Student Freya takes a look at litter

A local student is working with UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man on a project to mitigate the impacts of littering.

Freya Skillicorn, an undergraduate biology student who enters her third year at the University of York this autumn, is spending the summer working with the Biosphere team as part of the STEP Programme.

STEP is an Isle of Man Government initiative that matches undergraduate students ending their second or penultimate year of university with local companies and organisations to undergo a project-based internship over the summer period.

It helps students to gain useful and interesting paid work experience and allows organisations to gain resources to complete projects lacking engagement or staff.

Freya is continuing the work of the UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man project The Rubbish Group. The group brings together those charged with solving the litter problem and who volunteer to do so.

So far, the group has exchanged ideas and put anti-littering messaging on buses and on shop till receipts but Freya is working on something more comprehensive.

Freya said: ‘We hope to invoke a social shift towards a more environment aware mentality, helping people to understand the current rules around littering and its impacts on our Island.

‘I am currently researching the problem and talking to those with an interest and, from there, will devise a campaign or education piece that we hope will engage people across the Biosphere and which I hope can be implemented.’

The eight-week work placement ties in with Freya’s loves of nature and hiking.