Alister More worked as an intern with Zulu Ecosystems during the summer of 2025.
During his internship Alister underwent internal training to master Zulu’s data platform, which identifies opportunities for nature restoration—including woodland creation, peatland restoration, biodiversity enhancement, and water quality improvement.
In addition to this, Alister shadowed Zulu’s experts both in the field during ecological surveys and behind the scenes, where he significantly improved his GIS skills which is very important in the nature restoration world.
Alister describes his time with Zulu Ecosystems:
I worked within the operations team and my role was to assist with project managers with ecological surveys and monitoring for both native woodland creation and lost woods projects.
I began familiarising myself with Zulu’s in-house data platform and their mission: end-to-end nature restoration at scale.
Each week would involve at least one day of going out on site (with my dog in photo). Coming from a forestry-based background I understand how important it is to get your feet on the ground and see the condition and context of the land. Whilst on site, I was shown, in depth, how to undertake various ecological field surveys – including measuring peat depths, surveying seedling success and conducting herbivore impact assessments.
One project that involved this method of surveying was Ceannacroc Lost Woods. The information we collected was collated back into mapping software that would allow us to then design land restoration outcomes that would ultimately benefit biodiversity, water and restore declining habitats. This was always a great part of the job despite the odd occasion of getting eaten alive by midges.
I was also involved in another project that focused on an integrated land management approach at estate scale, with the objective of ensuring the financial viability of land stewardship; promoting and maintaining a balanced local ecosystem; and sustaining and strengthening employment opportunities.
Understanding the Woodland Carbon Code and all the associated legislation was essential, and with a lot of help from the team, I really enjoyed learning how the desk-based and practical work all comes together.
I have found my internship with Zulu Ecosystems invaluable for my future career in the forestry and land use sector, and I would like to thank the Pebble Trust for initiating this. Zulu has provided and equipped me with key skills in ecological surveying, restoration project planning, and geospatial data analysis, however I have a lot more to learn!
Pierre Roy, who oversaw Alister’s internship commented on The Pebble Trust internship: “It is a great opportunity for young professionals to discover these meaningful work experience and also to support young organisations like Zulu to discover talented people.”
Zulu Ecosystems were so pleased with Alister’s contribution to their work that his contract has been extended for a further 12 months.
