Tara Dawson
Worthing,West Sussex
Summary
An an experienced and dedicated Senior Project Officer with over five years’ experience delivering river restoration and catchment-scale Natural Flood Management (NFM) projects, and more than ten years’ experience within the environmental sector. Passionate passionate about using nature-based solutions to improve biodiversity, water quality and climate resilience. Successfully successfully designed and delivered over 14 river and habitat restoration, and NFM projects from concept through to implementation, working collaboratively with landowners, farmers, local authorities, statutory agencies and partner organisations to achieve lasting environmental benefits.
Overview
1
1
Certification
18
18
years of professional experience
Work history
Senior Project Officer
Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust
2026.04 - 2026.07
- Lead the development and delivery of river restoration and catchment-scale nature recovery projects from concept through to implementation.
- Lead the design and delivery of restoration and enhancement projects using sound science and best practice.
- Contributed to project management by overseeing budgets, reporting, monitoring design, and planning timelines for effective delivery.
- Built and maintained strategic relationships with key stakeholders, including landowners, farmers, partner organisations, and local authorities, to facilitate successful project delivery.
- Developed new project opportunities through site visits, feasibility assessments, and stakeholder engagement, enhancing project pipeline.
Bat Walks Guide
Wakehurst
2024.06 - 2026.07
- Led public bat walks, interpreting bat ecology and habitats to educate diverse audiences
- Operated heterodyne bat detectors during events to engage audiences and deepen understanding of bat ecology
Project Officer
Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust
2025.12 - 2026.04
- Supported development and delivery of river and catchment enhancement projects across the Ouse and Adur River catchments.
- Produced reports, project documentation and delivery plans.
- Provided advice on land management and enhancement opportunities aligned with river and landscape-scale restoration objectives.
- Developed project opportunities through landowner and farmer engagement.
Adur Catchment Officer
Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust
2024.04 - 2025.12
- Led delivery of the 'Adur Adaptation Project', focused on catchment-scale Natural Flood Management, river restoration, and long-term habitat restoration within the River Adur Catchment.
- Designed and delivered habitat restoration, river re-naturalisation, and NFM projects from initial concept and design to implementation and delivery including floodplain reconnection, wetland and pond creation, riparian woodland and hedgerow planting and installation of leaky woody dams.
- Developed and implemented a flow monitoring programme to establish baseline conditions and assess project impact.
- Engaged stakeholders including farmers, landowners, local communities, and partner organisations to identify and implement nature-based solutions.
- Delivered projects against targets, budgets, consents and permissions, compliance requirements, and timescales.
- Coordinated volunteers to deliver practical conservation works supporting project delivery.
- Produced technical reports to inform project decisions and demonstrate outcomes.
Natural Flood Management Project Officer – River Adur
Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust
2021.06 - 2024.04
- Supported the development of a catchment-scale natural flood management (NFM) strategy for the River Adur in partnership with the Environment Agency and key stakeholders.
- Assessed flood risk and identified priorities for NFM across the catchment.
- Worked closely with landowners and farmers to identify NFM opportunities and develop a pipeline of delivery sites.
- Coordinated volunteers to implement NFM initiatives, including tree and hedgerow planting and installation of leaky woody dams.
- Promoted the benefits of nature-based solutions and working with natural processes through events, community talks and other stakeholder engagement and activities.
- Collated and analysed data, informing landscape-scale project development, delivery, and evaluation.
Seasonal Assistant Ecologist
Batscan Ltd
West Sussex
2021.06 - 2023.01
- Conducted daytime bat walkovers and dusk emergence surveys to monitor bat activity.
- Facilitated ecological survey work using thermal observation equipment to assess wildlife presence.
Campsite Warden
The Secret Campsite
East Sussex
2017.04 - 2017.10
- Initial point of contact for customers on site also via phone and email.
- Accountable for campsite maintenance.
- Supported and coordinated at the annual Sussex Wildlife Trust ‘Secret Wildlife Festival’ held at the campsite.
Seasonal Ecological Project Officer / Assistant Ecologist
Arbeco / Middlemarch Environmental Ltd
2015.01 - 2017.01
- Conducted protected species surveys for bats (emergence and transect), dormice, badgers, and reptiles, contributing to conservation efforts.
- Assisted in collecting survey data in the field and preparing detailed reports.
Earlier Career in Transformational Change, Project Implementation, Training and Coaching
Bupa Global
2009.01 - 2015.01
- Held roles in transformation, continuous improvement, coaching and training, contributing to organisational change initiatives.
- Developed strong transferable skills in project development and implementation, stakeholder engagement, communication, data analysis, volunteer management, training delivery, process improvement and reporting.
Education
BSc (Hons) - Ecology and Conservation
University of Brighton
FdSc - Countryside Management
Plumpton College
Skills
- Experience in river and habitat restoration, wetland creation, floodplain reconnection and nature recovery
- Natural flood management
- Proven track record of leading the development and delivery of complex environmental restoration projects
- Strong project management skills, delivering projects on time, within budget and to specification
- Strong technical report writing, project planning and data analysis skills
- Extensive experience engaging and building strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
- A strong knowledge of UK ecology, environmental legislation and conservation best practice
- Analytical, organised and detail-oriented
- Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills
Certification
- ITC Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work & Outdoor First Aid (2025)
- National Water Safety Management Programme – Modules 1 & 2 (2025)
- Level 1 Dormouse Survey Class Licence (CL10a) (2024)
- CIEEM Knepp Rewilding Course (2017)
- Bat First Aid and Care Course / Bat Detector Workshop (2016)
- Level 1 Award in Practical Horticulture (2015)
- Practical Agile Course (2014)
- Change Management (2013)
- ILM Level 3 Award in Workplace Coaching (2011)
Additional information
Automatic, clean driving licence
Timeline
Senior Project Officer
Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust
2026.04 - 2026.07
Project Officer
Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust
2025.12 - 2026.04
Bat Walks Guide
Wakehurst
2024.06 - 2026.07
Adur Catchment Officer
Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust
2024.04 - 2025.12
Natural Flood Management Project Officer – River Adur
Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust
2021.06 - 2024.04
Seasonal Assistant Ecologist
Batscan Ltd
2021.06 - 2023.01
Campsite Warden
The Secret Campsite
2017.04 - 2017.10
Seasonal Ecological Project Officer / Assistant Ecologist
Arbeco / Middlemarch Environmental Ltd
2015.01 - 2017.01
Earlier Career in Transformational Change, Project Implementation, Training and Coaching
Bupa Global
2009.01 - 2015.01
FdSc - Countryside Management
Plumpton College
BSc (Hons) - Ecology and Conservation
University of Brighton