Current Staff

Conservation Scientist

Brittany Arendse

Brittany is a Conservation Scientist and Creative Director at Nature’s Valley Trust. She completed her tertiary studies at the University of Cape Town, majoring in marine biology and ecology during her undergraduate degree and obtaining her MSc. in pollination biology.

Before starting at NVT she spent a year with CREW (Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers), SANBI, where she gained a plethora of practical botanical experience. Brittany started at NVT as a WWF-SA intern and upon completion of this 18-month development program was offered a permanent position. She manages NVTs various long-term estuarine and fynbos projects and has also branched out into the shorebird monitoring section of the #ShareTheShores coastal impact programme. While at NVT she has become captivated with birds and has consequently qualified as a bird ringer. She also heads up most of NVTs creative output on social media and in terms of merchandise and other paraphernalia.

Lauren Moriarty

Lauren is a MSc. graduate from the Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, majoring in Botany with a Marine focus. She also holds an Honours degree in Environmental Science.

Lauren started her journey with NVT in April 2019, with the WWF-SA Environmental Leaders Graduate Internship Programme. This year-long development programme was the first step of an incredible journey, where she experienced a diverse range of practical conservation and education work. Gaining invaluable workplace experience and networking.

Lauren returned to NVT in January 2021 as a Conservation Scientist Intern, working primarily on the Rivers and Estuaries research, as well as Educator on the Environmental Education programme. Lauren was offered a permanent position with NVT at the start of 2022, where she is continuing her work managing NVT’s Rivers and Estuaries research, as well as her work on the Environmental Education programme.

Conservation Volunteer Manager

Kellyn Whitehead

Kellyn began her journey with NVT in March 2014, as a volunteer, and since then has been a member of the team as a post-graduate student. Originally from Jo'burg, Kellyn has since made the Garden Route her home. She studied at Stellenbosch University where she completed her BSc. and BSc. Hons. in Biodiversity and Ecology.

While with NVT, Kellyn has completed her MSc. in Pollination Ecology with the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and now oversees the volunteer and internship programme for NVT as well as various other ecological research.