Why I love my job... Ecology is all about problem solving; making the connections between often disparate pieces of evidence and seeing the opportunity in every situation. There is absolutely no chance of getting bored! 

When I'm out... It is usually in the proximity of good quality beer 

When I'm at home... You'll find me building stuff (current project is a green roofed shed), then it's onto making the dream of a carbon neutral, underground house in the peak district a reality. 

Thing you'd never guess from the photo... I'm not easily frightened by opposing barristers.

When I'm at home... (a) trying to get out with the family, (b) doing dad stuff, (c) reading a good book

Thing you'd never guess from the photo... I often get mistaken for George Clooney. Yes, I know - I can scarcely believe it either! 

The professional bit... I'm a bit of an ecology all-rounder, although I do have a couple of specialisms in bats and wetland/freshwater ecology. Over the last 20 years I've worked on amphibian research in France and Portugal, managed conservation sites in England and Wales, and provided consultancy on small barn conversions through to power station EIAs, via windfarms, nuclear sites, the M6 Toll road and the London Olympics site.

When I'm out... I'm finding a whooshy river to paddle, walking in the woods or visiting friends.

When I\'m in... I'm most often pottering about in the garden or sat in front of the fire with a good book and music on the stereo.

Thing you can't tell from the photo...  I've a savoury tooth rather than a sweet one, although a combination of the two (cheese and honey goes well together) can work wonders.

The professional bit... Over the last nine years I have worked on a huge variety of ecological projects as a consultant in the UK, as well as getting involved with research and bat conservation in New Zealand.  My passions lie with mammals (bats, badgers and dormice) and I also have a strong botanical background.   I love working outside and enjoy the variety that consultancy brings to my working life; the project sites, the wildlife, the people.  No day is the same and I am always learning new things.

When I'm out... Which believe it or not, is not that often, I like sleep too much. However, good beer, good music, good food, and a good film goes down very well. 

When I'm at home... I'm watching DVDs, listening to music, catching up on must see tv series such as The Wire, Lost, Flash Forward. 

Thing you'd never guess from the photo... I'm possibly a chocoholic, or maybe a cakeoholic, mmm, no just have a really bad sweet tooth!

Why I love my job... Well who wouldn't love wandering the seven seas, visiting amazing places looking for whales and trying to understand how they live and communicate? I feel privileged that I can get so close to these creatures and learn about the underwater world through how they exploit their environment.

When I'm out... I'll be playing volleyball in some cold sports hall or on the beach when the weather allows it, which is not that often in England!

When I'm at home... I spend most of my time in the kitchen being creative. I am truly Italian, loving my pasta and pizza, which I like to prepare from scratch.

Thing you'd never guess from the photo... I am actually quite geeky and, I really enjoy dance music.

When I'm out... I'm either taking my dog for a walk, walking with a local walking group with my wife (on Sundays), doing a bit of birding or entertaining my grand-daughter.
 
When I'm at home...I'll be perusing my vast record and book collection, reading my motorbike racing, aviation or bird magazines, looking out for Ipswich Town and Mansfield Town F.C's latest diabolical results or...er...entertaining my grand-daughter (stop me if I'm getting repetitive).
 
Thing you'd never guess from the photo... I don't own a Harris hawk. The one in the picture was just one I was let loose on at Broomfield Hall last year whilst doing a years falconry course.
 
The professional bit...In 2009, I decided to quit my soul destroying factory job and do a full-time, one year BTEC Countryside Management course at Nottingham Trent University. A year later I had gained a Double Distinction. This gave me the qualifications to enrol on a three year BSc (Hons) degree in Environmental Conservation and I am now in the final year of the course. I have always had an big interest in and knowledge of birds which has helped me during my work with Baker Consultants since joining in April 2011. I can honestly say (in stark contrast to my previous employment) I've enjoyed every minute of my consultancy work so far.
 

When I'm out .... I'm usually walking our dog (Digby) in the countryside...Other enjoyments include climbing rocks and general outdoor activities, and I recently started dabbling with photography in the hope of capturing some cool wildlife images. My social time is normally filled with playing gigs with my band, although I do venture to the pub to meet up with friends every now and then!

When I'm at home ... Sadly: study, study, study (with an occasional break to wrestle my dog).

Thing you'd never guess from the photo .... I used to sing in a band ... Topless and covered in body paint!  (Sorry for that image).

The professional bit... I started out on the trail for a career in the biological sciences in 2007. Since then I have studied numerous related courses at a variety of levels in order to achieve this goal. I\'m now in my final year of studying a Wildlife Conservation degree with an aim of continuing my studies at the Masters level (part-time).

When I'm out... I am usually walking my dog, with the family, or both.

When I'm at home.... I am doing the usual running a house stuff, spending time with my family or sitting in my PJs watching TV.

Thing you can't tell from the photo... I enjoy watching 'Horrible Histories' just a bit too much. And I absolutely loathe tea.

The professional bit... Having been interested in all things nature and wildlife related since I was small, it is great to be able to use my skills working for a business doing such interesting work. Although I am envious of those who work out 'in the field', I am ashamed to say I also get a certain amount of satisfaction from a spreadsheet....and at least I never get rained on at my desk.

When I'm out... I'm usually running late due to the distraction of charity shops and children.

When I'm at home... I'm working, cooking and trying to keep control of household chaos. I'm happiest outdoors, so actually I'm not at home very much.

Thing you'd never guess from the photo... I'm happiest asleep, or eating.

The professional bit... I am a trained and untrained marketeer starting my career in the agency side of the technology industry. Marketing is all too often neglected in professional services businesses but it is at the heart of ours. It's a cliche that people buy from people, but we have proved it to be true. I have also been known to recognise the odd plant here and there!

Why I love my job... Partly because I don't have to wear a suit or do 9-5, but mainly because I use my skills and experience to encourage wider, responsible public access to the outdoors.

Thing you'd never guess from my photo... I once sang in a punk band.

Key experience

In 2003 myself and a colleague carried out a ground-breaking access survey in and around York which became an exemplar project for future Rights of Way Improvement Plans, now a statutory requirement for all local authorities. Our study examined access across the whole network: what off-road routes did commuters use to get to work or students take to the university? How did people use the city's open spaces (such as the strays) for recreation and what measures could be taken to reconcile greater public access with nature conservation? And how could access be safeguarded and even enhanced in the face of new road-building, residential developments, etc?

Modern life and all its competing demands in a nutshell.

Why I love my job... The Old Moor and the Dearne Valley wetlands is something I’ve been involved with since I was 9 and I’m really proud of what has been achieved. You had to be brave to walk around Barnsley with a pair of binoculars round your neck! Guardian profile.

Thing you’d never guess from my photo... I’m 6’6” tall and worked as a coal-mining electrician crawling on my hands and knees and sometimes on my belly.

Key experience

After leaving the mining industry in the early 1990s I went back to college to sit amongst youngsters and take my GCSEs. After a foundation course I joined the University of Sheffield’s ecology degree course. Ecological consultancy was a relatively new business and there wasn’t much work available. So after graduating, I worked part-time on ecological projects and part-time for various companies including sales. As the ecological work increased I completed a masters degree in Environmental Management for Business. After gaining this degree I’ve been busy with a wide range of ecological work specialising in ornithological survey. When I first left the mining industry my ambition in life was to get out of bed in the morning and actually look forward to going to work. This is something I never had while working underground. I’ve achieved that ambition now.

When I'm out...  I'm getting dragged up a hill by our dogs, in a controlled fashion, of course! My love of outdoor pursuits includes hillwalking, running and boating, all pastimes which I enjoy with my husband Ross and two dogs whenever I get the chance.

When I'm at home... the cooker is on and the smells are wonderful.  I'm a keen baker of both bread and cakes, although my motivation is mostly driven by the prospect of eating them.  

Thing you'd never guess from the photo... A hard day's walk is not complete without having a good beer next to the fire.

The professional bit... My expertise lies in marine mammal behavioural ecology, particularly in terms of the energetic costs of disturbance, and more general soundscape work. I\'ve been involved with cetacean behavioural response studies in Hawaii and the Gulf of Mexico, as well as static passive acoustic monitoring in coastal waters in Florida. Because the marine environment is difficult and expensive to work in, acoustics is an excellent and effective tool both to investigate individual animals and explore ecosystem assemblages.