Toby Ross Email & Phone Number

Seattle, Washington, United States

St Vincent And The Grenadines

Supporting the St. Vincent Forestry Department in Response to Volcanic Disasters.St. Vincent has been racked by a series of volcanic eruptions that began in April 2021, endangering both people and the island’s rare and endemic biodiversity. The goal of the project was to support the St. Vincent Forestry Department to operate safely and effectively to aid both communities and wildlife. The project contributed towards the long-term recovery of species such as the St. Vincent parrot and the St. Vincent blacksnake. Along with monitoring the direct effects of the volcanic eruptions on the forest, it was necessary to monitor wildlife populations to determine which species have been critically reduced, fragmented or escaped to other parts of the country. This work will help elucidate the impacts of eruptions on animal and plant populations, and inform actions to conserve the remaining populations of St. Vincent’s threatened species.My role was to build the capacity of the Forestry Department by developing and delivering a training course on wildlife survey techniques and monitoring. The training modules included species identification, basic research elements, IUCN classifications, survey techniques, data analysis and report writing. Theory learned in the classroom was taken into the field for hands-on practice.

Anguilla

Team Leader on the Sombrero Island Restoration Project - Phase 1: eradication of non-native invasive House Mouse. In addition to the removal of mice, manage eradication team, coordinate logistics and conduct surveys of native lizards and seabirds.

Greater Seattle Area

Managed a suite of community science and conservation projects throughout western Washington that focused on marine and songbird research & monitoring. Engaged partners to elevate and apply project outcomes at a regional level. Recruited and trained community science volunteers on field protocols, oil spill response, data collection and data management. Led international birding trips that support in-country conservation programs and capacity building. Critical components of the job included technical report writing, volunteer management and community building. Collaborated on fundraising efforts through grant writing and budget development, managed awards and ensured timely submission of project reports.

Carribbean & Guatemala

Conducted avian surveys to assess outcomes and benefits of invasive mammalian species eradications on offshore islands in Antigua & Anguilla.Assessed populations of threatened reptile species in Anguilla, Antigua and Saint Lucia. Surveyed >25 offshore islands for presence/absence of invasive sp., and conducted reptile and avian population estimates, and monitoring. Determined field protocols, gathered field data, managed partner relationships, increased in-country capacity through trainings and mentorship. Delivered technical reports and collaborated on peer review manuscripts.Acted as research consultant to create a guide focused on educating farmers on growing Rainforest Alliance certified coffee, while maintaining avian biodiversity. Determined research topics and book structure, identified online and scientific resources, and gathered and synthesized information from relevant scientific and grey literature.

Seattle, Usa, Papua New Guinea, And Australia

Managed all in-country aspects of the conservation and community development program including; creation of a protected area in consultation with indigenous landowners and national government, coordination of research on endemic flagship species, and facilitation of visiting researchersStewarded all levels of government and local landowners to establish a 158,000+ ha category VI IUCN Protected Area, one of the largest conservation areas in Papua New Guinea. Organized and facilitated natural resource land management training workshops with remote village communities resulting in a conservation area management and development plan.Managed and maintained remote field sites for program research and monitoring.Developed and maintained relationships with local village community groups, provincial and national government officials, national and regional NGO’s, universities, and other international collaborators and stakeholders in areas of program work. Provided full logistical support and guidance for project volunteers, multinational visiting donors, international and national program partners, media teams, and professional-exchange participants.Managed, trained and mentored staff and field crews, including creation of work plans, evaluations, and contracts. Increased staff capacity through facilitation of workshops on monitoring, research, sustainable land management, GIS, field protocols and safety. Collaborated on fundraising proposals and co-developed and managed an annual US$1million budget with associated fiscal responsibilities and reporting.

Hiroshima, Japan

Taught English to students with a wide range of abilities in private and classroom settings. Planned lessons, compiled progress reports, determined student learning objectives, and counselled students on their progression, strengthened editing, and personal communication skills.

St. Lucia, Antigua, Anguilla, And The Bahamas

Evaluated impacts of invasive species on native island fauna, and coordinated eradications to conserve endemic reptile species and regionally threatened seabirds.Determined reinvasion of non-native mammalian species on offshore islands, as well as undertook censuses of island reptile species. Devised effective evaluation and field protocols, coordinated fieldwork and organized logistics. Liaised with local NGO’s and government officials, analyzed data, and produced final report.Eradicated invasive species to conserve endemic reptiles in Antigua and The Bahamas.Collected field data, managed project budgets, facilitated training workshops with local government officials, conducted conservation awareness through school visits and media outlets.

Bristol, United Kingdom

Developed four documentaries examining the diversity of reptiles;PBS “THE REPTILES” Episodes: Alligators and Crocodiles; Turtles and Tortoises; Snakes; and Lizards. Broadcast in the US as part of the NATURE series.

Applied Ecology And Conservation

Master of Science in Applied Ecology and Conservation

Biology

Bachelors of Science in Biology

National Diploma, Countryside Management