A KEEN conservationist will be walking 300 miles along the East Anglian coast to raise awareness about the importance of how communities interact with the seaside.

Ecology student Katy Ellis, 20, sparked her love of nature when visiting the north Norfolk coast every year with her family as a child.

To spread the message, she is now trekking from Burnham to Hunstanton to try get coastal communities involved in conservation and boost awareness of the oceans.

She is in a team of five who are covering the entire English coastline with the organisation Plover Rovers.

Katy said: “I feel the scientific community often does not include the citizens on the ground.

“I will be speaking to as many conservationists, scientists and artists as possible en route and giving talks at as many locations as possible about the locality of East England and its wildlife, as well as the challenges faced by coastal communities from climate change.

“I am now lucky to be studying a BSc in conservation biology and ecology at Exeter University’s Cornwall campus. I fell in love with the South West when I hiked part of the South West Coastal Path last summer.

“The sublime healing power the sea had on me after months of anxious lockdown – as I’m sure anyone who spends ample time by the sea can tell you – sparked something in me.”

As well as speaking with people from all over the coast, Katy will also be keeping an eye out for wildlife.

“Of course, seals are everybody’s favourite with their sleek bodies and inquisitive cheekiness,” she said.

“I can’t deny I’m looking forward to seeing my old favourite, the oystercatcher, but I’m also keen to see some species I haven’t seen before that are perhaps thought of as being more terrestrial.

“One of the key debates with coastal ecology is it belongs neither in the marine nor the terrestrial domains.

“It is instead its own unique blend of the two, however this means it is often overlooked by researchers who want to focus in on one habitat or the other.

“By spending time at the intersection of these two environments, I hope to shed some light on the interaction between the ecological communities and the vital roles they play on our planet.”

The walk begins on May 10 and Katy will also be fundraising to help the team on their journey.

Visit gofund.me/5294d9d4.