Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom
An ecologist working to ensure that the much needed private capital directed to nature and climate delivers the positive impact required to achieve net-zero and nature positive. Previously working in consultancy and NGOs to support businesses to manage and mitigate their impacts on nature.
Working within the Extractives and Development Infrastructure team, my role focused the identification and implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) within the private sector. I supported the development of corporate net-positive impact strategies as well as the the identification of NbS opportunities to meet corporate sustainability commitments and community needs while delivering positive biodiversity outcomes.
My role within the Business and Biodiversity Programme involves supporting our private sector partners in the interpretation and application of scientific data regarding biodiversity. This included: 1). The development of the biodiversity module of ENCORE, helping financial institutions identify and manage their impacts and dependencies on natural capital. 2). The development of environmental and social safeguards for blended finance to incentivize sustainable agriculture in collaboration with UN Environment Programme's Climate Finance Unit in Geneva. 3). Technical lead on the Biodiversity Indicators for Site-based Impacts methodology, supporting companies understand their performance in relation to impacts upon biodiversity. 4). Technical lead for MESA (Mapping Environmentally Sensitive Assets), a spatial tool supporting a wide range of organisations in integrating environmental sensitivity into decision-making.
Leading a team of junior and freelance ecologist on a wide range of consultancy projects. This included both field and desktop studies for biodiversity baseline studies, EIA's, EMMP's, and Habitat Enhancement projects. The role also involved growing Enviro Pro's Ecological Assessment Division. Projects include: Sentosa Island Biodiversity Study: A 10 month island wide study to establish a scientifically credible baseline for biodiversity on Sentosa Island, Singapore. Taxa included are Mammals, Reptiles, Amphibians, Birds, Butterflies, and Odonates; as well as a floral and intertidal survey. The project fed into the masterplanning process for development on Sentosa as well as a strategic EIA for coastal defence options in the face of predicted sea-level rise. EMMP for expansion works at the Bukit Kallang Service Reservoir, Singapore. This involves compliance monitoring of the contractor as well as weekly biodiversity monitoring of a range of taxa, which includes camera trapping. EMMP for the expansion of the KPE/TPE intersection at Lorong Halus, Singapore. The project involves monthly biodiversity and compliance monitoring. Annual biodiversity baseline study at Lorong Halus, Singapore. This project is an expansion of the EMMP above. A full baseline survey of Lorong Halus was carried out for comparison with previous years since the beginning of construction in 2015. Habitat restoration at Jurong Lake Gardens West, Singapore. The project looked at how best to reinstate 4.5ha of damaged parkland with high quality habitat including grassland, woodland, and aquatic habitats.
Conducting both field and desktop studies for Biodiversity Baseline studies, EIA's, EMMP's, and Habitat Enhancement projects. The role also involved growing Enviro Pro's Ecological Assessment Division.
Engaged in freelance contracts for a variety of environmental consultancy projects. My input has included field surveys, technical advise, and report writing, as well as complete projects. Projects have included: 1). The EIA for a major infrastructure project to extend an expressway in North-east Singapore. 2). The baseline survey for the expansion of a PUB waterworks in the Chesnut Park area of Singapore's extensive Central Catchment Nature Reserve 3). Pre-Construction monitoring of the impacts of a pipeline to increase the capacity of the Bukit Kallang reservoir, Singapore 4). The Rapid Faunal Assessment for the residential development and road expansion at Fernvale Road, Singapore.
My continually developing role at Ecofieldtrips now incorporated the management of the company's operations and 15 staff as well as the development and execution of various scientific research and conservation projects. Duties include: Operations - Oversight of programme coordinators and the progress of fieldtrips Reviewing post-trip reports and feedback then implementing solutions where necessary. Compiling effective staffing schedules Recruitment of new staff. Science Programme - Principle Investigator for 3 university level research themes. Developing high school science fieldtrips to align with syllabus specifics. Developing science and conservation opportunities - currently investigating the potential for a mobile app to aid citizen science on Tioman Island, Malaysia.
My role with Ecofieldtrips evolved from that of a field biologist to incorporate creating, planning and delivering exiciting science based fieldtrips. Duties included: 1). Liaising with clients to gain an understanding of the specific focus they require in their fieldtrips. 2). Creating new and innovative itineraries to meet client needs. 3). Designing surveys for data collection at a range of qualification levels. 4). Working with suppliers to ensure fieldtrips are delivered efficiently, safely and to a high standard. 5). Briefing field staff about the specifics of fieldtrips. 6). Overseeing or leading fieldtrips.
During my time at this established environmental education and field trip provider I have progressed from a solely field based role to one with increased responsibility encompassing both field work and project development. My duties included: 1). Leading survey orientated field study programmes to obtain high quality data collection for higher level school (IB, A-Level, AP) or university level data requirements 2). Project development to improve education, data collection and conservation benefits of new and existing programmes. 3). Providing biological expertise on field based environmental awareness trips through-out south-east Asia 4). Producing and delivering lecture series for a range of qualification levels covering topics including but not limited to rainforest ecology, mangroves, coral reefs diversity and conservation from both global and local perspectives. 5). Meeting with and presenting our programmes to prospective clients. 6). Organising and coordinating trip logistics and equipment (often requires troubleshooting in remote locations).