Garth Mortimer Email & Phone Number

Scotland, United Kingdom

Caledonian Climate Partners (CCP) is deeply committed to tackling climate change and nature loss through the long-term restoration of degraded peatlands. The mission is to bring together forward thinking landholders and business leaders to address climate change and reverse biodiversity loss. CCP does this by implementing best practice restoration on expertly planned and managed projects thatadd value to all key partners and the wider community.

Scotland, United Kingdom

Ecology Services, Ecological Management Planning and Strategy, Conservation Leadership and Capability Development.

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Directed internal/external conservation operations and program management by facilitating technical and specialist activities to foster strategic alliances with government conservation agencies and Non-Profit Organisations to strengthen organisational capacity. Facilitated training and mentoring of internal/external operational staff. Managed Biodiversity Mainstreamer, Conservation Planner and Land Use Advice Scientific Team. Mobilised resources through fund raising and development, implementation and management of externally funded projects. Regulated nature reserves’ compliance to National Environmental Management Protected Areas Act. ● Boosted number of hectares under formal conservation by 130 000ha, within five years, by accelerating implementation of strategic and operational capacity of Western Cape Protected Area Expansion Strategy.● Chaired three separate committees: Protected Area Expansion and Biodiversity Stewardship Reference Group, Protected Area Expansion, Biodiversity Stewardship Review Group and Landscape Advisory Committee.● Engaged in national forums such as Protected Areas Technical Task Team, Biodiversity Stewardship Technical Working Group and Joint Planning Task Team. ● Developed and executed three externally funded projects including WWF-SA Leslie Hill Succulent Karoo Trust Stewardship Project, Conservation at Work Landowner Incentives, Technical Support Project, and Table Mountain Fund: Bridging Support for New Nature Reserve Declarations Project.

Western Cape, South Africa

Provide strategic leadership and operational guidance to the Western Cape community of practice to ensure that the Western Cape Protected Area Expansion Strategy and Landscape Conservation Initiatives, including biodiversity corridors, World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves are effectively implemented and results in an adequate and representative protected area network being secured and effectively managed; Manage and support the Conservation Planner, Biodiversity Mainstreamer and the Land Use Advice Team.

Worcester Area, South Africa

Conducted biodiversity evaluations to capture and collate baseline information; and performed ecological audits to produce annual reports. Developed Strategic Management Plans for Biodiversity Stewardship sites. Coordinated implementation of effective cross sectoral extension services, with partnering organisations, to improve environmental management best practices in agricultural landscapes. Promoted landowner stewardship, investments and incentive projects in critical lowland habitats to support restoration and management of ecosystems on private/communal land.● Headed Leslie Hill Succulent Karoo Trust Stewardship Project in Central Breede River Valley.● Secured five formal conservation contracts with landowners under CapeNature’s Biodiversity Stewardship Programme. ● Augmented internal/external competencies through training and mentoring at peer learning workshops and ecology forums.● Planned and hosted landowner awareness day to demonstrate soil conservation, erosion control and restoration techniques.● Organised Citizen Scientist Bioblitz with Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers and Friends of Vrolijkeid Nature Reserve to conduct baseline surveys and establish species lists for private conservation areas.

Prepared and implemented project plans based on extensive ecological surveys, habitat investigation and scientific observations. Guided habitat conservation strategy discussions with landowners and key stakeholders to ensure compliance to contract terms and protection of endangered species on private/communal land. Assisted landowners in fulfilling externally funded habitat conservation projects. Controlled budget allocations and compiled financial reports for review by senior management and internal/external stakeholders. ● Successfully negotiated 12 conservation contracts with property owners under CapeNature’s Biodiversity Stewardship programme.● Collaborated with Provincial Department of Agriculture, amongst 12 other partnering organisations, to establish first Collaborative Extension Group in Upper Breede River Valley. Advocated for sustainable agricultural development, biodiversity and natural resource conservation, river maintenance and management, environmental education and awareness and community upliftment through training and employment opportunities.● Served as Secretary to Upper Breede Collaborative Extension Group and organised quarterly meetings with partners and stakeholders. Set agenda points and transcribed meeting minutes.● Planned and hosted landowner awareness days to create awareness of endangered species and habitats, river health and management, mechanical and biological control of invasive alien plant species, holistic management of damage causing wildlife and focused on preventing wire snare setting on farm boundary fences.

Directed strategic workflow of alien clearing projects, including scheduling and quantifying labour required for contracts. Managed incoming tenders for projects. Monitored production and quality standards, compliance to health and safety guidelines and project progress. Compiled formal reports with GIS based data, for review by senior management. Supervised adherence to best practices in herbicide and equipment storage. Maintained comprehensive project documentation and ensured projects were delivered timeously and within budget. ● Facilitated training, mentoring and capacity building of contractors.

Employed as a nature guide and conservator at this five star lodge and private nature reserve.

Employed as an Interpretive Services Officer for the practical component of the National Diploma in Nature Conservation.

Btech, Nature Conservation

National Diploma, Nature Conservation