meet the Team

Dr emma hart

FOUNDER

Emma is a conservation ecologist with extensive international experience in the design and management of science-based conservation initiatives. Alarmed by the rate of decline of Ireland’s biodiversity, she founded habitats.ie, a consultancy service in biodiversity conservation, education and research, in 2021. Emma also runs Oysterhaven Biodiversity Reserve and Habitats Hub, a 50-acre biodiversity reserve and research centre, where, in partnership with state bodies, NGOs and third level institutes, she tests and develops methods in nature restoration and regenerative agriculture on Irish farmland. She has a PhD in conservation ecology and an MSc in psychology and draws from both fields in her conservation work. Emma is a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) specialist group and the Executive Committee for Farming for Nature. She is also a passionate adventurer, having spent six years leading wildlife conservation and research expeditions in sub-Saharan Africa, often on horseback!

email emma at: emma@habitats.ie

client testimonials

  • "We commissioned Emma to carry out research on international best practice in rewilding in summer 2022. Emma brought a depth of knowledge and expertise in biodiversity conservation to the project as well as a high level of professionalism and attention to detail. Emma was great to work with, delivering the project on schedule and to a very high standard and I wouldn't hesitate to use Emma's services again for high quality academic research"

    William Fitzmaurice, UCD Earth Institute

  • "Emma has an excellent ability to translate hard science into clear, easy-to-digest information that aims to encourage action. She is currently involved in developing a training programme for our farming ambassadors and a comprehensive manual on enhancing biodiversity on farmland. Emma has a wide range of knowledge and interests within conservation farming. She is very personable, and has a natural ability to deal with all professions within this sector, from farmers to academics. Emma is highly professional with a calm manner that gets the work delivered on time. Above all, she is passionate about what she does and it shows. Farming For Nature has been lucky to work with Emma to further our initiative"

    Brigid Barry, Farming for Nature

  • "Emma was fantastic to work with. She really listened and was very thorough in finding out what sort of research we wanted and was really good at helping us figure out what sort of research we actually needed for our project. She responds very promptly and was available to talk and update us at any time throughout the course of the project. All her work was on time and excellently finished. Her own passion for the environment really shone through her work and her enthusiasm for the project gave us great confidence moving forwards"

    Saoirse McHugh, Wild Parks

dr amy haigh

ASSOCIATE CONSULTANT

Amy is an associate consultant with over 15 years’ experience of biodiversity research and conservation. She is a skilled scientist, writer, and science communicator, with extensive experience of writing for scientific and popular press and of designing and delivering talks and workshops to a wide variety of audiences. She has held postdoctoral positions between University College Cork (UCC) and Fota Wildlife Park and at Teagasc, Moorepark where she has worked alongside farmers, researchers, and policy makers on environmental and sustainability briefs. In her most recent position as technical officer at UCD, Amy contributed to the UCD Green Campus sustainability initiative. She has also served on the Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Interculturalism (EDI) Committee at UCD and the committee for the 8th International Conference on the Assessment of Animal Welfare at group level (WAFL). Amy has a PhD in Mammal Behaviour and Ecology and has published extensively in this field.

lucy bowler

EDUCATION OFFICER

Lucy is a skilled conservationist and science communicator and is dedicated to showing others how we can help to both protect and enjoy nature in our day-to-day lives. Lucy has international experience and qualifications in sustainable farming practices and environmental education, with expertise in issues relating to global food security and sustainable business development. In previous roles, Lucy worked as the Origin Green Programme Coordinator for Bord Bia, where she assisted businesses to develop sustainability plans and meet ESG targets. Lucy also has experience in the social enterprise and not-for-profit sectors, where she has worked extensively with farmers throughout Ireland to better understand how nature-friendly farming practices can work in an Irish context. As well as being a skilled educator and horticulturalist, Lucy is a talented horsewoman, previously competing in eventing to international level.