Partnership — Team
This is a large partnership involving many people within institutions in the UK and the Caribbean.
Field team in Montserrat
PROJECT STAFF
Project Co-ordinator Sarah-Louise Smith
Sarah-Louise Smith
As project coordinator Sarah-Louise works directly for the Department of Environment (DOE) in Montserrat and is managed by both the Director of the DOE and the project leader employed by Durrell. A graduate environmental biologist Sarah-Louise has worked on many projects around the world including monitoring the blue-footed boobies in Galápagos and worked previously as a volunteer for 6 months on the mountain chicken treatment trial study run by Durrell. It is Sarah-Louise’s responsibility to keep the project running on the ground in Montserrat, including the execution of fieldwork, managing the field budget, training project staff and volunteers, liaising with the local project steering committee, and leading the raising-awareness campaign.
Research Officer Lloyd Martin
Lloyd Martin
‘Lloydie’ has been working with the forestry department for over 16 years and has been walking in the forest all his life. As forest technician within the DOE Lloydie is responsible for managing the forestry work programme and supervising the forestry staff. Lloydie has also worked on many projects on island with a variety of NGO’s and was largely involved with both other Darwin Initiative projects completed in Montserrat. Lloydie’s position within this project as research officer means he works closely with Sarah-Louise in the management of the project research elements such as the collection and management of data, providing technical and logistical support on island and reporting and liaising with project partners and technical experts.
Primary Field Assistant Calvin 'Blacka' Fenton
Calvin ‘Blacka’ Fenton
‘Blacka’ has been contracted by the project as primary field assistant due to his extensive knowledge and commitment to both the Centre Hills and the mountain chicken on Montserrat. Blacka has been working with Durrell in studying the mountain chicken since 2003 and continues to demonstrate his skill in spotting, catching and handling the frogs during the fieldwork elements of this project. In addition to working directly with the released mountain chickens, Blacka leads regular searches for this critically endangered species around many areas of the island and remains the most experienced tree frog catcher during the chytrid monitoring surveys. Whether it’s birds, medicinal plants, food of the forest or most importantly frogs, Blacka is our man.
Project Leader Matthew Morten
Matthew Morton
Although this is the first Darwin Initiative project Matt has been challenged with managing, he brings a wealth of experience to his role as Project Leader. Matt has been based in St Lucia with Durrell since 2001 working on various conservation projects both locally and in the wider Caribbean region. Matt’s job is to manage the project from St. Lucia with frequent visits to Montserrat ensuring the delivery of all major activities and to provide guidance and support to the team in Montserrat.
Field Team in Dominica
Coming soon
International Team
The international team is made up of members of the partner organisations. This includes
For Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust: Andrew Terry (Head of Field Programmes), Richard Young (Head of Conservation Science), Gerardo Garcia (Head of Herpetology Department), Javier Lopez (Head of Veterinary Services).
For the Zoological Society of London: Andrew Cunningham (Head of Wildlife Epidemiology) and Trent Garner (Senior Research Fellow).
For Chester Zoo: Richard Gibson (Curator of Lower Vertebrates and Invertebrates, and Taxon Officer for Amphibian Ark).
For Parken Zoo: Helena Ollson (Director) and Linn Lagerström (Herpetology Department).
The Mountain Chicken Recovery Programme is a partnership between Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Zoological Society of London, North of England Zoological Society Chester Zoo, Parken Zoo and the Governments of Montserrat and Dominica.