Dr Emma Hart

FOUNDER

Emma is a scientist and author with extensive international experience in the design and management of nature restoration initiatives. She is the founder of Habitats, a private consultancy service in biodiversity restoration and research, and of Oysterhaven Biodiversity Reserve, a 50-acre nature reserve and research site in the south-west of Ireland, through which she collaborates with state bodies, NGOs and third level institutes with the shared aim of developing leading-edge methods in nature restoration. She holds a research scientist role at University College Dublin where she is EU Policy Lead on the Horizon 2020 Project WaterLANDS, publishes regularly in both the popular and scientific press, and serves on several international professional committees including for the IUCN, Biodiversa+, the EU Green Deal Nature Restoration Cluster, the Leader’s Forum for Ireland’s National Restoration Plan and the Farming for Nature ExCo. Emma has a PhD in conservation ecology and an MSc in psychology and draws on both fields in her conservation work. She is also a passionate adventurer, having spent seven years leading conservation and research expeditions in sub-Saharan Africa, often on horseback.

client testimonials

  • "We commissioned Emma to carry out research on international best practice in rewilding in summer 2022. Emma brought a depth of knowledge and expertise in biodiversity conservation to the project as well as a high level of professionalism and attention to detail. Emma was great to work with, delivering the project on schedule and to a very high standard and I wouldn't hesitate to use Emma's services again for high quality academic research"

    William Fitzmaurice, UCD Earth Institute

  • "Emma has an excellent ability to translate hard science into clear, easy-to-digest information that aims to encourage action. She is currently involved in developing a training programme for our farming ambassadors and a comprehensive manual on enhancing biodiversity on farmland. Emma has a wide range of knowledge and interests within conservation farming. She is very personable, and has a natural ability to deal with all professions within this sector, from farmers to academics. Emma is highly professional with a calm manner that gets the work delivered on time. Above all, she is passionate about what she does and it shows. Farming For Nature has been lucky to work with Emma to further our initiative"

    Brigid Barry, Farming for Nature

  • "Emma was fantastic to work with. She really listened and was very thorough in finding out what sort of research we wanted and was really good at helping us figure out what sort of research we actually needed for our project. She responds very promptly and was available to talk and update us at any time throughout the course of the project. All her work was on time and excellently finished. Her own passion for the environment really shone through her work and her enthusiasm for the project gave us great confidence moving forwards"

    Saoirse McHugh, Wild Parks