Karen has over 25 years’ experience of professional ecology. Having run surveys of ancient woodland, grassland and rivers throughout Gloucestershire, she was made Conservation Officer of the Wildlife Trust in 1989. Since 1991 she has worked in private practice on projects for the public, voluntary and private sectors.Karen has extensive experience in ecological planning, providing realistic advice aimed at achieving truly sustainable development as efficiently as possible. She led the team of experts which wrote the Ecological Impact Assessment Guidelines for the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM, 2006). This is now the method approved by all national and local ecology consultees. She has managed and written many Ecological Impact Assessments and Habitats Regulations Assessments. In recent years she has taken a particular interest in the evolution of mitigation requirements for recreational and air quality impacts on European Sites. She has presented evidence as an expert witness at over 50 public inquiries and EiPs. In parallel, Karen has run field-based landscape history courses for Visually Impaired People for more than 20 years, firstly for the University of Bristol and more recently for a small charity called Add Venture in Learning. She has devised a teaching method which has enabled many VIPs to comprehend and enjoy the distinctive character of many parts of the UK, ranging from the Scillies to the Orkneys.Karen has recently been made a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management and is an independent member of their Advisory Forum. Professional Experience2013 – present Managing Director, Ecological Planning & Research Limited2005 - 2013 Director, EPR1999 - 2005 Free-lance Ecological Consultant1995 - 1999 Countryside Planning and Management1991 - 1995 Free-lance Ecological Consultant1985 - 1991 Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, last three years as Conservation Officer