About Meriel
Hello and welcome.
My name is Meriel and I’m a writer, photographer, artist and film-poet with a passion to protect and conserve wildlife and ecosystems.
I really enjoy working with words and images and exploring the exciting ways they can come together. From cave art to TV documentary, the old and new stories we tell of the natural world, and what those stories reveal of their tellers, fascinates me. As a researcher, university lecturer and practitioner, the need to protect this incredible planet drives my life. I’m passionate about bringing the wide, wild world into focus and sharing it!
My non-fiction writing and photography mean I’ve been lucky enough to travel with reindeer in Scandinavia, orphaned elephants in Africa and desert camels in Morocco. Fieldwork on all seven continents - from icy poles to steamy rainforests – has brought me close to some of the world’s most heart-stopping wildlife. But just as exciting and precious to our biodiversity are the animals and plants here at home. That a turtledove once shared my garden makes me super happy. But I’d be happier still if we could protect the turtle doves on their migrations and have a healthier habitat for them to return to in the UK .
My tiny Moorland cottage is often more animal refuge than studio. It’s been home to hedgehogs, a hare, jackdaws, pigeons, geese, a hen who thought she was a pup, several actual pups – including a wise, ancient Spanish rescue girlie, a pair of cheeky Chihuahuas and a Betsy-boo – who likes to sit on my shoulder as I write and ‘chatters’ in my ear if lunch is overdue. And then there are the rescue house-kitties, including Dr. Giuffie Baggins whose tireless desk-sitting during my studies earned him an honorary doctorate of his own.
I love life, all life. One of my favourite words is ‘biophilia’ - the innate human instinct to connect with other living beings. Just as trees thrive in communities, I hope my writing helps encourage others to connect with this miraculous planet and fall a little more in love with its diversity everyday.
When I’m not at work – and sometimes when I am - you’ll find me in the kitchen. I’ll be watching the sassy siskins on our window feeders, maybe stirring risotto made with some new herbs from the garden or trying (and failing) to joik! (It’s a thing – promise!)
Thanks so much for dropping by.
