Mark Stevenson

Head of Nature Recovery

London Area, United Kingdom

About

Mark is Head of Nature Recovery for the Forestry Commission. He works as a policy adviser and is responsible for the Forestry Commission's support for the Local Nature Recovery and Protected Site Strategies across England. Prior to that, he was Higher Education Lecturer in ecology and conservation at Merrist Wood College and University Center and before that was deputy head of Defra's National Biodiversity and Ivory Division, and led on the government's Nature and Pollinator Strategies. He headed up the team responsible for Nature Recovery Network policy and finance, the implementation of international commitments on biodiversity in domestic policy and coordination of implementation across the UK. Before this he was research programme manager for Defra’ Natural Environment Directorate. This involved science programme and project management, personnel management and the provision of scientific advice to ministers and policy colleagues. Prior to that he was senior ecologist for the Rural Development Service and worked on the development of Environmental Stewardship, ecological training and the management of specialist networks. He has also worked in consultancy, charitable and research sectors specialising in site evaluation and management; biological monitoring and training in species identification, land management and sustainable agriculture. He has a research and publication record in arable ecology, habitat restoration and species conservation. He is an active volunteer for the British Trust for Ornithology and a poor one for the local Botanical Society.

Experience

  • Head of Nature Recovery at Forestry Commission
    Sep 2022 - Present · 3 yrs 10 mos

    Mark is Head of Nature Recovery in the Policy Advice Team. He is responsible for the Forestry Commission's support for the Local Nature Recovery Strategies across England, as well as for planning, monitoring and reporting on Forestry Commission's wider role in delivering nature recovery.

  • Lecturer - ecology, wildlife and biodiversity at Merrist Wood College
    Oct 2021 - Oct 2022 · 1 yr 1 mo

    Lecturer - ecological theory, habitat assessment and wildlife survey. Wildlife protection, conservation and management. Global biodiversity conservation, valuation and assessment.

  • Deputy Head - National Biodiversity and Ivory Division at Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
    Sep 2019 - Oct 2021 · 2 yrs 2 mos

    Policy, strategy and team management Nature and Pollinator Strategies Nature Recovery Network UK Biodiversity Framework

  • Defra (10 yrs 9 mos)
    • Head of Nature Policy Team and Science Adviser - biodiversity and ecosystems
      Apr 2017 - Sep 2017 · 6 mos

      Implementation and future direction of biodiversity policy in England Integration of biodiversity outcomes into 25 Year Environment Plan UK biodiversity policy coordination Science advice - pollinators, protected species, land management for wildlife and ecosystem services

    • Programme lead - Natural Environment Evidence Coordination and Scientific Advice
      Nov 2016 - Mar 2017 · 5 mos

      Defra Group evidence planning and investment coordination oversight of Natural Environment evidence budget planning Lead Adviser Wildlife Science Input to 25 Year Environment Plan

    • Evidence manager
      2007 - Oct 2016 · 9 yrs 10 mos

      Strategic evidence planning and management of evidence programme. Research and evidence project development and contract management (biodiversity change, assessment; emerging threats). Project management Head of UK Delegation to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Scientific advice. Line management

  • Senior Ecologist (national) at Rural Development Service
    2001 - 2007 · 6 yrs