I have a lifelong fascination with nature, and I work in conservation. I help devise and plan the monitoring and condition assessment of England’s Sites of Special Scientific Interest, which are some of our most important and protected wildlife sites. I have a degree in Ecology and Conservation, and I’ve been a passionate advocate of rewilding and process-led conservation since I first found out about it. As well as working professionally in conservation, I have been a climate and nature activist since teenagehood, recognising the urgent action needed in the face of our ecological crises. For many years I’ve been longing to restore a patch of land for nature.

My conservation background is in UK protected sites and monitoring, particularly habitat monitoring. I have field survey experience in:

• Habitats, for the purposes of condition assessment, including woodland, lowland and upland calcareous grassland, acid grassland, hay meadows, dry and wet heath, calaminarian grassland, blanket bog, and flushes;
• Botany, as part of long-term monitoring for change, including woodland, dune systems, upland calcareous grasslands and flushes, alpine heath and other montane habitats, heathland, and fens;
• Mammals, including small mammal trapping, otter surveys, water vole surveys, and training in terrestrial mammal ID and field signs.

An important element of condition assessments is understanding what impacts management is having, and how our protected sites can be improved. Along with monitoring experience, this work has also given me insight into land management, and how our habitats can be best managed for nature. I supplement this with my own reading around rewilding, as it's a particular interest of mine. Though monitoring is incredibly interesting, it’s not always clear that it leads to better outcomes for our ecosystems. I’m really excited about monitoring my land and then actually having the chance to apply the insights through management!

Having worked in the theatre industry for 10 years, the Covid pandemic was, as I'm sure it was for many, a life changing moment for me. With the announcement of both the Climate and Biodiversity Crises in the UK, I realised that I wanted to do more to help mitigate these disasters. I used lockdown to re-train, taking a Masters in Ecology at Reading University. Since then, I've worked as an Assistant Ranger, Ranger and now Lead Ranger for Bracknell Forest Council, looking after around 100 sites, ranging from urban parks, to Special Protected Areas (SPAs) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest. In Bracknell Forest we manage an eclectic mix of habitats, including ancient woodland, lowland heath, hay meadows, wildflower meadows, ponds, lakes and reedbeds, rivers and streams and hedgerows. I've put together site management and habitat management plans, as well as contributed towards specific recovery strategies.

As part of my role, as well as voluntary work I've done for the Wildlife Trust, Berkshire Mammal Group and the Amphibian and Reptile Group, I've gained experience surveying birds, mammals, reptiles, butterflies and flora of various habitat types. I have detailed knowledge in practical habitat management, specifically heathland, meadows, woodland, acidic grassland, ponds and wetlands, and scrub, and I always endeavour to apply this knowledge for the benefit of wildlife and people.

I currently hold certificates in felling up to 380mm trees, tractor driving, excavating, side arm flailing and level 1 tree inspection.

During the day I am a scientific software engineer with a sideline in sustainable computing. I have a background in physics and a broad interest in sustainability. While this work supports the development of practical technology for a sustainable future I am well aware of urgency of making changes in the world now. I put my spare time and efforts towards a number of important projects:

• Manchester Library of Things - reduces waste by lending tools and equipment for DIY, gardening, events, camping, and more, saving people needing to buy things they only use occasionally.
• Levenshulme Repair Cafe - prolonging the lifetime of appliances, reducing waste and saving money.
• Kindling Farm - a co-operative owned, ecologically sustainable farm, demonstrating methods of food production that support biodiversity and access to healthy food.
• Environmental campaigning - much of the required change needs to be driven by governments and organisations. I've been involved in various campaigns and protests for many years.

I aim to bring my scientific knowledge and problem solving mindset along with my technical and project management skills.