I
am known for my enthusiasm as a guide and naturalist with experience
in Africa, the Americas, Antarctica, Asia, the Caribbean, the Indian
Ocean and Europe. I've encountered wildlife from Alligators to 7m Anacondas
and Blue Whales to Blue Sharks with invaluable experience as a guide
at Explorer's
Inn in the rainforests of Tambopata, SE Peru, helping to set up
TReeS (the Tambopata
Reserve Society). In the UK I have led wildlife walking holidays with
HFholidays and cruises around
the diverse coastline.
With over 23 years postgraduate experience in the UK I'm at the forefront
of environmental issues and I am a full member of the Institute
of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM). I've been a birdwatcher
since childhood with skills as an ornithologist and also have been an
experienced herpetologist surveying reptiles and amphibians for the
last 19 years for a wide range of clients.
I'm
an experienced marine naturalist from being the ship's naturalist on
expeditions to leading whale watching trips with various tour operators.
I am a co-author of SEALIFE - A Complete Guide to the Marine Environment
and familiar with life at sea. I've seen 4 species of turtle, 41+ species
of whales & dolphins, 16 other marine mammals, and around half the
species of seabird. I'm also an advanced BSAC diver familiar with underwater
surveys, a qualified BSAC boat handler to RYA standards, and a member
of Kingston
BSAC that won the Heinke trophy as BSAC club of the year in 2004.
I have skills as a photographer (highly recommended in the 1986 BBC
Wildlife Photographer competition with this picture) and I have practical
awareness of ecotourism issues.
My experiences as a naturalist are central to my presentations, from
stunning travel talks to conference sessions guaranteed to have the
audience on the edge of their seats. Renowned as an enthusiastic speaker,
I was a founder member of the PSA
- the Professional Speakers Association - and I've been a fellow of
the Royal Geographical
Society since 1986.
And to relax - I like to dance lambada,
meringue and salsa
- the dancing naturalist!
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