Tom joined UES as a Graduate Ecologist in 2017 after graduating from the University of Lancaster with a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences and an MSc in Ecology & Conservation. In his current role as Senior Ecologist, Tom conducts a range of ecological surveys including protected species, botanical and habitat surveys as well as preparing various reports, ecological management plans and planning documents.
Tom is an associate member of CIEEM and is experienced in surveying for a range of protected species, holding great crested newt survey licences in England, Wales and Scotland and holding a Natural England bat class 1 survey licence.
Tom’s main area of interest is botany, and he holds a level 5 field identification skills certificate (FISC) from the Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland (BSBI), which certifies him as competent to undertake preliminary ecological appraisals, as well as more complex botanical surveys, such as national vegetation classification (NVC) surveys. He also continues to improve his botanical knowledge through field meetings with the BSBI and the Wildflower Society and by attending Field Studies Council courses.
Tom has been certified by the Freshwater Biological Association as competent to conduct family-level invertebrate identification for biotic assessment. Tom is also a qualified NPTC Level 2 tree climber and undertakes aerial inspection surveys for bats. He also possesses a CSCS card, and has undergone asbestos awareness, national water safety management and emergency first aid training.