Will Stapleton

Background

About Will Stapleton

I am currently working in community nature-based work and have a Masters degree in Environmental Science from UCD with a background in both sustainability and ecological research and practice. I have a strong passion for ecosystem restoration, biodiversity, and climate change, and I am completing my Master’s thesis on the barriers to native Oyster Reef Restoration in Ireland. I have completed terrestrial mammal, marine mammal, bat and biodiversity and habitat surveys, as well as Ecological impact assessments and Appropriate assessments as an ecological consultant. I have developed skills and knowledge in GIS, EIAs, data analysis, and wildlife management. I work as an adventure therapist and run a site for our Embers community nature-based program, in which nature is at the centre of the solution to human problems. Humans are also at the centre of environmental problems and I am passionate about finding long-lasting, people-centred solutions to global biodiversity collapse, climate change, and conservation. I have a first-class honours degree from Trinity College Dublin in Psychology, with a thesis and study focus on climate-related attitudes and behaviour. I chose to study psychology for my BA instead of environmental science, as people are at the forefront and intersection of everything we do. When it comes to conservation, interpersonal community relationships are often a vital step in promoting nature restoration and animal conservation. I wanted to gain a deep understanding of interpersonal relationships and develop effective communication skills necessary to work in the field of conservation. During my studies, worked with the Energy Institute and iCRAG in UCD to study the perceptions of renewables, energy infrastructure, and sustainable products. As a graduate, I worked for over a year on the SFI-funded NatureWatch project in UCD (BEES), leading workshops, quantitative and qualitative analyses, and knowledge-development for our citizen science project on phenology. I have worked with large and small communities, and groups and individuals of young and elderly people, and have completed additional training in emergency wilderness first aid, adventure activities, and social work. I have lived in countries across Europe and through personal experience and projects have built cultural awareness and sensitivity. I thrive in areas of collaboration, interdisciplinary work, and the interface of humans, communites, and the environment.