Hello All, I am so glad to have found this community! My name is Manya Russo and I am from Malta and based here at the moment. As a Project Manager with Birdlife Malta, I am currently working on a 5 year conservation project to improve the status of two endangered seabirds; the Yelkouan Shearwater and the Balearic Shearwater. My main work revolves around tackling bycatch of shearwaters, and controlling the population of mammal invasive alien species which predate on the eggs and chicks of these seabirds. I am also a keen science communicator and enjoy working with fishing communities and mariners as our key stakeholders. 

I am also the chairperson of a young local eNGO called Zibel which tackles marine litter and carries out scientific research on plastics. My main role here is acquiring funds and applying for grants for the NGO to continue its mission, and running our projects. 

I am an avid diver, and all around outdoorsy person, who really enjoys learning about other NGOs and projects in conservation and meeting other professionals in this field!