Bitsy Pout
What employment sector do you work in?
Private Sector
How long have you had a green job for nature?
3 years
Please describe the work that you do.
As an ecologist, my job entails a wide range of tasks both in the field and desk-based work. I spend most of the winter season writing reports such as Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Biodiversity Net Gain Stage, Protected species reports (dormouse, bats, reptile, water vole), memorandums and district level licences for GCN.
I then spend much of the spring and summer out on surveys; I mostly focus on habitat and BNG surveys, along with dormouse surveys.
What do you most like about your job? Any dislikes?
I love being out in the field doing surveys; my favourite surveys include specialist botanical surveys, BNG surveys and PEAs, dormouse surveys, and reptile surveys.
I also really enjoy writing reports, and the administrative tasks that ecology involves, such as scheduling surveys, data management and consolidation, and using the various types of kit required for surveying.
I am not so much of a big fan of long drives, but I have managed to listen to thousands of hours of podcasts, and can sing loudest in the car. Also, the further into your career, the less driving you have to do.
What inspired you into this career?
I had incredible geography and biology teachers in secondary school, then amazing lecturers at university who encouraged me, and helped me realise what could be possible.
I have always enjoyed wildlife, and my childhood primarily consisted of going for walks and picking up bugs (nothing has changed here). I knew from a fairly young age I wanted to work within the sustainability sector in some way.
Have you faced any challenges in progressing your career so far?
Other than occasionally feeling patronised as a young woman in an early career job about my knowledge levels (the more I learn, the less I realise I know).
I think I have been incredibly lucky to have the opportunities that I have had, but at the same time I have actively pursued these opportunities, and I have worked hard to get to where I am, but I definitely get a sense of imposter syndrome sometimes.
What education/training did you have?
I retook 2 of my A Levels in 2019, as I didn’t get into the only university I wanted to go to (Southampton) – not sure why, I had never been there! I got the two A’s I needed to study Environmental Science BSc, from which I graduated in 2022.
I then completed a Masters in Biodiversity and Conservation in 2023, which gave me some great experience that prepared me for being an ecologist, including writing my thesis on the history of BNG, and the effectiveness of it as a nature metric.
What advice would you give to someone coming into the profession?
Keep an up-to-date CPD log, CV and LinkedIn.
Volunteer with any local wildlife groups you can e.g. Bat Conservation Trust or People’s Trust for Endangered Species.
Network with other people in the sector.
Get a full driving license.
Attend CIEEM, BES, IES events (online, or in-person), at whatever budget you can!
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Tags: England, Private sector, Ecologist, Ecological surveyor
Date profile submitted: 03/03/2026
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