Joe was welcomed to ECOSA as an Assistant Ecologist in August 2021, before being promoted to an Ecologist in January 2024. Having grown up on a small farm surrounded by nature and wildlife, Joe gained many skills in practical conservation through working with his dad, who is a rural contractor. He learned about ecology through volunteering with local wildlife groups, and ultimately went on to graduate from the Royal Agricultural University in Gloucestershire with a BSc (Hons) in Wildlife and Countryside Management. As part of his degree he gained various NPTC/Lantra certified vocational qualifications and licenses in practical conservation, such as chainsaw operation and tree felling, brushcutter operation, knapsack sprayer operation, drystone walling and ATV operation.
Before joining ECOSA, Joe worked for Atkins in their Bristol office, where he was mainly involved in large-scale infrastructure projects in Gloucestershire and South Wales which required protected species surveys. Joe also worked for The Environmental Dimension Partnership Ltd. (EDP) as a Seasonal Ecologist based out of their Cirencester office; here he got involved in a wide range of protected species surveys, including his first great crested newt survey which sparked a personal passion for them.
Since joining ECOSA, Joe has particularly enjoyed his involvement in dormouse surveys where he's had the opportunity to handle them and learn the proper techniques from a licenced ecologist. He holds a Level 1 great crested newt licence.
Outside of work, Joe enjoys playing and watching rugby, as well as travelling back home to his family farm in Somerset to help out with the animals (and drive tractors of course!)
