I'm a 23 year old naturalist and wildlife enthusiast from North Wales (UK). I am passionate about photography, conservation and the natural world, and generally spending time outdoors either on foot or by bike.

I grew up on a small island in the Irish Sea called Bardsey, where I was homeschooled until I went to university and studied Conservation Biology there. I'm passionate about the environment and how we can reduce our impact on the earth, through my photography, activism and campaigning.

I love travelling and new experiences: meeting new people and exploring the places I visit, particularly if there are mountains, forests or sea nearby!

Some of my wildlife photography can be seen on my website: https://benporterwildlife.co.uk

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I really enjoy meeting new people, finding out information about new places from those that live there, and understanding the cultures of the places I visit.

This year I'm travelling across Europe overland by train, and during my city stop-overs I'll be needing places to stay, so couchsurfing seemed like the best and most interesting way to do it!

Interests

• traveling
• cycling
• ecology
• mountains
• filmmaking
• exploring
• conservation
• environmentalism
• birding
• natural world
• outdoor adventures
• wildlife photography

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Folk music, Arctic Monkeys, Mumford and Sons

Books: The Hobbit, Gerald Durrell's 'My Family and other Animals', The Hidden Lives of Trees, Robert Mcfarlane's Wild Places.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Organised a research expedition to the Arctic in 2018 with a group of friends from university, spending 3 weeks on a sailing ship investigating the impact of plastic pollution around Svalbard: https://www.sailagainstplastic.com/

What I Can Share with Hosts

The welsh language, an enthusiasm for wildlife, mediocre cooking abilities and an offer for accommodation in Wales should they ever venture there!

Countries I’ve Visited

Costa Rica, Cyprus, Ecuador, France, Kenya, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Svalbard and Jan Mayen

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom