Helen Burton

Helen Burton

Postgraduate in Conservation ecology

Oxford Brookes University

Biography

Recent postgraduate in conservation ecology, with 10 years of experience working in conservation. I have successfully managed projects in community outreach, education, ecological research, and practical conservation, both in the UK and abroad.

Interests

  • Wildlife photography
  • Ecological research
  • Conservation
  • Engagement and education

Education

  • MSc Conservation Ecology, Oxford Brookes University, 2020

  • FGASA Level 1, 2015

  • BA Criminology and Applied Social Studies, Keele University, 2006

Skills

Conservation research

Early career

Conservation photography

Semi-professional

Administration

Experienced

Experience

 
 
 
 
 

Senior manager- maternity cover

Bubugo Conservation Trust

Feb 2022 – Jun 2022
Managing accounts and reporting for BCT, a community based organisation working for transformative environmental and social change in Bubugo, Uganda.
 
 
 
 
 

Photographer in residence

Naturehood

Mar 2021 – Feb 2022
Photographer in residence for Naturehood, a community project seeking to reverse wildlife decline.
 
 
 
 
 

Contracted researcher

Self-initiated

Jan 2019 – Jul 2019 Uganda

Was contracted for and self-initiated biodiversity research in three areas of Uganda. Responsibilities included:

  • Assisting in the collection of biodiversity data for EIA at Ziwa ranch, Murchison.
  • Planning and launching biodiversity research programme at Kacheera camp, Mbarara.
  • Planning and conducting pollinator surveys for Bubugo Conservatuin Trust, Jinja.
 
 
 
 
 

Research assistant

MOYA project

Nov 2018 – Jul 2019 Mbale, Uganda

Collected methane emission samples from soil and vegetation in Mpologoma swamp. Responsibilities included:

  • Collecting methane samples
  • Preparing for field work
  • Leading field team

Awards

Category winner in Capturing Ecology

British Ecological Society Oct 2023
Category winner for Individuals and Populations (Plants and Fungi) in BES Capturing Ecology photography competition.

Distinction for MSc dissertation

Oxford Brookes University Oct 2020
Awarded a distinction for my dissertation project ‘Oxford Brookes: In Our Nature’, a nature engagement website for students.

First prize in GetPublished! Poster Conference

Oxford Brookes University Jun 2020
Won first prize in the Postgraduate category for my research poster, ‘The diet of a small carnivore in a recovering semi-arid landscape.’

Distinction in Nature Enthusiast course

African Nature Training Nov 2015
Achieved a distinction in Nature Enthusiast course, leading to a 94% pass mark for FGASA assessment

Project nominated for London Food Award

London Wildlife Trust Mar 2012
Project nominated for award in community food growing category

Photography

March 2023
Conservation Photography

Conservation Photography

I am a keen wildlife photographer, and recently I have been taking steps into conservation photography. Take a look at my photography site here.
NearwildHelen
January 2023

Conservation writing

I have started writing for conservation publications, to accompany my photography. You can find links to some recent articles below.
Current Conservation
April 2019

Bug Club articles

I have written several articles for the Amateur Entomologists’ Society ‘Bug Club’ magazine for children. The articles are inspired by invertebrates I have encountered during my travels through Africa, and illustrated with my photography.
AES

Projects

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All East Africa UK Southern Africa

Little Paddocks, Selsey

Project lead for private nature reserve.

Mongoose diet study, Namibia

Diet composition of cape grey mongooses in the Namibian Nama-Karoo.

MOYA project, Uganda

Research assistant on MOYA project, Uganda.

Ziwa ranch EIA, Uganda

Research assistant for Ziwa ranch EIA.

Contact