Libby Bowles has worked for over 20 years in risk assessment, teaching, marine conservation biology, expedition leadership and environmental education.
Libby spent 6 years in remote corners of Africa, Central and South America while studying manta rays, whale sharks and turtles with the Marine Megafauna Foundation, and managing Global Vision International expeditions in Mexico and the Seychelles. When not clocking up 3,000+ dives, publishing scientific papers, driving boats, training divers and working as a videographer, Libby became passionate about environmental education with an adventurous difference.
Inspiring students and being a positive role model was so important to Libby that, following one ‘real life superhero’ class discussion, she quit her job and took on her students’ challenge; to cycle the world on a homemade bicycle made of grass, delivering environmental education and empowering community-led action globally. Whilst she hasn’t yet cycled the whole world, she has cycled on 4 continents; most notably solo and self-sufficiently cycling the length of New Zealand delivering workshops, and across Africa as part of a team with nothing more than a small bag on her bike. She has spoken to more than 27,000 people at schools, universities, explorer clubs, festivals and community groups (including RGS Explore, TEDx and Oxford University Explorers Club).
Libby can now be found back in the UK, delivering adult and school environmental education programmes in person and globally online. She spends her time taking groups rockpooling (preferably in the dark with UV torches), teaching about ocean plastics, exploring woodlands, tree planting, habitat box making, and educating on the environmental impacts of the clothing industry, period products and our food systems.
Libby thrives on empowering positive changemakers and is a keen advocate of including environmentally-related purpose and citizen science in exploration planning.
Sessions at Explore Weekend
Saturday
3.30pm-4.30pm: Planning Bicycle Expeditions
