Great ladies of conservation - Mandy McMath and Stella Turk

Mandy McMath (right) takes in the view from the Bird Observatory on
Bardsey Island . Jo Clark then of WDC on the left.

As we approach the 2015 conference of the European Cetacean Society, it time to again salute Dr Mandy McMath after whom the ECS conservation award is named. 

Mandy is sadly no longer with us but for those who did not know her as mentor, manager, adviser, ally or just a good friend, there are three precious minutes of film still in the public domain which give you some small insight into her character. 

This short film shows her in one of her favourite places, Barsey Island, taking to the respected TV presenter and naturalist, Iolo Williams, about her beloved seals. (It is remarkable that she is caught on film at all, as she was very camera-shy.) 

Note the practical dark (seal-friendly) clothes (very fashionable for this remote island) but more than this see if you can spy the deep intelligence and wicked sense of humour behind those dark far-seeing eyes.)    

Mandy championed marine mammals and their conservation, young people coming into the field and women in science. She was my friend. Click HERE to see and hear her.


Stella Turk is another 'grand dame' of conservation. Born in 1925 she is still a working scientist and a publishing zoologist. With her husband she founded the Cornish Biological Record Unit which was later incorporated into the Cornwall Wildlife Trust. 

She has long been the Strandings Recorder for Cornwall (meticulously recording all the biological entities that come ashore in the magical part of the UK) but is probably best known for her interest in molluscs. In 1979, the Zoological Society of London recognised her marine work by giving her the Stamford Raffled Award and she was awarded the MBE in 2003. 

A remarkable documentary on YouTube tells her life story in a gentle reflective study. You can find it here. It is thirty seven minutes long. 

Women to inspire a new generation!