Rachel Potter (Née Taylor) Email & Phone Number

Newport, United Kingdom

Rachel joined BSG Ecology in 2013, was promoted to Senior Ecologist in 2016, and Principal Ecologist in 2019. She regularly designs and completes ecological surveys for planning applications, undertakes ecological appraisals and impact assessments. She also leads condition discharge and monitoring work, including bat fatality searches using dogs at wind farms, and has led on research projects relating to bats. Rachel is also responsible for resource management and programming at the Newport… Show more Rachel joined BSG Ecology in 2013, was promoted to Senior Ecologist in 2016, and Principal Ecologist in 2019. She regularly designs and completes ecological surveys for planning applications, undertakes ecological appraisals and impact assessments. She also leads condition discharge and monitoring work, including bat fatality searches using dogs at wind farms, and has led on research projects relating to bats. Rachel is also responsible for resource management and programming at the Newport office, and has a key role in ensuring effective inter-office resourcing.Rachel holds protected species licences for bats and great crested newt, and has previously held survey licences for medicinal leech (all in both England and Wales). She has also prepared a number of successful European Protected Species Mitigation (EPSM) Licence applications for great crested newt and bats.Rachel has a wide range of experience, predominantly managing complex projects within the renewables, heritage and public sectors. She regularly provides advice on legislation, planning policy and industry guidance relating to the natural environment to developers and planners. Rachel works closely with clients and project teams helping to develop design schemes that include proportionate mitigation and measurable enhancement plans, so that the best outcomes can be achieved. Prior to joining BSG Ecology, Rachel completed a BSc in Zoology and MSc in Environmental Biology: Conservation and Resource Management at Swansea University. She also worked as a freshwater ecologist for the Swansea Ecological Research Team (SERT). Show less

Monmouth

Rachel joined BSG Ecology in April 2013, as an Ecologist, in August 2016 she was promoted to Senior Ecologist.Rachel’s role includes project management of small and large scale schemes, resourcing, planning and undertaking bat surveys and monitoring exercises, interpreting bat data and compiling reports, particularly with regard to heritage projects (such as maintenance and restoration of castles and other buildings) and wind farm proposals. Since joining BSG Ecology, she has also completed… Show more Rachel joined BSG Ecology in April 2013, as an Ecologist, in August 2016 she was promoted to Senior Ecologist.Rachel’s role includes project management of small and large scale schemes, resourcing, planning and undertaking bat surveys and monitoring exercises, interpreting bat data and compiling reports, particularly with regard to heritage projects (such as maintenance and restoration of castles and other buildings) and wind farm proposals. Since joining BSG Ecology, she has also completed survey work for terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, reptiles, water vole, badger and is a licenced great crested newt and bat surveyor. In 2014 she attended both the UK and Irish bat conferences.In 2015 Rachel presented the findings of BSG Ecology's Pembrokeshire Islands Bat Research at the Welsh bat conference and coordinated / provided training to MSc students on thier dissertation project - Bat use of intertidal habitats in Swansea Bay. Show less

Monmouth

Swansea, United Kingdom

During my role as a researcher with Swansea Ecology Research Team I have had the opportunity to be involved with a number of worthwhile projects. It lead to the successful submission of my BSc dissertation as an article in the Society of Biology’s magazine - Biologist – a process which involved condensing and re-evaluating the style and content of the article as well as communication with editorial staff. The article ‘Otters the unexpected entomophage’ can be viewed in The Biologist, October… Show more During my role as a researcher with Swansea Ecology Research Team I have had the opportunity to be involved with a number of worthwhile projects. It lead to the successful submission of my BSc dissertation as an article in the Society of Biology’s magazine - Biologist – a process which involved condensing and re-evaluating the style and content of the article as well as communication with editorial staff. The article ‘Otters the unexpected entomophage’ can be viewed in The Biologist, October 2010.Some of the projects that I have been involved with included:• Spraint analysis – the identification of animal remains found in Otter spraints, I am also currently collecting samples to add to the current reference bones available and making a photographic account of identifiable bones for both my own use and for that of people new to the process, as identification can be difficult even with the keys currently available; • Post mortems – I have been involved in a large number of post mortems including over 100 birds of differing species, polecat, otter, fox and mink. After sexing weighing and measuring these animals, samples were taken of tongue and thigh along with collection of blood.I enjoy bring aspects of teaching into my academic work and have therefore taken advantage of any opportunity to advise undergraduates within the department; be it via allowing them to have hands on experience during post mortems, advising them on relevant papers available or assisting on field courses. I have had the opportunity to participate in volunteer schemes with local wildlife, for example, helping to improve accessibility to public footpaths in areas important for wildlife and environmental conservation in an effort to increase public education and change perspectives as to the worth of such sites. I have also witnessed council meetings concerning sustainability of resources and the importance of biodiversity, with some discussion of these ideas with council members. Show less

Swansea, United Kingdom

I was employed as a barmaid in 2009 and was subsequently promoted to duty manager. This role involved the development of online social network marketing via Facebook, and creation of most posters/posts for this purpose. I was also accountable for building and money security.On a day to day basis I supervised and trained staff, running the shift appropriate to challenges of the day. I was also relied upon as a source of business development awareness, knowing what is happening with our… Show more I was employed as a barmaid in 2009 and was subsequently promoted to duty manager. This role involved the development of online social network marketing via Facebook, and creation of most posters/posts for this purpose. I was also accountable for building and money security.On a day to day basis I supervised and trained staff, running the shift appropriate to challenges of the day. I was also relied upon as a source of business development awareness, knowing what is happening with our client base and when so as to effectively drive sales through marketing the correct offers at the correct time. The pub is primarily a student/sports bar and therefore aims to be upbeat and friendly. I created in house point of sale displays to promote internal offers and ordered appropriate liquor stocks for the week, choosing which ale to stock given previous sales, judging current market, assessing advertising/promotions to predict upcoming trends. This meant liaising with representatives from breweries to ensure we have to best access to sales and marketing tools which are up to date and effective. I also believe in increasing sales using confidence and knowledge of products, patter and charm. Show less

Msc, Environmental Biology: Conservation And Resource Management, Distinction

Bsc, Zoology