Curriculum Vitae

Dr Peter Foss BSc PhD MIEEM

Education

        1966 - 1971 St Killian German School, Dublin (Primary School)
        1971 - 1977 The High School Dublin (Secondary School)
        1977 - 1982 University College Dublin, National University of Ireland
            (Bachelor of Science, Honours Degree)
        1982 - 1986 University College Dublin, National University of Ireland
            Doctorate (PhD) < br style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">
PhD Research (1982-1986)

Title: The Distribution, Phytosociology, Autecology and Post-glacial History of Erica erigena R. Ross in Ireland

This research experience involved an investigation of the history, autecology, and phytosociology of Erica erigena in western Ireland. The project was carried out under the following research headings: Palynology; Species Distribution; Soil nutrient levels; Phytosociology; Vegetation mapping; Water level analysis; Comparative studies in Galicia N.W. Spain.

Work Summary

Excellent multitasking, time management, and 15 years 'hands on' experience of developing, and managing an Irish environmental conservation group focusing on the conservation of bogs and fens. Considerable skills in the area of environmental lobbying & publicity campaigns, strategic organisation planning, project design and supervision, budgeting, staff management, relationship marketing and fund raising. Environmental skills include wetland field surveys and research, habitat and planning assessments, results analysis, public speaking and scientific report preparation, as well as conference planning and leading field excursions.

Recent Work Experience

2006-to present - Independent Environmental Consultant

Environmental Consultant, field surveyor and researcher working on a variety of environmental contracts focusing on wetlands and especially fen research projects in Ireland, including the design and development of the Guidelines for a National Fen Survey of Ireland methodology; the NPWS National Fen Study and a variety of wetland surveys in County Monaghan, Clare and Sligo (see project details below).

2010 Consultant Ecologist on Reenagross Park, Kenmare, Co. Kerry. Baseline Ecological Surveys and Biodiversity Conservation Plan. Report prepared by Wetland Surveys Ireland for Kenmare Tidy Towns Association.

2010 Field Ecologist on The County Sligo Wetlands Survey for Faith Wilson Ecological Consultant. Project funded by Sligo County Council.

2010 Field Ecologist on National Survey of Upland Habitats (NSUH) for Botanical Environmental & Conservation Consultants Ltd. (BEC). Project funded by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Ireland.

2010 Consultant Ecologist on The County Monaghan Wetlands Map – Desk Survey & GIS Preparation. Report prepared by Wetland Surveys Ireland for Monaghan County Council and The Heritage Council.

2010 Field Ecologist on survey work for the Tralee to Dindle N86 road improvement scheme; Kerry Windfarm project.

2009 & 2010 Field Ecologist & Surveyor on Orchid Ireland Survey for counties Dublin, Louth, Meath & Westmeath. Project undertaken for National Museums Northern Ireland.

2009 Monitoring Survey of Blanket Bog vegetation at Curragh Mountain Windfarm, Millstreet, Co. Cork. Report for Malachy Walsh and Partners.

2008 Consultant Ecologist on the County Clare Wetlands Survey Phase I a report prepared for Clare County Council.

2008 Consultant Ecologist and surveyor on the Monaghan Fen Survey Phase II undertaken for the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Monaghan County Council.

2008 Consultant Ecologist on the preparation of the Guidelines for a National Fen Survey of Ireland. Survey Manual. Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Ireland & Monaghan County Council.

2007 Consultant Ecologist and surveyor on the Monaghan Fen Survey for the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Monaghan County Council.

2007 Consultant Ecologist for the National Parks and Wildlife Service responsible for preparation of EU Habitats Directive Conservation Status Assessment Reports for Alkaline Fen, Transition Mire, Cladium Fen and Petrifying Spring in Ireland.

2006-2007 Consultant Ecologist on the National Parks and Wildlife Service Study of the Extent and Conservation Status of Springs, Fens and Flushes in Ireland

1986-1989 Post doctoral Research Fellow & College Lecturer, Trinity College Dublin undertook palynological research on the soak system at Lough Roe, Clara Bog, Co. Offaly

1987 Research assistant and surveyor on the Irish Blanket Bog National Survey in Co Mayo for Dúchas - the State Nature Conservation Agency

1986 Research assistant responsible for mapping and collation of information on the Natural Heritage Area Mapping Scheme for Dúchas - the State Nature Conservation Agency

1986 College lecturer, Botany Department University College Dublin, Honours Botany Course and Premedical Students.

1985 - 1990 Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland Vice County Recorder for County Laois

1985 Field researcher and author of a report entitled An Environmental Impact Study of the proposed hydroelectric generating scheme at Lough Belshade, County Donegal.

1982 - 1984 Conducted a phytosociological and ecological survey of Sarracenia purpurea L. (North American Pitcher Plant) on a number of raised bog sites in Ireland.

1982 Research assistant and surveyor on the Irish Raised Bog National Survey for Dúchas - the State Nature Conservation Agency

1982 Vegetation survey and environmental impact study of Tachumshin Lake, Co. Wexford for Dúchas - the State Nature Conservation Agency

1981 Translation of German Scientific manuscript into English. Wilmanns, O. & Brun-Hool, J. (1982) Plant communities of human settlements in Ireland 1. Vegetation of walls. Journal of Life Sciences, Royal Dublin Society. 3 (1): 79-91.

1989-2004 Irish Peatland Conservation Council - Chief Executive & Administrator

Responsibilities

Campaigns Co-ordinator
Strategic planning, business plan implementation
Peatland Site Database design & systems management
Staff recruiting, training and supervision
Student research project supervision
Budget control & accounts preparation
Staff supervisor
Co-ordination of publicity campaigns/IPCC spokesperson
Web site creation, design and maintenance see http://www.ipcc.ie

Profile of Work with IPCC
As Chief Executive of IPCC I guided the growth and development of the organisation over 15 years and managed daily operations of a busy non-profit organisation.

Responsible for staff recruitment, supervision and training, installing office systems, setting annual fund-raising and expenditure targets, budget preparation, results analysis and preparing company audit.

I co-ordinated IPCC's publicity campaign and acted as IPCC spokesperson; initiated and supervised a variety of scientific research projects and lobbying campaigns, and organised 3 international conferences and 2 field excursions to Ireland.

Relevant Environmental Surveys & Research Experience while with the IPCC

1987 - 2004 Project Manager, Researcher and Designer of IPCC’s Peatland Site Database containing information on over 1200 wetland conservation objects.

1998 - 2002 Project Co-ordinator for the Great SAC Race - an initiative by Ireland leading NGO’s to increase the area of Special Areas of Conservation protected in Ireland. Official Representative for the lobby group at three EU Atlantic Biogeographical meetings in Kilkee, Ireland in 1999, Paris, France in 1999 and The Hague, Holland in 2002.

2002 Project Supervisor of the IPCC's Hop To It Irish Frog Survey.

2000 Organiser and Field Researcher of the Irish Raised Bog - Conservation, Utilisation and After-Use International Study Tour and Conference. Editor of the field excursion report.

1999- 2000 Project Supervisor for the IPCC Irish Fen Inventory - a survey and report on newly discovered and existing fens and wetland sites that were proposed by IPCC for inclusion in the NHA and SAC network.

1999 Field Researcher and Editor of a scientific report entitled A survey of Cutover and Cutaway Bog Habitats of the Irish Midlands.

1998 - 1999 Researcher and Editor of two IPCC Reports on peatland sites to be designated as Special Areas of Conservation for raised bogs (1998) and blanket bogs (1999).

1990 - 2001 Project Manager, Field Researcher and Editor of IPCC site specific surveys, reports and management plans on -

Monmore Bog & Tullaher Lough, Co. Clare 1990

Ardkill Bog, Co. Kildare 1992 and 1993

Fenor Bog, Co. Waterford 1999 and 2000

Cummeragh River Bog, Co. Kerry 2000

Bealacoon Bog, Co. Galway 1997 and 1998

Eirk Bog, Co. Kerry 2001

1997 Conference organiser of the Peatlands 2000 Conference and senior editor of the conference proceedings 1998 entitled - Towards a Conservation Strategy for the Bogs of Ireland

1997 Project Manager and researcher of IPCC's Hop To It Irish Frog Survey and editor of scientific report on the results from the survey.

1990 Organiser and field researcher for the International Mire Conservation Group Excursion and Symposium to Irish bogs in 1990. Editor of the excursion and symposium proceedings in 1991 entitled - Irish Peatlands the Critical Decade.

1987 - 2004 IPCC official representative and lobbyist on a variety of national committees dealing with the: EU Special Areas of Conservation Scheme; Natural Heritage Area Scheme; EU Water Framework Directive; NGO Core Funding Group; Irish Habitat Stamp Conservation Programme; Commonage Framework Committee; National Biological Records Centre Scheme and Wildlife Amendment Act 2000.

Publications and reports

Over 60 papers in scientific journals, and general publications and editor of 24 books and reports. For details see attached schedule.

Professional Memberships

2007- to-date Member of the Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management
1985 - 2004 Committee member of the Irish Peatland Conservation Council (Treasurer and Chairman)
1987 – to-date Member of the International Mire Conservation Group
1983 - 1987 Committee member of the Irish Biogeographical Society (Publicity Officer & Treasurer)
1984 - 1990 Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland Vice County Recorder for County Laois
1982 - 1989 Member of the British Ecological Society

Computer Skills

Macintosh user, experienced in a variety of packages including Apple Works, MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Filemaker Pro, DTP/presentation packages including Quark Express and Photoshop. Various HTML/Web design and graphics packages including Adobe Pagemill.

Other Achievements

    Full Driving License obtained 1983
    German Speaker
    Skilled public speaker
    Nature photographer

Hobbies & Interests

Keen gardener; eastern cookery; art; cinema and the environmental conservation movement (supporter of IPCC, An Taisce, WWF, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds).