Habitat Audit Officer to Lead Groundbreaking River Restoration Project for Atlantic Salmon Conservation
The Scottish Borders is set to benefit from cutting-edge conservation expertise with the appointment of Matthew Little to a new role leading habitat restoration work across the River Tweed catchment.
Scottish environmental charity The Tweed Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Matthew Little as its new Habitat Audit Officer. Matthew will play a pivotal role in delivering a groundbreaking river catchment audit and restoration project for the Tweed District, which covers approximately 5,000 square kilometres across the Scottish Borders and Northumberland, starting high in the Lowther Hills and flowing to the North Sea at Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Matthew's recent specialisation in ecological restoration site selection through his thesis work at the University of Iowa in the USA has perfectly positioned him for this three-year role in the Scottish Borders. He also brings a strong academic background, holding an MSc in Environmental Sustainability and a BSc in Ecological and Environmental Science from Edinburgh University
This exciting post, funded by the Tweed Foundation, will see Matthew spearheading the continued development of a sophisticated Geographical Information System (GIS) across the Tweed catchment, a project that was started last year on the Gala Water by the Tweed Foundation's lead biologist, James Hunt. His extensive practical experience in field ecology and identification makes him uniquely suited for this role, with his skills encompassing everything from UK tree and plant identification (including Scottish conifers and upland species) to fungi, mammal, bird, and freshwater invertebrate identification, demonstrating a broad and deep understanding of diverse ecosystems.
A key aspect of the role will involve fostering effective liaison, communication, and partnerships with land managers, agencies, and private sector advisors.
Jamie Stewart, CEO of the Tweed Foundation, commented, "We are pleased to welcome Matthew Little to the team. His impressive practical field experience and strong academic background from the University of Iowa make him the ideal candidate to lead this vital project. His expertise will be invaluable as we work to enhance and protect the precious ecosystems of the Tweed District, marking a significant step forward in our commitment to conserving Atlantic salmon and fish species and their environments for public benefi
Based at Drygrange near Melrose, the Tweed Foundation is a leading Scottish environmental charity whose mission is to advance, for public benefit, environmental protection and improvement by conserving and enhancing all species of freshwater fish and their environments in the waters of the Tweed & Eye Fisheries District.
While renowned for its work with Atlantic salmon and trout, the Foundation's remit extends to all freshwater fish, including Grayling, Lamprey, and Eel.
