Profile

I’ve always loved the outdoors, walking and cycling in nature, spotting wildlife, and exploring maps. That curiosity led me to study Environmental Management at university and later complete a PhD all about how city green spaces, like parks and wild land, help the environment and people. When I’m not working, I enjoy hiking, gaming, cooking and reading about history, science and geography.

I’m an ecologist and GIS technician, which means I look after nature using both science and technology.
Out in the field, I survey habitats  these are places where animals and plants live. I might record what species are growing in an area, check for protected animals like bats or badgers, or measure soil and water quality.
Back in the office, I use GIS (Geographic Information Systems)  special computer software that helps me create and study maps. These maps show where wildlife lives, how land is used, and how areas can be improved to help nature.
My work helps protect green spaces, guide new developments, and make cities better for both people and wildlife.

Some days I’m out in the countryside doing a badger survey! This is where I set up camera traps to capture videos and photos of badgers at night and look for signs of their activity, like footprints, burrows (called setts), and paths through the grass. In the afternoon, I use mapping software to mark where I found each sign so we can understand how the badgers use their habitat. Later, I get to watch the night-time clips and photos, sometimes spotting playful badger cubs exploring after dark! Other days I can be sampling water from ponds for amphibian DNA to check for their presence in the water and provide protection. All of these activities need a report to be made to tell the client what we found or did not find and these are usually written inbetween doing outside surveys.