SEAGRASS SAVIOURS

Sometimes, saving the planet requires a bright idea, some practical know-how and a bit of tinkering

- Words by HELEN PILCHER

ONE DAY LATE LAST SUMMER, as wilful clouds tried to photobomb the sun, a strange item appeared on the beach at Swansea Bay. With chunky yellow struts and sturdy black netting, it looked like a toddler's football goal from a distance. Up close, however, the object was confusing. It had two headlights like a car, runners like a toboggan and a set of trimmer blades so big they seemed as though they could shave a yeti. Passersby and dog walkers were baffled, but the two figures standing over the enigma were beaming with pride. This was their 'baby' – the culmination of an almost two-year-long project that has involved blood, sweat and imploding barrels, all to help save one of the UK's rarest ecosystems. They call their invention the 'underwater lawnmower'.

Rewind to 2020, and two friends from university – one a wildlife filmmaker, the other a jet-suit designer, but both talented engineers – decided they wanted to use their skills to do something to benefit the world.

“Growing up, we were inspired by TV shows like Scrapheap Challenge and MythBusters, where they built things,” says Sam Rogers. “We wanted to create something a bit like that, but for a good cause.”

So, Sam and his friend Edwin Towler co-founded Tandem Ventures, a company that creates bespoke inventions to aid scientists to help wildlife. They're part of a growing breed of innovators applying cutting-edge technology to the field of conservation (see box, p76). Their business model, however, is unusual. The duo makes films about their exploits, which they post on social media. Brands that fund their projects enjoy publicity, while conservationists are given the inventions for free. “[The firm’s] called Tandem Ventures because we rode a tandem at university,” says Edwin.