Leon Berard Email & Phone Number

Motueka, Tasman, New Zealand

Since 2016 I've worked for DOC in a variety of roles in the Motueka, Kāpiti-Wellington districts, and on Little Barrier Island/Hauturu:Carrying out annual weed survey and control for three months on Mana Island. Transect searched the whole island, mapping and controlling weed species as found. Carrying out the annual weed survey and control programme for three months on Little Barrier Island/Hauturu. Detecting and controlling climbing asparagus and pampas was the priority… Show more Since 2016 I've worked for DOC in a variety of roles in the Motueka, Kāpiti-Wellington districts, and on Little Barrier Island/Hauturu:Carrying out annual weed survey and control for three months on Mana Island. Transect searched the whole island, mapping and controlling weed species as found. Carrying out the annual weed survey and control programme for three months on Little Barrier Island/Hauturu. Detecting and controlling climbing asparagus and pampas was the priority. Acting Kāpiti and Mana Island ranger and cover ranger. This involved hihi/stitchbird supplementary feeding, volunteer and visitor management, visitor asset and facility maintenance, administration, routine trap network checks, managing and tracking takahē during the breeding season, as well as unique projects such as constructing weka exclusion fences around the tītī colony. In 2019 I had two fortnight-long staff development trips to Anchor Island and Whenua Hou to assist the Kākāpō Recovery Group during the breeding season. Tasks involved signalling for and catching kākāpō, carrying out routine health checks and supplementary feeding.2019 - 2021 I managed Kāpiti-Wellington district marine reserve compliance and monitoring as a marine reserve ranger. This included following up on incidents from Kāpiti and Taputeranga marine reserves, interviewing persons of interest, and working with community groups and other agencies to improve compliance in the area. I undertook proactive and reactive infrastructure maintenance and upgrades to support the understanding and appreciation of the reserves, as well as to encourage compliance. I developed a strong relationship with local Fisheries and maritime Police staff. I led the writing and implementation of the ecological monitoring plans for the reserves, with input from mana whenua/moana whenua.I currently work at the Motueka district office carrying out pest plant and animal control and monitoring, and threatened species monitoring. Show less

Over 250 sea days experience in set net, purse seine and trawl fisheries on New Zealand and foreign crewed vessels both inside and outside the NZ EEZ. Tasks include biological sampling of fish, catch assessment, processed fish product recovery rate testing, seabird and marine mammal identification, mitigation interactions, recording fishing activity and gear specifications, satellite tagging, compliance monitoring and auditing vessel recording systems.

Dunedin, Nz

Monitoring south island robins at two field sites during the breeding season. Work included nest finding and monitoring, GIS mapping, box trapping, banding and bleeding, and pest monitoring using chew track cards and trail cameras.

Ulva Island, Stewart Island, New Zealand

Assisted with Stewart Island robin monitoring as part of the requirements for studying towards my Wildlife Management PGDip. Involved nest finding, GPS navigation, monitoring nesting success, catching robins by box trap, banding, taking blood samples, taking wing and tarsus measurements, recording saddleback and mohua encounters, mist netting for a saddleback transfer to Orokonui Ecosanctuary, and living in an isolated environment with limited modern amenities. Conducted… Show more Assisted with Stewart Island robin monitoring as part of the requirements for studying towards my Wildlife Management PGDip. Involved nest finding, GPS navigation, monitoring nesting success, catching robins by box trap, banding, taking blood samples, taking wing and tarsus measurements, recording saddleback and mohua encounters, mist netting for a saddleback transfer to Orokonui Ecosanctuary, and living in an isolated environment with limited modern amenities. Conducted fieldwork individually but worked with a larger team to routinely check robin territories on the island. Required accurate fieldwork observations, note taking and paperwork to ensure data from the field season was as precise as possible. Show less

Master’S Degree, Master Of Wildlife Management, Distinction

Investigated factors influencing the foraging behaviour of yellow-eyed penguins (Megadyptes antipodes) on the South Otago Shelf. This.

Postgraduate Diploma, Wildlife Management, Distinction

Bachelor Of Science (Bsc), Zoology