Working with people for nature
I am Dr Graham Tucker and, following 36 years of professional experience working in NGOs, consultancies and the Institute for European Environmental Policy, established Nature Conservation Consulting in 2021 to provide personal, independent advice and other assistance to those seeking to conserve nature in the UK and elsewhere in Europe
My background
After gaining an MSc and PhD in ecology, I started my professional career in 1986 at the British Trust for Ornithology carrying out field research on farmland bird ecology. After moving to the BirdLife International secretariat in 1990, I coordinated the first ever assessment of the conservation status of birds in Europe, followed by a series of strategies to conserve birds’ habitats in Europe. This was followed by a period of environmental consultancy (seven years as Technical Director of Ecoscope Applied Ecologists) and then three years as a freelance consultant.
In 2008, I joined the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), as the Head of the Biodiversity Programme, leading on a wide range of UK and EU policy issues. Key work areas included the Birds and Habitats Directives, EU Biodiversity Strategies, agriculture and bioenergy policies, policy options to achieve no-net-loss of biodiversity, and climate change adaptation and ecosystem restoration, including in relation to the current proposed Nature Restoration Law. In 2021 I established Nature Conservation Consulting and left IEEP, although I still have an Associate status and collaborate on some projects.
My last few years have been largely taken up writing and editing a book Nature Conservation in Europe: Approaches and Lessons. With the involvement of 52 other national experts the book provides a detailed description and critical analysis of nature conservation strategies actions in the UK and 25 other European countries. The book was published in May 2023, and can be obtained from Cambridge University Press via this link: Nature conservation europe approaches and lessons | Ecology and conservation | Cambridge University Press. Add the code ‘TUCKER23’ at the checkout to obtain a 20% discount.
I have also written or edited several books or book chapters, including co-editing Biodiversity Offsets: European Perspectives on No Net Loss of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services and contributed to chapters in The Economics of Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity in National and International Policy Making (TEEB).
What I am offering now for nature conservation
Policy analysis
E.g. in relation to nature conservation and restoration strategies and policies; agriculture, bioenergy and other landuses, and protected areas.
Ecological advice
E.g. in relation to nature restoration / rewilding, biodiversity net gain, climate change adaptation and local nature recovery strategies.
Environmental writing
E.g. literature reviews, investigative reports, briefing documents, blogs, website content and campaign materials.
Project management
E.g.
management of projects / components, advice and mentoring, independent reviews
and Quality Assurance.