Our people
A small team of highly experienced professionals oversees the provision of ISI’s services, including coordinating the involvement of Landcare Research staff and other specialists through our partners and international networks.
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Alan SaundersThe team’s manager, Alan Saunders has more than 30 years experience in species recovery and invasive species management in New Zealand where he has worked on programmes to save iconic threatened species such as tuatara, kiwi, kokako and takahe, as well as abroad. From 1989-1998 Alan managed the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) Threatened Species Unit, and from 1998-2002 was the national coordinator of DOC’s ‘Mainland Island’ programme. This focused on restoring natural ecosystems on areas of New Zealand’s two main islands. Alan also led the Pacific Invasive Initiative’s coordinating team for over 5 years. |
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John ParkesJohn Parkes is an internationally respected invasive species ecologist with over 30 years’ experience in vertebrate pest control. John undertakes planning; he led the development of national possum and tahr plans for New Zealand. He also specialises in assessing the feasibility of proposed invasive species management projects. Recently he provided advice to the Japanese Government on the eradication of mongooses on islands and, in the opposite corner of the Pacific, led a team looking at the feasibility of eradicating North American beavers from southern Patagonia. John has also undertaken project reviews. He recently reviewed a project aimed at eradicating European starlings from Western Australia. One of John’s research interests has been the development of detection probabilities, surveillance and search theory to inform invasive species management decision-making. |
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Phil CowanPhil Cowan also has extensive experience as an invasive species ecologist, and in the development of conservation projects. Phil leads Landcare Research’s Pest Control Technologies team focused on the development of new tools, technologies and strategies for vertebrate pest control. Recently Phil was part of a team that developed a National Rodent Control programme for Libya. In New Zealand he is best known for his authoritative research into the control of the Australian brushtail possum. |
Facilitating specialist inputs
An important objective of Invasive Species International’s coordinating team is to facilitate the involvement of relevant Landcare Research and other external specialists in off-shore projects.
The coordinated engagement of Landcare Research staff across a range of disciplines presents unprecedented opportunities to comprehensively and authoritatively address invasive species problems.
Through our partnerships and extensive international networks we will also be looking to involve other relevant specialists in ISI projects.
Wherever possible we will take a cooperative approach, linking with partners and collaborators to minimise duplication and to maximise progress globally in addressing the threats posed by invasive species.
