• Collaborating with Defra and relevant NE leads across existing and emerging policy mechanisms, advice and guidance.• Providing advice and guidance on policy relating to trees and woodlands, both internally and with partners.• Collaborating with Defra, EA and FC using policy knowledge to develop advice notes and other products to help drive the level of ambition and quality for nature recovery.• Working with partner organisations to help to deliver accreditation and standard setting for the 30by30 commitment.• Supporting the development of internal and external communications with the aim of increasing knowledge of Nature Recovery, 30by30 and LNRS.• Working with Defra to ensure an appropriate Evaluation Strategy for 30by30 is in place and necessary data is being collected.• Working collaboratively across Defra, Natural England, JNCC and relevant external stakeholders to ensure policies and processes are developed using the best evidence & input.

• Responding to complex statutory and non-statutory casework coming from the Forestry Commission around tree establishment – SSSI consents/assents; HRAs; advice, particularly around peat soils, priority habitats and species, including the impact of tree establishment on s41 bird species• Leading on strategy for the local team regarding tree establishment, maximising the opportunities and benefits for Nature Recovery• Strategic engagement with partners around tree establishment to ensure wider benefits are realised, e.g. biodiversity, including with initiatives such as Community Forests• Develop a comprehensive understanding of grant support mechanisms for tree establishment including the new England Woodland Creation Grant.• To be familiar with a range of financial incentives as well as grants (e.g. carbon funding, tax incentives, projected timber revenues) around tree establishment and use this knowledge to advise, inform and influence colleagues, partners and land managers.• Work closely with colleagues in the Forestry Commission to ensure a joint approach to the tree establishment in England (and delivering the Trees Action Plan)• Collaborating with other key areas of NE, including Nature Recovery Networks, to maximise opportunities for nature recovery• Demonstrate and promote understanding of Forestry & Agricultural Environmental Impact Assessments and UK Forestry Standards

• Ensuring the organisation adheres to statutory and policy duties and is compliant with legislation in relation to biodiversity and the natural environment.• Advising operational teams on conservation matters and working across departments to deliver an integrated service in response to ecological objectives and environmental pressures.• Providing high level advice, support and coaching to colleagues on biodiversity issues, both within the Agency and across the Defra network.• Working with other governmental organisations and wider partners to evaluate existing and develop emerging strategies to aid biodiversity conservation and recovery.• Assessing trends in species data and finding innovative ways to conserve priority species.• Organising and delivering training to colleagues across the Business and providing a point-of-contact for support and guidance.• Updating and modifying processes to maintain efficiency across all departments.• Writing briefs for senior leaders on emerging areas of biodiversity interest and communicating these effectively.• Providing an additional contribution by playing a pivotal role in the North East Green Group, improving environmental sustainability across the area, hosting events and managing a team of voluntary ‘Green Champions’.

• Screening Environment Agency activities for biodiversity impacts, providing advice and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation.• Identifying and influencing opportunities to deliver multiple benefits whilst working with natural processes to minimise flood risk and provide ecological diversity.• Managing and developing multi-beneficial partnership projects to improve the environment for wildlife and people.• Integrating biodiversity enhancements, natural capital and ecosystem services into Agency Plans and Strategies, including flood risk maintenance programmes.• Developing and influencing partnerships with other relevant organisations to meet 25 Year Environment Plan, Water Framework Directive and Biodiversity 2020 objectives.• Providing consultation advice on high risk Environment Agency permits and consents, licences and planning applications to ensure that biodiversity and ecosystems are protected, and where relevant enhanced, including Biodiversity Net Gain.• Undertaking a diverse range of ecological survey fieldwork and maintaining data records and analysis.• Working closely with DEFRA colleagues to deliver a strong, shared voice on biodiversity and natural capital.• Reviewing and commenting on woodland creation and management applications for the entire North East area.• Analysing and improving Internal Environmental Management and Sustainability processes and targets.• Working with colleagues to deliver opportunities for wellbeing in the workplace.• Taking an active role in incident response.

Northumberland Wildlife Trust are the leading charity dedicated to nature conservation and environmental education within Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland.My duties included:• Assessing and designating Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) based on their quality of biodiversity and wildlife importance.• Recruiting, training and supervising volunteers to undertake a wide range of ecological surveys on LWS.• Forming strong working partnerships with statutory, corporate and not-for-profit organisations to provide a more holistic approach to nature conservation.• Delivering a range of practical habitat improvements to enhance ecological diversity and address water quality issues.• Developing engaging and exciting projects to address regional and national conservation concerns.• Fundraising and applying for grants for new and existing projects; submitting claims and managing project finances.• Organising and delivering surveys and training for a range of different species including great crested newts, otter, grasslands and ancient woodlands.• Contributing to regional Catchment Partnership Group discussions to formulate projects to be included in the Medium Term Plan for riparian improvements based on Water Framework Directive (WFD) criteria.• Delivering land management advice and improvements to land owners and managers, including the creation of habitat management plans.• Assessing and responding to planning applications in three local authorities and providing guidance where appropriate.• Coordinating exciting and novel events for our wider conservation engagement programme to benefit people and wildlife.• Designing and implementing organisational systems within the conservation team for improved productivity.• Assisting businesses and members of the public in wildlife queries and projects, providing advice on how to make the most of habitats and species on their sites.

Living Waterways is a partnership project set-up between the Environment Agency and the Northumberland, Durham and Tees Wildlife Trusts. It aims to reduce diffuse pollution under the EU Water Framework Directive through the engagement of local communities with their water courses.Living Waterways works to deliver practical and informative habitat creation and maintenance works and education projects to a wide range of people from all walks of life, thereby strengthening ties with the general public and local authorities, as well as encouraging community engagement and local interest in watercourses in urban areas.Through the delivery of practical conservation techniques, wetland and watercourse habitat creation and management, and general wildlife awareness activities, sustainable water targets are being met across the whole of the North East region.Duties include:• Delivering a programme of activities through an EA-funded partnership on watercourses that are failing under the European Water Framework Directive.• Liaising with landowners and partners to identify suitable sites for practical works and providing management plans thereafter.• Undertaking practical conservation tasks on watercourses providing habitats for plant and animal species. • Liaising with external stakeholders and partners, and encouraging participation in upcoming projects. • Managing volunteer activities in a responsible and friendly way. • Providing educational activities for schools and community groups to enthuse and inspire people.• Conducting riparian surveys to assess ecological and water quality of waterways. • Managing budgets and writing bids in a discrete, precise and logical manner.• Organising and running community events and consultations. • Communicating the project’s and the Trust’s values to the wider public in a variety of scenarios. • Assisting the Trust team in any tasks where appropriate.

What started as an Industrial Placement alongside my Animal Management HND, I voluntarily provide my services to the Northumberland Wildlife Trust in a similar role to that of the conservation officers and ecologists currently at the trust.Skills developed during this role include: • Ecological surveys - newts, grasslands, woodlands, basic fern, sedges and rushes, bogs, crayfish, coastal habitats, small mammals and birds.• Volunteer coordination (during public events and habitat management).• Practical skills: damming peatland bogs, habitat management and maintenance.• Waterways conservation • Knowledge of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).• Phase 1 Habitat Surveys.• Red squirrel conservation.• Data collection.

Driving innovation in science and technology, my work at CPI has married my knowledge of scientific processes (particularly biotechnology) with my skills in writing, communications and graphic design for a range of different projects, often incorporating sustainable processes.Duties include:• Disseminating science to government, industry and the public, communicating to all levels. • Writing, proofing and editing copy for online and print mediums in public and private fields.• Managing the social networking for several different science and technology projects. • Developing a social networking plan for implementation with a range of clients. • Managing, designing and writing for newsletters catered to internal and external markets. • Writing press releases and articles for regional and national publications; print and web. • Working as a photographer capturing and editing images for use in print and web. • Assisting in filming, editing and transcribing of events, interviews and online content.

Self-employed proof reader for national and international students.

Four years experience working as a freelance writer for the web.