Rachel L. Hufton
Wānaka,New Zealand
Summary
Accomplished Ecologist and Ornithologist with a proven track record at Aspiring Biodiversity Trust, spearheading the Makarora Catchment Threatened Species Programmes. Expert in threatened species surveys and adept at fostering collaborative partnerships, successfully managed projects from inception to completion, significantly contributing to biodiversity conservation. A professional bird/nature guide. Skilled in delivering biodiversity education opportunities and crafting narratives that enhance brand visibility and foster public engagement. My work has advanced ecological understanding and habitat protection, preventing local extinction of endemic species and connecting people with nature.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Ecologist, Ornithologist, Science Communicator Freelance
Aspiring Biodiversity Trust
01.2017 - Current
- Company Overview: https://aspiringbiodiversity.co.nz/
- Lead Ecologist/Ornithologist Project Manager, responsible for implementation and delivery of Makarora Catchment Threatened Species Programmes From Ridge To River (ornithology & bat research, threat management/invasive predator control, science communication/education, partnership development, funding applications/resource management)
- Ecological projects for a range of clients and a professional bird guide for international guiding companies (i.e
- Bird behaviour in relation to new technology for protection of fruit crops, ecological advice in relation to development and biodiversity education/CPD design)
- Involvement with international ornithology monitoring/research projects & education i.e
- Fiji and China Operation Wallacea Expeditions
- Rock wren, whio/blue duck and braided river bird research in NZ
- Https://aspiringbiodiversity.co.nz/
Black Petrel Monitoring
Wildlife Management International
12.2016 - Current
- Nest site monitoring, transect surveys, nocturnal acoustic survey, processing birds, banding adults, seabird advocacy and awareness raising
Project Makarora Ecologist
Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, NZ
04.2016 - 09.2016
- Core member of Project Makarora planning team leading on focal conservation targets (utilising Miradi the platform for Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation) i.e
- Braided river concept planning, sourcing funding, establishing affective partnerships, project coordination and facilitation
- Continued involvement to date with Aspiring Biodiversity Trust
County Ecologist, Strategic Planning and Environmental Policy
Worcestershire County Council (WCC)
01.2009 - 04.2016
- Company Overview: UK
- Role as local government ecologist ensuring that biodiversity is considered according to statutory obligations, legal compliance and recognised best practice within all of WCC functions promoting sustainable development and biodiversity gain
- This includes (but by no means exhaustive) the provision of ecological advice, guidance, survey, reporting, protected species licensing, development control, resource consent (i.e
- Ordinary water course) and project support for a range of sites throughout the county of Worcestershire
- Projects range from small scale to large infrastructure schemes and development
- Examples include; collaborative project working with multi-disciplinary design team on Statutory Planning Application and Environmental Statement delivery for Worcestershire Parkway Station
- Active involvement with Worcestershire Biodiversity Partnership
- UK
Shorebird Guide
Pukorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre
10.2016 - 03.2016
- Company Overview: New Zealand
- Delivery of specialised shorebird guiding and education for tourists, schools, local community, partners
- Habitat management advice, trap-line maintenance
- Identification, management, reporting and monitoring of avian botulism outbreak in collaboration with DOC, Fish and Game
- Production of revised Health and Safety procedure
- New Zealand
Freelance Ecological Consultant outside Worcestershire
Freelance Ecological Consultant
01.2009 - 12.2015
- Including habitat and protected species surveys including; birds, bats, herptiles, hazel dormouse
Marine Inventory Survey Diver
Global Vision International (GVI)
, Fiji
07.2015 - 08.2015
- Coral reef condition, fish, invertebrate marine surveys and educational provision on marine ecology in local Fijian schools
Ecological Consultant
Betts Ecology
, UK
01.2006 - 12.2009
- Company Overview: Worcester
- Lead ecologist managing various contracts, on a range of sites/schemes throughout England and Wales
- Providing advice, survey and reporting on ecological issues including habitats and protected species according to wildlife legislation and best practice
- Proficient in production of reports and EPS licence applications, mitigation strategies and compensation works
- Competent in general botany and the use of identification keys
- Experienced in habitat management for protected species i.e
- Bats, reptiles
- Worcester
Field Project Officer
The Conservation Volunteers (UK)
Nottinghamshire, UK
12.2003 - 12.2005
- Management, supervision, mentoring and training of volunteer officer's (VO's) and team of volunteers
- Organisation, implementation, and management of a continuous programme of practical conservation projects, enhancing, promoting and restoring range of habitats throughout Nottinghamshire
- Management and organisation of Natural Break Conservation Holidays and delivery of a suite of training courses in habitat management and species identification
- Working directly with landowners, partners and clients on conservation issues i.e
- Invasive species control and habitat management
Volunteer Ranger
Bestwood Country Park
Nottinghamshire, UK
07.2003 - 12.2004
- Participating in all ranger activities from habitat management to public educational events
Volunteer Officer
TCV (UK)
Nottinghamshire, UK
07.2003 - 12.2003
- Company Overview: Nottinghamshire
- Practical conservation task leader responsible for activities, supervising and motivating volunteers
- Nottinghamshire
Ornithologist
Operation Wallacea
, China
06.2015
- Delivery of residential wetland bird survey and mist netting training for international school students
- Two sites located; Qinghai Lake, Tibetan Plateau and Wanglang National Nature Reserve, Sichuan
Bird Banding Expedition
Grupo Ornitologico del Estrecho
04.2015
Expedition Field Worker - Alpine Marmot Project
Earthwatch Institute
, French Alps
05.2013
- Surveying, monitoring and capturing Alpine Marmots for, processing, tagging and data logging
- Data used to inform long term research into marmot distribution and abundance to assess effects on litter size in response to climate change within an Alpine ecosystem
Education
Certificate of Technical Studies - Comprehensive Bird Biology
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
03-2017
PG Diploma - Biological Recording
Birmingham University
10.2008
Bachelor of Science - Ecology
Lancaster University
07-2003
A-Levels - Art, Biology, Environmental Science, Geopgraphy
New College Nottingham
06-2000
Skills
- Ornithological survey; Breeding, Wintering, Alpine transect, Point counts, Braided rivers, Nest monitoring, Schedule 1 bird survey, Acoustic triangulation
- Bird Banding NZNBBS Level 3 with Mist netting
- Bird Behavioral studies
- Professional bird/nature guiding, Science communication
- Residential field course design and delivery
- Bat survey: Bat roost detection, Dusk/dawn activity, Hibernation, Endoscope assessments
- Badger survey
- Water vole survey
- Dormouse survey
- Otter survey
- Herptile survey: Great crested newt, Slow worm, lizard
- Protected species Mitigation and Translocation Strategy
- Environmental DNA (eDNA)
- Freshwater monitoring techniques
- Habitat surveys (Baseline, Extended Phase 1 and Phase 2)
- Assessment for protected species
- Invasive species management/ Control
- Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA)
- Written communication skills/ report writing
- GIS mapping software
- UK wildlife legislation
- EU wildlife legislation
- NZ wildlife legislation
- Planning policy
- Protected species licensing (EPS)
- Project management
- Funding applications, Budget management and reporting
- Resource allocation
- Sponsorship sourcing
- Practical conservation
- Reserve management
- Management plans
- Team working/management
- Collaborative partnerships
- Mentoring, CPD training
- Ecological advice, Direction and guidance
- H & S site assessment & Risk assessments
- Social media content creation/ maintenance
Affiliations
- Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (MCIEEM)
- Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (MEIANZ)
- Association of Local Government Ecologists (ALGE)
- BTO bird ringing scheme
- NZNBBS
- Australian Wader Study Group
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology & Ebird Platform
Certification
- Conservation Translocation Training, IUCN Species Survival Commission 11/2023
- ABT Helicopter Ground Crew Training, Wānaka Helicopters 10/2023
- Advanced Social Media, QT Business Chamber of Commerce 08/2023
- Bird Survey Techniques for Professionals, British Trust for Ornithology 01/2014
- Comprehensive First Aid and Outdoor First Aid, Workplace First Aid 09/2024
- Communicating the Value of Biodiversity, United Nations Development Programme 05/2020
- PADI Advanced Open Water 08/2015
- Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation, Secretariat ot the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) 03/2016
- Managing Safely (4 day), Institute of Occupational Health & Safety (IOSH) 07/2013
Publication
Hufton & Robertson (2023). A significant remnant population of whio (blue duck, Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos) bridging the gap between Fiordland and West Coast Recovery Sites, South Island, New Zealand. Notornis, 2023, Vol. 70: 190-195.
Recreation Interests
- Horse trek guide
- Diving
- Skiing
- Hiking
- Yoga
- Promoting biodiversity awareness through various mediums
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Ecologist, Ornithologist, Science Communicator Freelance
Aspiring Biodiversity Trust
01.2017 - Current
Black Petrel Monitoring
Wildlife Management International
12.2016 - Current
Shorebird Guide
Pukorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre
10.2016 - 03.2016
Project Makarora Ecologist
Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, NZ
04.2016 - 09.2016
Marine Inventory Survey Diver
Global Vision International (GVI)
07.2015 - 08.2015
Ornithologist
Operation Wallacea
06.2015
Bird Banding Expedition
Grupo Ornitologico del Estrecho
04.2015
Expedition Field Worker - Alpine Marmot Project
Earthwatch Institute
05.2013
County Ecologist, Strategic Planning and Environmental Policy
Worcestershire County Council (WCC)
01.2009 - 04.2016
Freelance Ecological Consultant outside Worcestershire
Freelance Ecological Consultant
01.2009 - 12.2015
Ecological Consultant
Betts Ecology
01.2006 - 12.2009
Field Project Officer
The Conservation Volunteers (UK)
12.2003 - 12.2005
Volunteer Ranger
Bestwood Country Park
07.2003 - 12.2004
Volunteer Officer
TCV (UK)
07.2003 - 12.2003
Certificate of Technical Studies - Comprehensive Bird Biology
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
PG Diploma - Biological Recording
Birmingham University
Bachelor of Science - Ecology
Lancaster University
A-Levels - Art, Biology, Environmental Science, Geopgraphy
New College Nottingham
Similar Profiles
Jayden CrosbyJayden Crosby
Small Business Owner at Aspiring EntrepreneursSmall Business Owner at Aspiring Entrepreneurs
SAMUEL MWANGISAMUEL MWANGI
Support Worker at Aspiring Futures SaSupport Worker at Aspiring Futures Sa
Matilde AcetoMatilde Aceto
Volunteer at FAI, as an aspiring CiceroVolunteer at FAI, as an aspiring Cicero
Brynee WilsonBrynee Wilson
Stewardess at Heritage ExpeditionsStewardess at Heritage Expeditions
Brooke WilkinsonBrooke Wilkinson
Craft Assistant at Craft Services - 'Tears Of Rain'Craft Assistant at Craft Services - 'Tears Of Rain'