Staff, Students & Associates

Conservation Biology Masters Students (2011/12)

Emily Cressey

Email: emily.cressey@uct.ac.za

Emily Cressey grew up in rural England and from a young age developed an interest in nature and its conservation. She went on to study Geography and Environmental Management at the University of the West of England where her passion was further fuelled by the stimulating world of academia. Emily specialised in ecology, specifically the ecology and management of deciduous woodlands. Her dissertation was on the effects of deer browsing on two coppiced sites in an ancient woodland reserve, and her findings have been used in the reserve’s management practices. To date, Emily’s involvement in conservation has been voluntary, primarily working with the BTCV charitable organisation. Working as project leader for a year, she completed ecological assessments, drew up and implemented realistic management plans and created local public awareness of conservation issues. Since graduating in 2006, Emily has also travelled extensively through India, the Andaman Islands and Nepal. Emily believes that the rich biodiversity of South Africa will present her with new and exciting opportunities, and through the Fitz Patrick Institute she hopes to harness her passion and knowledge to contribute directly to the future of conservation in South Africa.

Mini-thesis

The conservation genetics of a newly recognized Cape Peninsula endemic: Rose's Mountain Toad (Capensibufo rosei) (Supervisors: Krystal Tolley, John Measey & Peter Ryan). Graduated June 2012