Aoife O'Rourke
Project Lead @ Legacy4LIFE: 'Ponds for Biodiversity' at An Taisce- Claim this Profile
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German Limited working proficiency
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French Elementary proficiency
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Irish Elementary proficiency
Topline Score
Bio
Credentials
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Webinar: A Best Practice and Award-Winning Case Study of Stakeholder Participation
Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM)Jan, 2019- Nov, 2024 -
Bat Detector Workshop
Bat Conservation IrelandJul, 2018- Nov, 2024 -
PondNet Amphibian Training- identification and surveying
Freshwater Habitats TrustApr, 2016- Nov, 2024 -
Introduction to Project Management
The In House Training companyFeb, 2016- Nov, 2024 -
Wildflower Grassland Restoration and Creation
Flora LocaleNov, 2014- Nov, 2024 -
Enhancement and management of Grasslands
Flora localeJun, 2014- Nov, 2024 -
Personal Effectiveness
PTP - Practical Training for ProfessionalsJun, 2014- Nov, 2024 -
Safepass
SOLAS (An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna)Jan, 2018- Nov, 2024 -
Wilderness First Aid Level 1
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HSE First Aid at Work
Enhance Services Ltd.May, 2014- Nov, 2024
Experience
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An Taisce
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Ireland
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Environmental Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Project Lead @ Legacy4LIFE: 'Ponds for Biodiversity'
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Mar 2022 - Present
Enhancing the role that ponds can play as biodiversity refugia by supporting capacity development and expertise in pond creation, management and conservation. In addition, our objectives address the need for enhancing public awareness and mobilising community consciousness regarding the amenity value these small wetland habitats possess for biodiversity, water quality and climate adaptation. Enhancing the role that ponds can play as biodiversity refugia by supporting capacity development and expertise in pond creation, management and conservation. In addition, our objectives address the need for enhancing public awareness and mobilising community consciousness regarding the amenity value these small wetland habitats possess for biodiversity, water quality and climate adaptation.
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Scott Cawley Ltd
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Ireland
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Environmental Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Consultant Ecologist
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Jan 2018 - Jun 2021
Developing and facilitating LEADER biodiversity courses for community groups, Developing Biodiversity Action Plans for communities and businesses, Monitoring wildlife and environment enhancing options on farms partaking in the Green Low- Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS). Species and farmland habitats surveyed include: hen harrier, grey partridge, geese and swans, corncrake, twite, chough, breeding waders, wild bird cover, fallow land, arable grass margins, Natura grassland, Natura heathland, low-input permanent pasture, native tree groves, orchards, hedgerows, riparian margins, traditional dry stone wall maintenance, traditional hay meadows, bat boxes, bird boxes, solitary bee boxes, solitary bee sand, and protection of watercourses from bovines. Ecological impact assessment, manual analysis of bat calls using Kaleidoscope Pro, internal/external inspections of buildings for bat use suitability, Winter bird surveys, Breeding bird surveys Show less
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World exploration
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Nepal, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Fiji, USA, Canada and Cuba
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Conservation Ecologist (one year career break- world travel)
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Sep 2016 - Nov 2017
Taking a career break to explore the wonderful world we live in, and learn about new cultures and new approaches to conservation ecology. Volunteering on community led projects and WWOOFing along the way. Projects include: - Teaching Science and English to primary school children in a remote village in the Solukhumbu region of Nepal (November 2017). - Volunteering with NatureFiji, updating their website, and assisting with their newsletter (https://naturefiji.org)(April 2017). Volunteering with Fiji National Trust, developed their first vegetation monitoring protocol for Dry Woodland on Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park, and training the rangers how to implement the monitoring in the field. Created a records database for survey results storage. - Working (as a WWOOFer) on an organic farm in British Columbia, Canada. Responsibilities included animal husbandry (caring for 3 lambs, 4 mother hens with 15 chicks, and 52 chicks reared for meat), weeding fruit and vegetables, organic pest control, pruning, wood collection and stacking, masonry (helping to build a stone wall), canning and pickling vegetables and fruit, cooking and baking, construction (cement mixing and wiring foundations for for a large green- house plan) (June-August 2017) Show less
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Bumblebee Conservation Trust
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United Kingdom
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Non-profit Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Conservation Officer
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Jan 2014 - Sep 2016
The focus of this work was habitat management and restoration in the South West of England, to help improve the landscape for bumblebees and biodiversity in general. Working closely with farmers, land owners, other NGOs, statutory bodies and local communities. Inspiring conservation action by leading bumblebee identification workshops, farm day events, talks and bee walks. Main responsibilities included: - Managing volunteers - Developing new projects - Project management - Budgeting - Leading ID training workshops Show less
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Brooks Development Practice Ltd
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United Kingdom
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Environmental Services
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Assistant/Field Ecologist
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Apr 2015 - Jun 2015
One day a week work for Brooks Development Practice Ltd. Responsibilities included: ecological surveying and data collection, survey support and logistic planning, and supporting the Ecology and Environmental Planning team on a variety of projects and report writing. One day a week work for Brooks Development Practice Ltd. Responsibilities included: ecological surveying and data collection, survey support and logistic planning, and supporting the Ecology and Environmental Planning team on a variety of projects and report writing.
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Trinity College Dublin
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Ireland
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Researcher
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Oct 2010 - Jan 2014
My Research Masters focused on the plant-insect ecology of fixed dune ecosystems. There were three main aspects to my research: (1.) Quantifying the use of Salix repens as a resource for wild Spring bees in fixed dune ecosystems (2.) Assessing the effect of microhabitat availability, surrounding landscape heterogeneity, and size of protected site (cSAC/pNHA) on pollinator diversity/abundance and assemblage structure (3.) Investigating potential indicators of habitat quality for pollinating insects I have a special interest in communicating my research to the public and endeavour to make sure that my research results have practical implications, that are simple to apply. Show less
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Kippure
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Ireland
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Events Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Ecology/Geography field course instructor
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Sep 2013 - Nov 2013
Field course instructor for Ireland's top provider of Leaving Cert Geography and ecology school trips. Responsibilities included teaching students studying the Leaving Cert geography syllabus to measure river velocity, and cross sectional area of a river, calculate discharge, effectively measure and sketch valley/river gradient, and analyse bed load. Additionally, as part of the Leaving Cert Biology syllabus I taught students how to carry out the scientific study of an ecosystem. This included teaching them the following skills: different surveying techniques used to carry out a vegetation, invertebrate & vertebrate field study, how to investigate the different biotic and abiotic factors affecting the ecosystem, how to map the study area, how to identify and create food webs, and how to investigate edaphic factors. Show less
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EPICS - The European Programme in Civil Society Leadership
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Ireland
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Civic and Social Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Intern Biodiversity Research Officer
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Sep 2011 - Aug 2012
"The Centre for Biodiversity Research represents a core of skilled academic researchers in the field and aims to promote innovative and interdisciplinary research encompassing all aspects affecting the natural world. The Centre is the first of its kind in Ireland and is a flagship initiative for the School of Natural Sciences and for Trinity College and has strong links with other centres working on related topics" - Jane Stout (Chairperson) Duties included: Day to day administration, advertising events, Banner design, quarterly newsletter collation; editing and writing, events management, hosting external guest speakers, assisting the steering commitee, narration for the Biodiversity Audio Tour of Dublin: http://www.tcd.ie/tcbr/biodiversity-audiotour/. The Dublin Biodiversity Audio Tour was featured on RTE's 6.1 news: http://www.rte.ie/news/player/2012/1210/3450385-biodiversity-podcast-tour-of-dublin-is-launched/#page=2 Show less
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Trinity College Dublin
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Ireland
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Field Research Assistant
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May 2010 - Aug 2010
Mapping turlough (seasonally flooded karst lakes) vegetation communities. Identifying and mapping turlough vegetation communities in a number of priority turloughs as part of the turlough conservation project funded by the Irish National Parks and Wildlife Service.Assisting the monitoring and mapping of all known populations of Saxifraga hirculus in mineral flushes in Ireland.
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Lab Research Assistant
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Oct 2009 - May 2010
Identification of pollinating insects:Identification to species level, sorting and pinning specimens as part of the SIMBIOSYS (Sectoral Impacts on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) project, collecting live insects from trap nests, and co-writing a protocol on how to best identify pollinators from pan traps
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The Science Gallery Network
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Ireland
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Higher Education
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1 - 100 Employee
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Exhibition Mediator
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Feb 2010 - Feb 2010
Explaining and demonstrating exhibits to the Public, involving the public in scientific and artistic exhibitions, assistance in events management, setting up of workshops, and data entry. Explaining and demonstrating exhibits to the Public, involving the public in scientific and artistic exhibitions, assistance in events management, setting up of workshops, and data entry.
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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ireland
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Ireland
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Environmental Services
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200 - 300 Employee
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EPA paid student placement
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Jun 2008 - Aug 2008
Sorting of littoral and profundal macroinvertebrates as part of the Water Framework Directive, and data entry Sorting of littoral and profundal macroinvertebrates as part of the Water Framework Directive, and data entry
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Marine Institute
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Ireland
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Research Services
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200 - 300 Employee
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Fish Stock Assessment bursar
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Jun 2007 - Sep 2007
Assessing the movement of Salmon, trout and eels. Environmental monitoring, data entry, macroinvertebrate, river quality assessment, and general maintenance Assessing the movement of Salmon, trout and eels. Environmental monitoring, data entry, macroinvertebrate, river quality assessment, and general maintenance
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Education
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2010 - 2013
Trinity College, Dublin
MSc (Research) Ecology (Botany Dept.), Plant-pollinator ecology on fixed dunes -
2008 - 2009
Trinity College, Dublin
MSc in Biodiversity and Conservation, Conservation ecology -
2003 - 2008
University College Dublin
Bachelor of Science (BSc) (honours), Environmental Biology
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