bring a deep love for the natural world here in Wales. Living and working in North Wales means the landscapes and seascapes we’re restoring aren’t abstract to me, they’re the places I swim, hike, camp and spend time with friends and family. That closeness really drives my motivation. These habitats aren’t somewhere far away; they’re right on our doorstep, and that makes protecting and restoring them feel personal.

I also bring a sense of humour and energy, which I’m sure (most) of the team would agree with. Seagrass restoration can involve long days, shifting tides and plenty of sand/mud, so I think it helps to stay positive and be able to laugh at yourself, especially when you inevitably end up with water in your waders, covered in mud or fall over.

What has been your favourite thing to learn about so far?

My favourite thing to learn about so far has been understanding just how important the sea and seagrass meadows are to people in across communities in Wales. Through conversations and hearing stories from local community members, volunteers, and fishers, I’ve seen the deep personal connections people have with these habitats and the services they provide. Whether it’s childhood memories of swimming along the coast, family or work traditions, or a sense of pride in caring for their local environment. Learning about these connections has reminded me that seagrass isn’t just about nature; it’s about people too, and that makes the work feel really meaningful.

What are you most looking forward to getting to grips with this year?

This year, I’m really looking forward to diving deeper into seagrass restoration across Wales and building on our previous successes at Penrhos and Penrhyn, Ynys Môn (Anglesey). I am excited to continue refining our restoration techniques, enhance our evidence base to better inform regional management, and build stronger connections with local communities in North Wales. I am especially excited about developing the new citizen science monitoring programme, which will give more people the chance to explore our coasts, see seagrass up close, and contribute to the national effort to protect seagrass. For me, there’s nothing better than combining hands-on restoration with learning, knowledge sharing, and local stewardship, and I can’t wait to see how it all grows over the year.

Any challenges you see ahead?

Nature restoration is tricky. Success depends on so many factors: human disturbances, water quality, natural weather, and even small local changes can make a big difference. It can be unpredictable, and sometimes progress feels slow. But that’s also what makes the work so rewarding. Each patch we restore, each volunteer who connects with the habitat, and each new insight we gain brings us closer to healthier, thriving meadows. By working together, learning as we go, and celebrating each success along the way, I’m really optimistic about what we can achieve for Wales’ coasts.

Best piece of advice you’ve been given so far?

The best advice I’ve been given is to stay curious and never stop asking questions. In conservation, there’s always more to learn, and being open to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences has really shaped how I approach my work.

How are you at working in the rain…?

I’m definitely much better at working in the rain now compared to when I started. I think you learn very quickly to wrap up warm and that making sure that your waterproofs actually are waterproof (a lesson learnt the hard way in the harsh winter of North Wales!). Now that I am prepared, I actually enjoy working in a little rain…as long as the wind isn’t blowing you away!

Describe your favourite kind of day out in the outdoors outside of work?

My favourite kind of day outdoors would probably start with an early morning swim in the sea at sunrise. I love that quiet, glassy calm before the world properly wakes up and the feeling you get after being in cold water sets the tone for the day ahead. After warming up with a coffee, I’d meet friends and head into the mountains for a long hike. Eryri National Park holds some of my favourite routes, especially through the Carneddau, where you get that perfect mix of steady hiking and the occasional bit of scrambling across rugged, expansive terrain. There’s something special about the scale and wildness of those landscapes.

To top it off, I’d wild camp in the hills and watch the light fade over the peaks and, if we’re lucky, a sky full of stars. After waking up on the mountains, there’s not much I enjoy more than that morning coffee as the sun rises and having breakfast looking out over the mountains and coast in the distance. That’s what I love most about North Wales, you can swim in the sea at sunrise and stand on a mountain summit a few hours later. Having coast and mountains so closely together makes it an incredible place to explore and one I feel very lucky to call home.

Any interesting hobbies we wouldn’t expect?

Nothing too extravagant, but I’m really enjoying the variety of my fitness training at the moment. I’ve been focusing on training for Hyrox-style events, with three races lined up in 2026. I’m also excited to tackle the Conwy Half Marathon this November. It’s been great to set goals, challenge myself, and mix up my training with a bit of everything - running, strength, and endurance. Outside of training, I’m also really keen on fungi and love exploring the hills to discover different types and forage, combining my love of the outdoors with a bit of curiosity and adventure.

Any pets?

Yes, a little seven-year-old brown cockapoo called Murphy who loves his walks almost as much as he loves treats!

What are your hopes and ambitions for your own future?

Ultimately, I hope to keep growing as a marine conservationist in Wales. I want to do my part to leave the natural world in a better place by creating a positive, lasting difference for both nature and the people who care about it. Staying close to the landscapes and coasts that inspire me while making that impact is what drives me every day.

Anything else you’d like BMC members to know about you?

I’d probably just say that I’m someone who feels happiest outdoors, whether that’s waist-deep in the sea, halfway up a ridge, or camped out under the stars. I care deeply about keeping Wales wild and resilient, both above and below the waterline. If anything I’ve shared encourages someone to look a little closer at the sea next time they’re on the coast path, or to think about how connected our mountains and marine environments really are, then that’s a win for me.

Fun quick-fire questions:

Wild camping or campsite?

Wild camping, particularly in dark sky reserves!

Climbing or hiking?

Tough one but probably hiking (at least until I’m a better climber)

Wales or the Alps?

Wales, there’s so much beauty right on our doorstep

Coffee or tea?

Coffee

Cup half full or half empty?

Cup half full, always!

Sweet or savoury?

Another tough one but I’ll have to go sweet (just)

Cat or dog?

Dog

Where do your funds go?

• £5 buys a pair of work gloves

• £10 buys 10 hessian planting sacks

• £25 buys a seagrass seeder tool

• £50 buys a pair of mud shoes to reduce trampling impact

• £150 buys equipment to test water quality at site

• £250 buys a seed maturation cage to overwinter the seeds

• £1,000 buys a drone survey to monitor growth