In a quiet neighbourhood, where the hum of a small town life blended with the whisper of trees, a young girl found joy in the simplest acts of care for the world around her. Armed with nothing more than gloves and a sense of purpose, Nathalie de Bruin and her best friend would roam their local streets, gathering litter, clearing bushes, and leaving their surroundings cleaner than they had found them. For Nathalie, these early acts of stewardship were more than child’s play—they were the roots of a lifelong calling.

“My mom always told me, ‘If you don’t honour small things, you don’t deserve big things,’” Nathalie recalls. It was this simple wisdom that nurtured her deep love for nature. From the chickens and fish that filled her family’s garden to the rain-soaked adventures of playing outside no matter the weather, Nathalie’s connection to the natural world was woven into her everyday life.

As she grew older, her love for the planet expanded beyond her local neighbourhood. Studying International Development at Wageningen University & Research, she was confronted with the complex, often sobering challenges facing our environment. But rather than feel disheartened, Nathalie’s resolve strengthened. She found solace in the idea that nature, when cared for, could heal itself, and she wanted to be part of that process.

Yet, the road to fulfilling that passion was not always clear. A burnout during the early days of the pandemic left Nathalie at a crossroads, unsure of her next step. It was during long walks through parks and along rivers that she began to realise that nature, once again, had the power to restore her spirit. And then, one day, as if by fate, she found out about the Sea Ranger Bootcamp.

“It felt like the right thing at the right time,” Nathalie reflects. “I didn’t know exactly where I wanted to go with my career, but the Sea Ranger Bootcamp seemed like the perfect place to start.”

Bootcamp Challenges and Triumphs: Testing Limits and Building Bonds

Nathalie arrived at the Sea Ranger Bootcamp eager to immerse herself in its challenges, yet even she could not have predicted the intensity of what lay ahead. In one of the toughest moments, she found herself carrying a 3-metre-long wooden beam with her partner, their muscles straining under the weight. It was exhausting, but it was also exhilarating. “I remember thinking, ‘When will I ever do something like this again?’” she says, laughing at the memory. Covered in mud, physically drained but smiling, Nathalie felt alive.

The Bootcamp was not just about physical endurance; it was about learning to work as a team, to trust others, and to understand one’s own limits. Nathalie, who often took on the emotions of those around her, learned a lesson she carries with her to this day: “Don’t take others’ emotions personally; focus on what you can control,” a mentor had told her. This wisdom became a guiding principle in her work, allowing her to focus on what mattered – nature, and her role in preserving it.

The Sea Ranger Bootcamp, she reflects, was more than a training programme; it was a transformation. It taught her resilience, patience, and, perhaps most importantly, the joy of working toward something bigger than herself.

Becoming a Sea Ranger

After completing the Bootcamp, Nathalie was selected as a Sea Ranger, and her love for hands-on environmental work found its perfect outlet. On missions to restore seagrass meadows, she worked alongside her team, collecting and planting seagrass seeds, hopeful that they would grow into lush landscapes.

“There’s nothing like coming back to a site after weeks and seeing that the seagrass has taken root. It’s this incredible feeling of pride and accomplishment,” she says. “Not all of the plants survive, but the ones that do feel like a victory – for nature and for us.”

For Nathalie, the sea became both a place of work and wonder. Travelling to different locations, from the Netherlands to France and Spain, she revelled in the beauty of each new place while understanding the critical importance of the work she was doing. Every trip, every mission, brought her closer to the environment she had loved since childhood, but now, she was not just observing it – she was actively restoring it.

The Path to Leadership: Leading the Way as a Senior Sea Ranger

Nathalie’s dedication and passion quickly caught the attention of her peers and mentors, and it wasn’t long before she was offered a leadership role as a Senior Sea Ranger. The decision to take on more responsibility felt natural to her – after all, this was a mission she deeply believed in.

“I didn’t want to leave,” Nathalie admits. “I love what the Sea Ranger Service stands for. It’s not just about environmental restoration, but about getting people involved in protecting nature. That’s what really resonates with me.”

As a Senior Sea Ranger, Nathalie will coordinate fieldwork and mentor new Sea Rangers, guiding them through the same journey she once took. She enjoys the balance of hands-on work and leadership, taking pride in helping the next generation of Sea Rangers find their footing.

A Vision for the Future

Nathalie’s story with the Sea Ranger Service is still being written. While she continues her work in seagrass restoration, she remains open to new adventures and challenges in the field of environmental conservation. “Maybe I’ll fall in love with another aspect of nature, who knows?” she says, her adventurous spirit shining through.

But one thing is certain: Nathalie’s journey, from a young girl cleaning up her neighbourhood to a Senior Sea Ranger restoring vital ecosystems, is a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and the belief that we all have a role to play in protecting the planet.

Her advice to anyone thinking about joining the Sea Ranger Bootcamp is simple:

“Just do it. It made me stronger mentally and physically. The experience will push you, but it will also shape you in ways you can’t even imagine.”

 

Nathalie’s story is not just one of personal growth – it is a story of hope for the future of our oceans and the planet we all call home.