My enthusiasm for natural history dates back to the 1970's growing up in a small town in Devon. Skills gained exploring the local woods (often at night) were useful when I started my professional training in the world of conservation at Hatfield Polytechnic. I graduated in Environmental Studies in 1989 and went straight to the University of Sussex to work as a full time research assistant with Prof. Tim Roper - once again following badgers most nights of the week to study their behaviour. This was followed by an M.Sc. in Conservation at University College London, then a Ph.D in woodland ecology at the University of Liverpool.I have worked as an Ecological Consultant in Devon since 1997 and now specialise in Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, as well as licensed work with bats, badgers, dormice and barn owls. I am a LANTRA accredited badger vaccinator and have links with biodiversity training and education at Sharpham in South Devon.