Phil Dowling Email & Phone Number

Threave Nature Reserve

Working within a small team to coordinate and work on a variety of seasonal tasks involved with the running of a nature reserve. The Nature Reserve has been undergoing a 100 year, Landscape Restoration Project since 2020; this involves the restoration of the site's wetlands, woodlands and grasslands with the aim of increasing biodiversity over the whole site and creating a re-naturalised, more climate resilient, landscape. The role can be very reactive at times, acting quickly to respond to issues on site such as fallen trees and path and hide repairs. The remainder of the time is planned to engage with visitors, undertake guided walks/activities, continue restoration works across the reserve and surveying of flora and fauna.Coordination of the reserves ecological surveys, these cover the majority of species groups present on the reserve. I manage survey volunteers, providing maps and survey forms as well as collecting their data. I undertake many surveys myself throughout the year such as breeding birds, water vole, otter, dragonflies, butterflies, water invertebrates and bats.Coordinate over 20+ volunteers working directly on the Nature Reserve. This involves managing rota's, designating practical tasks, maintaining health and safety in the workplace, purchasing new equipment, handling donations, and managing lone working communications.Daily social media input into 2 National Trust for Scotland Facebook pages. Updates regarding wildlife, work undertaken on the reserve and nature-based blog posts.Assisted with creation of catalogue of new activities available for visitors to the reserve such as bat walks, rock-pooling, tree planting and guided walks.

Newton Stewart, Scotland, United Kingdom

Co-ordinating large and medium scale habitat restoration projects across 6 main river catchments in Galloway. This entailed restoration design and logistics, as well as surveying and stakeholder engagement.Undertaking Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) surveys and management in the region. GIS mapping of restoration projects and INNS.

Newton Stewart, Scotland, United Kingdom

Working on the Salmon habitat restoration project for GFT. This aimed to identify priority areas for restoration, then design and implement works, in partnership with others, to improve salmon habitats and water quality.The post is funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and the Scottish Government.

Inverness

Undertaking ornithological fieldwork in relation to proposed/constructed wind-farm developments. This involves adhering to fieldwork methodology to maintain consistency, good bird ID skills and attention to detail when filling in datasheets and maps.

Invernes

I was responsible for reviewing public planning registers and responding to forestry and planning casework. I organised and led several bird surveys and protected species projects, involving managing volunteers and liaising with funders (involved creating risk assessments and lone working procedures). Frequently involved in using GIS. I responded to queries from external organisations and members of the public regarding ecological issues. I worked in collaborations to produce responses to developments and forestry as well as producing information for the public relating to specific Conservation projects.

Inverness, United Kingdom

In this role I gained experience in responding to consultations for planning developments and forestry schemes. I undertook ornithological survey work, trained volunteers and met consultants on development sites. Created risk assessments for an equipment store and management tasks.

Inverness, United Kingdom

I developed habitat survey and GIS skills working on the Upland mapping pilot project. I trained to do NVC and EUNIS vegetation surveys, undertaking fieldwork in the Scottish Highlands with a small team, data entry and production of habitat maps

Central Highlands Nature Reserves (Inverness)

Responsible for practical management tasks and ecological surveys on RSPB reserves across the central Highlands. Involved both lone and team working alongside staff and volunteers, fieldwork and liaising with contractors. Main practical tasks involved: weed spraying and strimming of paths, herbicide spraying of INNS, hide maintenance and controlling hydrology of sites to maintain suitable wading bird habitat. Assisted with guided walks and frequently chatted to visitors.

Insh Marshes Nature Reserve (Kingussie)

I developed a range of new practical management skills, undertook ecological surveys and management of volunteers. Main practical tasks involved: visitor infrastructure maintenance, vegetation clearance with strimmer, fence erection, path and hide maintenance, herbicide application and tractor work. Assisted with guided walks and frequently chatted to visitors.