Background

I am head of the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) Secretariat, housed at BirdLife International in Cambridge. The KBA Secretariat supports the implementation of the KBA Programme of the 13 KBA Partners which is focused on identifying, mapping, monitoring and conserving sites of importance for the global persistence of biodiversity. In this role I work with governments, scientists and conservation practitioners to train and support KBA national Coordination Groups to identify their KBAs. I have worked extensively in East and Central Africa where I supported the establishment of new protected areas through biological and socioeconomic surveys and engagement of members of local communities. I also supported protected area authorities to better manage and conserve their protected areas in this region.