About the event

Green Careers Showcase 2026 

Aged 16-30?* Love nature? Keen to kickstart your green career? 

Join us for the FREE Green Careers Showcase 

📅 Date: Thursday 17th September 

⏰ Time: 2:00PM- 7:00PM 

📍 Location: Walthamstow Wetlands, N17 9NH ///palms.hidden.memory 

🙋‍♀️Who can come: *This event is aimed at supporting school leavers and those early in their careers. We estimate this ranges between 16-30 year olds but we encourage anyone who might find the event beneficial to join us. 

What to expect 

• Meet employers from organisations working in the green sector
• Find out about training, apprenticeship and job opportunities
• Hear from inspirational speakers about their careers
• Try practical, hands-on workshops
• Get CV, application and interview advice 

Employers & organisations include: 

• Royal Parks 

• Bromley by Bow
• Capel Manor College 

• Maydencroft 

• Cody Dock
• The Conservation Volunteers
• Capital City College Group
• Bankside Open Space Trust 

• British Trust for Ornithology 

• Arcadis 

And more! 

Speakers 

1 - Ishmael Tikly | Policy + Campaigns Manager for Epping Forest Heritage Trust  

Ishmael began his career in conservation as a LWT Keeping it Wild Trainee in 2019. Since July 2025, he has worked as Policy & Campaigns Manager for the Epping Forest Heritage Trust. His work includes getting local communities involved in decision-making and collaborating with local government to get Epping Forest on the political agenda. Heritage is also a passion of his, and he’s working on how heritage policy can be harnessed to best support the Forest and its visitors. 

Speaking at 15:30-16:15 

2- Layla Mapemba-Taylor | Senior Species Recovery Officer for London Wildlife Trust  

From pioneering species reintroduction projects, including the beavers and storks to East London, to championing opportunities for young people in conservation, Layla is passionate about creating a future where both people and nature can thrive. Through her work restoring wildlife to East London and her commitment to making the green sector more inclusive and accessible, she inspires other to find their place in protecting and restoring the natural world.  

Speaking at 17:15-17:45 

3 - Connor Butler | Freelance Entomologist + Educator  

Connor Butler is a freelance entomologist and environmental educator with a decade of experience helping people connect with the natural world. His career ranges from working as ecological consultant on the development of Singapore’s nature parks, to the Head of Learning at Chelsea Physic Garden, London’s oldest botanic garden. Connor has an interest in Queer Ecology, which challenges societal ideas of what is considered “natural” or “unnatural” and explores the biases that shape how people engage with nature. He has spent the past four years bringing thousands of people from the LGBTQ+ community out into nature, under the motto of “be queer, touch bugs”. Connor has also delivered a TEDx Talk exploring the feeling of disgust and how learning to notice insects can transform our relationship with the natural world. To date, he has encouraged over 15,000 people to take a closer look at the often overlooked species that share our cities, parks, and gardens. 

Instagram @connor_the_ecologist 

Speaking at 18:00-18:30 

No prior booking required 

Workshops 

1 - Career Workshop with CIEEM 

Practical tips and advice on job hunting, applications and interview skills in the green sector with Brian Heppenstall, Education and Careers Manager at the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. 

2 - Nature Recovery Workshop with Pete 

Pete Salter our nature recovery land manager will provide an intro to reserves management, outlining the opportunities and challenges. He will talk about different habitat types at Walthamstow Wetlands (grassland, reedbed and open water) and how our team manages the site to support wildlife. 

3 - CV Workshop with LWT 

Want to know what employers really look for in a CV? Join London Wildlife Trust’s People & Organisational Development Team – the people responsible for reviewing applications and recruiting new staff – for practical advice on creating a strong CV, common mistakes to avoid, and how to present your skills and experience effectively.  

4 – Intro into Green Pathways Workshop with Investec 

There is no single route into a green career. Join our partners at Investec to discover the diverse range of careers across the green sector, explore where your skills and passions could take you, and learn how to find your own niche in building a more sustainable future.  

The Careers + Nature Recovery workshops will run twice 14:30-15:15 and 16:15-17:00. The CV Workshop will run 14:30-15:15. The Green Pathways Workshop will run from 16:15-17:00.  

Booking will be available on the day on a first come first served basis. 

CV Advice Desk  

Book a 20-minute one-to-one session with one of our industry experts to receive personalised feedback on your CV. Whether you’re applying for your first role or looking to strengthen your applications, you’ll receive tailored feedback and practical advice to help your CV standout. Please bring an up-to-date copy of your CV (printed or digital) to work through during your session! 

Booking will be available on the day on a first come first served basis. 

If you are unable to attend the Green Careers Showcase but would like a PDF copy of our CV Advice Flyer, kindly provided by Investec, please contact oyoung@wildlondon.org.uk.  

How to get there 

🚇 Tube/train stations: Tottenham Hale (Victoria Line/ National Rail) – 9-minute walk 

Blackhorse Road (Victoria Line/ Suffragette Line) – 13-minute walk 

🚏 Bus: Walthamstow Wetlands / Ferry Boat Inn (123/ 230 bus routes) 

🚗 Car: Paid parking is available at the reserve entrance - postcode N17 9NH. 

Accessibility: 

If you require any adjustments in order to attend the event or if transport is a barrier for you to attend, please email the event coordinator Olivia Young oyoung@wildlondon.org.uk - Kindly let us know your requirements by 1st September if possible. 

There is free parking available for Blue Badge holders. 

Both ramps and lifts are available in and around the Engine House building. 

Disabled toilets are available. 

A quiet room and prayer space will be available on site. 

If you have any more questions about accessibility, please get in touch with us at oyoung@wildlondon.org.uk 

If your organisation would like to be involved in this event please email: oyoung@wildlondon.org.uk.

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