Falklands Conservation is run by a team of dedicated people including our Trustees, staff, members and volunteers. They are all vitally important in enabling us to undertake our conservation role protecting the wildlife of the Falkland Islands.

Trustees

The Board of Trustees is elected from amongst our members. They are based both in the UK and in the Falkland Islands. There is a UK and a Falkland Islands Committee, which deal with operational matters in each country. The current Trustees are:

Falkland Islands:
Keith Biles (FI Treasurer)
Sally Blake
Paul Brickle (FI Vice Chairman)
Jan Cheek
Darren Christie (FI Chairman)
Mike Evans
Alan Henry
Michael Morrison
Roger Spink
Louise Taylor

UK:
Mike Bowles
Tim Carr
John Croxall
Bill Featherstone (Treasurer)
Henry Robinson (Chairman)
Mandy Shepherd (Vice Chairman)
Mike Richardson

Paul Brickle and Henry Robinson

Staff

We have one member of staff based in the UK, with all others (which varies depending on current projects) based in Stanley, Falkland Islands. For information on each post and post holder look at the staff profiles. To contact any member of staff: info@conservation.org.fk

Craig Dockrill
Chief Executive Officer
Stanley

Responsible for the ongoing management of our staff and volunteer team, I assure that our annual work programmes is consistent with our strategic plan, and ensure sound finances and effective liaison with a range of organisations and individuals at a local, regional and international level. I oversee operational activities in the Falkland Islands and work with our Conservation Officer to develop conservation and research activities, including promotion of our Important Bird Areas, conservation work on land and at-sea, biodiversity surveys and progressing designation of protected areas. As FC’s representative on the Environment Committee, I take the lead in providing advice regarding environmental issues to the Falkland Islands Government. I take the lead in responding to activities which potentially threaten our flora and fauna and strive to increase support for the organisation within the Islands, and funding for our activities wherever possible.

I grew up in western Canada, and studied at the University of Alberta, completing a BSc with distinction in Environmental Science and an MSc in Rangeland and Wildlife Resource Management. It was in this second degree that I came to appreciate the need for applied “practical” science. Early in my career, I was fortunate to work closely with ranchers to conserve endangered species in the prairies of southern Alberta, and to mitigate conflicts between timber and livestock producers in the boreal forest, providing advice to public land managers and policy makers within the provincial government. Working with landowners and managers at a very grassroots level provided me with an entirely different perspective on conservation challenges, and motivated me to better understand the interface between people and nature.

I have spent the past three years working in the western arctic region of Canada as a Habitat Biologist for the Canadian Wildlife Service. My work here included monitoring migratory bird populations, acting as a regulatory authority for Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, and working with aboriginal communities to establish new protected areas.

Prior to taking up residence in the arctic, I served as a Programme Manager for the Wildlife Society of Malawi, where I became familiar with the workings of non-governmental organizations, and the critical role such organizations can play in wildlife conservation. Appointed to my current post in April 2009, I now look forward to applying my skills in rangeland ecology, familiarity with industry and agriculture, and passion for wildlife to better integrating conservation priorities for flora and fauna of the Falkland Islands with rural livelihoods for the benefit of people and the environment.

Sarah Brennan
UK Executive Officer
Based in UK

I work in the UK to raise funds for conservation work in the Islands, which includes running the Penguin Adoption scheme. I look after and recruit our UK and global membership, produce publications and edit our biannual magazine Wildlife Conservation in the Falkland Islands. I also support the Board of Trustees and work closely with our team in Stanley. I represent Falklands Conservation at UK meetings and to UK organisations and Government.

I joined Falklands Conservation in June 2010. Much of my career has been spent in conservation - most recently as the Editor of the quarterly magazine Birds at The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and previously as the head of the RSPB's Creative Service's publishing team for seven years.

While at the RSPB, I was fortunate enough to spend some time with Falklands Conservation in the Islands - working in the Stanley office and also helping with the annual Seabird Monitoring Programme - a great way to find out more about the organisation's work!

Prior to that I was at the Devon Trust for Nature Conservation working on local projects, supporting the membership and managing the office. This was more years ago than I care to remember, but the experience inspired a lifelong interest in wildlife conservation.

Alistair Baylis
Conservation Officer
Stanley

I took up my post with Falklands Conservation at the beginning of October 2009. As Conservation Officer I am responsible for implementing our land based conservation and research programmes, including biodiversity monitoring. I manage a range of projects and surveys including seabirds, invertebrates, and plants, maintaining and developing our wildlife databases and records, and the organisation of field work staff and volunteers.

I have been involved in a range of seabird and marine mammal conservation projects including research on fur seals on the sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island, penguins in Australia and sea lions and seabirds in Alaska. Most recently he has been involved with the Bering Sea Integrated Ecosystem Research Program, lending his expertise to help deploy satellite tags on Northern fur seals on the Pribilof Islands, Alaska - home to the worlds largest population of fur seals that have declined by 50% over the past 30 years. I completed my PhD in Australia on the foraging behaviour and diet of New Zealand fur seals, and previously served as a fishery observer on the Falkland Islands.

The Falklands are a wildlife paradise of global significance. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to return to the Falklands and to be involved in the conservation management of the islands.

Sarah Crofts
Community Science Officer
Stanley

A key part of my job is to develop links with the Falkland Islands’ community, particularly through conservation outreach programmes, which include events such as our annual beach clean, Cetacean Watch, and the recent wildlife photographic competition. I work closely with landowners and farmers, respond to enquiries and requests from the public, and promote Falklands Conservation in the Islands through displays and information including production of our Newsletter throughout the year. I spend periods in the field conducting a variety of wildlife surveys, with seabirds remaining my interest and currently focusing on Rockhopper Penguins.

I studied Zoology at King’s College London, and after working in New Zealand and Canada, I moved to the Falklands in 2004. I began working for Falklands Conservation in 2006 as a seabird observer and this began in grand style sailing across the Patagonian Shelf on a 30 ft yacht to quantify seabird mortalities within fisheries. For the next few years I sailed the South Atlantic Ocean aboard commercial fishing trawlers to monitor seabirds in the Falkland Islands’ waters. After heading to Antarctica in 2007 -2008 as an expedition guide and lecturer in seabirds, I decided to rest my sea boots and focus on firma terra.

Farrah Peck
Office Administrator
Stanley

I am the first point of contact in the Stanley office. My work involves administration and bookkeeping duties to support the conservation and field operations and keep them running smoothly. I also manage our shop, foster good working relationships with other local agencies, particularly those involved with tourism and the environment, organise the FI membership, produce the Newsletter, and maintain our volunteer database.

I was born in the Falkland Islands and brought up at Shallow Bay Farm on West Falkland. I completed my education here in the Islands then went on to further education at Peter Symonds College in Winchester, UK. For the last 5 years I have been working between my home farm and office jobs in Stanley.

Last winter was a highlight for me, travelling in Australia for 4 months. It was an amazing experience, a real eye-opener. Returning to the Islands, I took over as Administrator from Carol Peck in June 2010. I am enjoying the challenges of learning the finer points of the job, and look forward to the busier summer months.

Rebecca Upson
Plant and Habitat Conservation Officer
Stanley

I am a plant scientist responsible for managing and implementing Falklands Conservation plants programmes, which aim to improve the status and appreciation of native plants in the Islands. I am developing a long-term strategy for the rare, threatened and native flora of the Falklands, which includes producing and implementing species and habitat action plans. I undertake a great deal of survey work, which is currently largely focused on identifying Important Plant Areas as well as updating the Plant Atlas. I also manage the national Falklands Herbarium, run educational projects such as a yearly plant ID course and organise volunteer work.

I joined FC in 2007 after completing the Kew International Diploma in Plant Conservation Strategies. Having studied Plant Sciences at Cambridge University (1998-2001), I developed a keen interest in how plants cope in stressful environments. This led on to a PhD at the University of Sheffield (2002-2006), which investigated the role of root fungal endophytes in vascular plants and liverworts in sub- and maritime Antarctic terrestrial environments (e.g. Upson, Read & Newsham, 2007). After my PhD I worked as a research assistant for a range of conservation genetics projects at the Sheffield Molecular Genetics Facility, University of Sheffield (2006-2007).

Overall my broad research interests lie within the fields of polar / alpine plant ecology and plant conservation genetics. Having spent some time in the Falklands on my travels south I was keen to come back and help make a difference to the unique flora of these beautiful islands. The Plants Project is particularly attractive with its clear aim of identifying Important Plant Areas and working in partnership with the farming community in order to forge a truly sustainable plant conservation strategy for the Islands.

Karen Neely
Shallow Marine Surveys Group Project Officer
Stanley

I am a benthic ecologist researching the fauna of the inshore Falklands environment, working in partnership with the Shallow Marine Surveys Group.

I have worked as a biologist and marine science educator in marine ecosystems around the world, from oysters on the North American eastern seaboard to dolphins in Hawaii, coral reefs in the shallow seas of Australia to deep-sea hydrothermal vents off the Pacific coast of Mexico. I received a B.A. with honors in Environmental Biology from the University of Colorado and a Ph.D. from Duke University for my work on coral reef fish-habitat interactions. Other recent projects include using geographic information systems (GIS) to look at ocean basin-wide shifts in fish communities following changes in the substrate, determining the oceanographic factors driving tropical fish recruitment to temperate climates, and improving recreational fishing catches on artificial reefs by establishing prey refuges.

With colleagues in the Shallow Marine Surveys Group, I use SCUBA to discover and document the species, habitats, and ecological interactions within the waters throughout the Falklands. The group also researches the life history of potential inshore commercial species, collaborates with other scientists worldwide in order to better understand our flora and fauna, and works within the local community to improve knowledge of the marine environment.

Sam Cockwell
Raptor-Livestock Interactions Project Officer
Stanley

I joined the staff at Falklands Conservation in July 2010. My responsibilities include testing methods for capture, tagging and monitoring of the birds of prey species, to build up a scientific understanding of their movements and behaviour. This research works alongside a study into landowner’s views and experiences to ascertain the extent of the conflict with raptors. I believe that this holistic approach to conservation with a strong community involvement is vital for securing the future of Falkland Islands wildlife.

Growing up at Fox Bay on West Falkland led me to develop a keen interest in nature and the environment. I have been a vagrant visitor to the Islands from 2002 when I travelled to the UK to study until my graduation in 2008 from the University of Manchester with a BSc with honours in Environmental Science. I have worked for Falklands Conservation previously as a wildlife warden and on the penguin census. During my gap year I spent three months surveying coral reefs in Fiji.

Ali Liddle
Education Officer
Stanley (part time)

I am in charge of running Falkland Conservation’s WATCH Group, the junior wildlife group in the Islands. I plan and organise meetings and trips for up to 50 children throughout the year. I provide environmental advice and teaching materials to the Infant/Junior and Community Schools.

I grew up in the North East of England and studied Primary Education at Leeds Metropolitan University. In 1996 I arrived in the Falkland Islands to work as a Travelling Teacher, living and working with families out in ‘camp’, teaching the children for 2 weeks at a time before travelling to the next farm location. During this time I developed a deep interest for the wildlife in the Falklands. In 1997 I travelled to the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia where my husband was the civilian and I ran the post office. Returning to the Falklands in 1998 I taught at the Infant and Junior school in Stanley for the next six years. In 1999 I began helping with the WATCH Group as a volunteer.

In 2004 I joined the staff of Falklands Conservation to undertake a 2 year environmental education project. This was an ideal opportunity to use my teaching skills and wildlife knowledge to develop environmental elements within the school curriculum in the Falkland Islands and on Ascension Island.

At the end of this project I returned to teaching at the Infant Junior School on a part time basis but continue to produce educational materials for Falklands Conservation.