Laura Taylor - Principle Ecologist
Laura studied ecology at Aberdeen University and has since worked on partnership projects including the Aberdeenshire & Cairngorms water vole conservation projects with Cairngorms National Park Authority, Scottish Natural Heritage and Aberdeen University, and on the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust's Angus Glens Moorland Health Project. Laura has a wealth of experience running multiple large scale upland projects and is well-informed on all aspects of grouse moor management, deer management and peatland restoration. Laura regularly conducts a range of ecological surveys and is very experienced in surveying protected species, including water vole, badgers, capercaillie and black grouse. Laura has 18 years of experience working with gamekeepers, land managers and project stakeholders and is well-versed on planning surveys to fit around on-going land management and sporting activities.
Laura Duggan - Ecologist
Laura is an experienced ecologist with an MSc in Wildlife Biology and Conservation. She leads field teams on a variety of large-scale surveys on remote sites across Scotland. These most often involve ornithology, leptidoptera, mammal, amphibian and reptile surveys, however Laura also surveys protected species including badger, otter, water vole, pine martin, red squirrel, wildcat and bats and has ECoW experience. In particular, Laura wrote her thesis on finding the optimal orientation or camera traps when surveying potential otter resting sites. In addition, Laura carries out the full range of surveys required for peatland restoration feasibility studies and produces relevent reports and management plans. This includes baseline hydrological surveys, herbivore grazing impact assessments, peat depth, peatland condition and assessment of peatland features and instabilities. Laura also acts as ECoW on sites undergoing restoration.
Warren Beets - Data Management
Warren has over ten years of experience working with wildlife, habitats and protected areas in Southern Africa. Here, he operated as a consultant to game reserves and provided wildlife and habitat surveys, management plans and skills development services. He also provided botanical expertise to Ecological Impact Assessments in South Africa, Angola and Mozambique.
After developing a keen interest in working with ecological data, Warren chose to complete a numerically-focused MSc in Conservation and Ecology at the University of Aberdeen.
Warren is now enthusiastically applying his experience to Taylor Wildlife projects in Scotland. When he is not in the field, he enjoys playing a supportive role in the team by helping to improve efficiencies in data management, analysis and visualization.
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Natasha George - Ecologist
Natasha recently graduated with a BSC (Cons) in Wildlife and Conservation Management. She started with Taylor Wildlife in 2020 and has since been gaining experience in a variety of upland surveys including bird and butterfly surveys, herbivore impact assessments, and peatland restoration feasibility surveys.
Natasha also has a strong background in upland sports and assists with Taylor Wildlife's grouse management services, including grouse counts, tick monitoring, worm counts and looping-ill testing.
Emily Alsford - Peatland Officer
Emily has over seven years’ experience of working as a countryside ranger in Scotland, and a background as a zoo animal professional. She has a BSc in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, and various other qualifications related to habitat management, environmental conservation and wildlife. She has worked for organisations such as the RSPB, Forestry and Land Scotland, EDF Renewables, RZSS, Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, and private Scottish estates. She has experience of undertaking a wide array of wildlife surveys, assisting with habitat restoration projects, and the protection of habitats through public and community engagement. Although a generalist, she has developed a particular interest in birds, plants, and fungi.
Emily’s varied background, extensive experience of engaging with the public, land managers, stakeholders, and partners, has led to a strong skill in communications and liaison. Emily is a dynamic and adaptable member of the team and is excited to work on new peatland restoration projects.
Sara-Jane Vanstone - Field Assistant
Sara-Jane has studied Countryside Management at Bicton College and has a BA in Journalism from Marjon University where she focused on communicating environmental topics through multimedia.
Over 5 years of voluntary work with UK wildlife charities created a foundation of experience that she uses when conducting field surveys with Taylor Wildlife. Sara-Jane also shares her knowledge of nature and rural life in Scotland at Wild Alba Tours as a wildlife tour guide.