Ann looks forward to her new advisory group role (From Gazette & Herald)

Ann looks forward to her new advisory group role

THE Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) has appointed Ann Hanson as farm conservation adviser for South and West Yorkshire.

Ann started work with FWAG earlier this month. She has a BSc in zoology from London University and an MSc in biodiversity and conservation from the University of Leeds.

When she first left university, she worked as a habitat surveyor for the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and then went to work for an international database called the zoological record.

"I have lived on the border of North and West Yorkshire all my life and currently own a small holding with my husband near Aberford.

"We mainly manage our land for wildlife, with a few poultry and a menagerie of various animals, ranging from cats, rabbits and ferrets to bats.

"My main area of interest is mammals and I've been lucky enough to work on everything from elephants to harvest mice over the years.

"I have over 15 years experience of small mammal live trapping with the Yorkshire Mammal Group and have held the post of YMG Field Studies Adviser for most of the last 10 years.

"I've been actively involved with the North Yorkshire Bat Group for many years and, as a licensed bat worker, carry out roost surveys and care for sick and injured bats on behalf of English Nature.

"I also teach dormouse ecology and conservation courses for the Mammal Society and was pleased to be involved in the recent dormouse reintroductions in North Yorkshire.

"Having grown up in a farming community, with family and friends still in the business, and with a passion for conservation, I'm looking forward to combining my two main interests in my new career with FWAG."

Updated: 09:23 Wednesday, February 01, 2006