CIEEM welcomes a new Fellow: Dr Katie Medcalf CEcol FCIEEM

Dr Katie Medcalf CEcol FCIEEM

Katie Medcalf is Environment Director at Environment Systems Ltd and has over twenty years of experience in delivering successful projects in environmental policy, agri-environment, ecology, GIS and remote sensing. Working across the UK and the UK Overseas Territories, Katie has developed innovative approaches to ecological monitoring, mapping and environmental planning, helping practitioners, governments and conservation organisations make better informed decisions. Her work has addressed important evidence gaps while improving the use of ecological information in conservation and environmental management.

Katie’s work has been assessed as having made a notable and lasting contribution in the following areas:

Establishing or raising professional standards through developments in training, quality standards or methods

Katie has made a significant contribution to advancing professional standards through innovative habitat assessment and monitoring approaches. Her work on Earth Observation techniques and habitat mapping has promoted more consistent, repeatable and evidence-based methodologies for ecological assessment. She led the creation of habitat and soil baseline datasets for several UK Overseas Territories, including Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, St Helena and Ascension Island, providing standardised ecological evidence that now supports environmental monitoring, policy development and climate resilience planning.

She has also contributed to the British Ecological Society’s Irreplaceable Habitats Policy Lab, helping develop guidance for the identification and protection of irreplaceable habitats. Her contribution to the first national remote sensing habitat map of Wales, together with published methodologies and technical guidance, has supported wider adoption of high-quality digital monitoring techniques across the profession.

Influencing the evolution of policies or legislation in relation to the natural environment

Katie has contributed to environmental policy development through a range of influential advisory roles. As a member of the Welsh Government Biodiversity Deep Dive Core Group and the British Ecological Society’s Irreplaceable Habitats Policy Development Group, she has helped ensure that ecological evidence informs strategic policy discussions and environmental decision-making. These appointments demonstrate both the value of her expertise and the influence of her work beyond individual projects.

She has also contributed to CIEEM responses to national consultations, helping ensure that the perspectives and environmental challenges of the UK Overseas Territories are represented within policy development. Her evidence to the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee, together with contributions relating to biodiversity recovery, 30×30 commitments and irreplaceable habitats, has strengthened the evidence base underpinning environmental policy and decision-making.

Innovation through establishing new partnerships, leadership techniques or awareness for ecological professionalism

Innovation has been a defining feature of Katie’s career. She has pioneered the application of Earth Observation, remote sensing, GIS, ecosystem service modelling and natural capital assessment to environmental challenges. Her work has helped create practical approaches for environmental monitoring, conservation planning and climate resilience, influencing ecological practice across multiple countries and territories.

Katie has also demonstrated innovation through professional leadership. As Convenor, and later Vice-Convenor, of CIEEM’s Overseas Territories Special Interest Group, she helped shape CIEEM’s engagement with the Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. Through conferences, webinars, publications and professional networking, she promoted collaboration, knowledge exchange and capacity building between practitioners, organisations and governments. Her contributions have been recognised through a highly commended award in the 2022 CIEEM Awards for Innovation and a 2023 CIEEM Volunteer Achievement Award.

From the evidence provided, the review panel agreed that:

Katie has made a significant and widely recognised contribution to ecology and environmental management through her leadership in advancing professional standards, influencing policy and developing innovative technical solutions. Her work has addressed major evidence gaps, improved ecological practice and strengthened environmental decision-making in the UK and Overseas Territories. Combining technical excellence, innovation and professional leadership, she has demonstrated a level of influence and impact fully consistent with Fellowship. Katie is thoroughly deserving of this recognition.

 I am delighted to be awarded CIEEM Fellowship, which marks a very significant milestone in my career. My work across the UK and Overseas Territories, particularly through using technology and running OT-SIG events, has been hugely rewarding. Having gained so much knowledge and so many connections through CIEEM over the past twentyyearsor so, I strongly encourage all members to get involved and draw on the incredible depth of experience in our community.

Dr Katie Medcalf CEcol FCIEEM

CIEEM is currently on the road to reaching 100 Fellows by the end of 2026, a milestone that reflects the strength, diversity and expertise within the profession. If you have made a significant contribution to addressing ecological or environmental management challenges, Fellowship could be for you.

Becoming a Fellow is a powerful way to demonstrate your knowledge, skills and experience, while contributing to the continued development of the profession. Fellows play a vital role as leaders, mentors and advocates, helping to inspire and support others through their work and influence.

If Katie’s journey resonates with your own career, now may be the time to consider putting yourself forward.