Dr Vicky Armitage
BSc PhD MIEEM
Vicky joined Baker Shepherd Gillespie in April 2008. She has 10 years' experience of working in and studying ecology and conservation. Previous employers include the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, Natural England, the Environment Agency and the University of Newcastle. This variety of work experience has given her many practical and surveying skills in a range of habitats and species.
In 2001 Vicky successfully completed a PhD investigating the influence of habitat type and mammal predation on the spatial ecology of the Atlantic white-clawed crayfish. Through the use of innovative radio-tracking and GIS techniques she was able to establish crayfish home ranges and movement patterns that determined the habitat preferences for this species. Vicky's results can be used to benefit crayfish conservation.
Since joining BSG, Vicky has been involved in Phase 1 habitat surveys and protected species surveys for water vole, otter, badger, bats and crayfish. She currently holds a Natural England survey licence for white-clawed crayfish. She has also produced technical reports and ecology chapters for Environmental Statements.
Vicky is a founder member of Northumbria Mammal Group and is an active member of their committee.
BSc PhD MIEEM
Vicky joined Baker Shepherd Gillespie in April 2008. She has 10 years' experience of working in and studying ecology and conservation. Previous employers include the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, Natural England, the Environment Agency and the University of Newcastle. This variety of work experience has given her many practical and surveying skills in a range of habitats and species.
In 2001 Vicky successfully completed a PhD investigating the influence of habitat type and mammal predation on the spatial ecology of the Atlantic white-clawed crayfish. Through the use of innovative radio-tracking and GIS techniques she was able to establish crayfish home ranges and movement patterns that determined the habitat preferences for this species. Vicky's results can be used to benefit crayfish conservation.
Since joining BSG, Vicky has been involved in Phase 1 habitat surveys and protected species surveys for water vole, otter, badger, bats and crayfish. She currently holds a Natural England survey licence for white-clawed crayfish. She has also produced technical reports and ecology chapters for Environmental Statements.
Vicky is a founder member of Northumbria Mammal Group and is an active member of their committee.
Liz Rose-Jefferys
BSc
Liz joined Baker Shepherd Gillespie in December 2006. Since graduating in Environmental Biology and Physical Geography from the University of Wales Swansea in 2004 she has been involved in a range of conservation projects both through her voluntary work with the Biodiversity Officer at Swansea City Council and as Assistant Ecologist for Sheffield Wildlife Trust. At Sheffield Wildlife Trust Liz was involved in the Nature Reserves Project and the Coalfield Heathland Project.
She also assisted in numerous ecological surveys including Phase 1 habitat surveys, ecological monitoring programmes, grazing impact assessment and small mammal surveys. Liz has also created numerous maps on the GIS software MapInfo for a range of projects and management plans.
BSc
Liz joined Baker Shepherd Gillespie in December 2006. Since graduating in Environmental Biology and Physical Geography from the University of Wales Swansea in 2004 she has been involved in a range of conservation projects both through her voluntary work with the Biodiversity Officer at Swansea City Council and as Assistant Ecologist for Sheffield Wildlife Trust. At Sheffield Wildlife Trust Liz was involved in the Nature Reserves Project and the Coalfield Heathland Project.
She also assisted in numerous ecological surveys including Phase 1 habitat surveys, ecological monitoring programmes, grazing impact assessment and small mammal surveys. Liz has also created numerous maps on the GIS software MapInfo for a range of projects and management plans.
Laura Jennings
BSc AIEEM
Laura joined Baker Shepherd Gillespie in April 2008 as an Assistant Ecologist, being made a permanent member of staff in August 2008. Laura graduated from Cardiff University in 2007 where she read Ecology and Environmental Management, undertaking a year in industry with Birmingham City Council. While working for the Council Laura shadowed the Biodiversity Officer where she developed a wide range of survey skills including bird ringing, Phase 1 habitat survey and surveys for protected species such as bats and badgers.
After graduating Laura spent six months working for Countryside Council for Wales as an Assistant Reserve Manager where she undertook active habitat management, gaining an understanding of conservation at the site and landscape scales.
While working with BSG Laura has been involved in a number of projects, carrying out bat, dormouse, reptile, great crested newt and Phase 1 habitat surveys.
BSc AIEEM
Laura joined Baker Shepherd Gillespie in April 2008 as an Assistant Ecologist, being made a permanent member of staff in August 2008. Laura graduated from Cardiff University in 2007 where she read Ecology and Environmental Management, undertaking a year in industry with Birmingham City Council. While working for the Council Laura shadowed the Biodiversity Officer where she developed a wide range of survey skills including bird ringing, Phase 1 habitat survey and surveys for protected species such as bats and badgers.
After graduating Laura spent six months working for Countryside Council for Wales as an Assistant Reserve Manager where she undertook active habitat management, gaining an understanding of conservation at the site and landscape scales.
While working with BSG Laura has been involved in a number of projects, carrying out bat, dormouse, reptile, great crested newt and Phase 1 habitat surveys.
Kate Kennedy
BSc AIEEM
Kate joined Baker Shepherd Gillespie in January 2008 after graduating in Ecological Science at the University of Edinburgh. During her time at university Kate was part of a student led expedition to an isolated area of tropical forest in southern Borneo looking at spatial distribution, species richness and relative abundance of frog populations. She also undertook survey work of loggerhead turtles in Greece and during her final year was a part-time volunteer with the RSPB in their Conservation Policy department writing up a report on public bodies' awareness of the Nature Conservation Act (Scotland) 2004.
Since joining BSG Kate has been involved in preparing technical reports for a variety of projects and has undertaken Phase 1 surveys, river corridor assessments and protected species surveys of bats, badgers, otters and reptiles. Kate is currently studying part-time for an MSc in Biological Recording.
BSc AIEEM
Kate joined Baker Shepherd Gillespie in January 2008 after graduating in Ecological Science at the University of Edinburgh. During her time at university Kate was part of a student led expedition to an isolated area of tropical forest in southern Borneo looking at spatial distribution, species richness and relative abundance of frog populations. She also undertook survey work of loggerhead turtles in Greece and during her final year was a part-time volunteer with the RSPB in their Conservation Policy department writing up a report on public bodies' awareness of the Nature Conservation Act (Scotland) 2004.
Since joining BSG Kate has been involved in preparing technical reports for a variety of projects and has undertaken Phase 1 surveys, river corridor assessments and protected species surveys of bats, badgers, otters and reptiles. Kate is currently studying part-time for an MSc in Biological Recording.
Sam Mellor
BSc
Sam joined Baker Shepherd Gillespie in June 2007 after graduating in Environmental Science from the University of Nottingham. Initially on a work experience placement, she joined BSG on a full-time basis as an Assistant Ecologist in October 2007. Since joining Sam has undertaken research into green and brown roofs and their potential for biodiversity. She has also carried out research into habitat requirements and geographical distribution of invertebrate species listed under Section 41 of the NERC Act 2006. Sam has also been involved in a variety of ecological survey work including Phase 1 habitat surveys and bat surveys.
BSc
Sam joined Baker Shepherd Gillespie in June 2007 after graduating in Environmental Science from the University of Nottingham. Initially on a work experience placement, she joined BSG on a full-time basis as an Assistant Ecologist in October 2007. Since joining Sam has undertaken research into green and brown roofs and their potential for biodiversity. She has also carried out research into habitat requirements and geographical distribution of invertebrate species listed under Section 41 of the NERC Act 2006. Sam has also been involved in a variety of ecological survey work including Phase 1 habitat surveys and bat surveys.
