Welcome to my page! My name is Michelle Parsons, and I'm excited to share with you my passion for conservation. I hold a BSc in Zoology with Conservation from Bangor University and currently work as a Senior Bat Advisor, Project Coordinator for the Volunteer Bat Care Helpline (VBCH) & VBRV Lead at the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) in the UK. I've been fortunate enough to work in various roles within the Bat Conservation Trust, starting out as a Volunteer Engagement Officer for the National Bat Monitoring Programme (NBMP), Survey Administration Officer for the BatsinChurches Project, and as an NBMP Project Volunteer. I currently work on the National Bat Helpline, where I provide advice and support to the public regarding bats. I also play a key role in recruiting and training volunteers for the Volunteer Bat Care Helpline, who handle many of the bat care enquiries we receive through the helpline. Beyond my work with BCT, I also contribute as a Social Media Officer for the London Bat Group, helping to promote awareness and engagement across digital platforms. I'm always eager to learn more and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field, which is why I regularly attend webinars and training courses on a range of important topics. I have completed Grant Writing & Project Management for Wildlife Conservation courses and am currently enrolled on the Project Planning course. Please feel free to network through my Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/mich-parsons.bsky.social) or LinkedIn profiles! /l\ ^._.^ /l\

I am a Dutch tropical field ecologist living in Colombia, working as a Project Manager for the NGO Fundación ProAves. In this role, I focus on securing funding for a wide range of conservation initiatives across the country and beyond. My work allows me the privilege of frequently visiting ProAves’ 27 nature reserves spread throughout Colombia’s diverse ecosystems. As an ecologist, my interests span multiple disciplines, including botany, geology, and soil science. However, my true passion lies in zoology, especially birds, primates, and herpetofauna. Over the years, I’ve conducted extensive scientific fieldwork throughout the Neotropics during numerous internships and expeditions. That deep connection to the region’s biodiversity ultimately led me to stay and dedicate my life to conserving the extraordinary species and habitats of what is truly the land of birds.  Soy un ecólogo tropical neerlandés radicado en Colombia, donde trabajo como Director de Gestion Proyectos para la Fundación ProAves. En esta labor, me dedico a gestionar y asegurar financiamiento para una amplia gama de iniciativas de conservación a nivel nacional e internacional. Gracias a ello, tengo el privilegio de visitar con frecuencia las 27 reservas naturales que ProAves protege en distintos puntos del país. Como ecólogo de vocación, mis intereses abarcan diversas disciplinas como la botánica, la geología y las ciencias del suelo. Sin embargo, mi verdadera pasión está en la zoología, particularmente en las aves, los primates y la herpetofauna. A lo largo de los años, he realizado extensos trabajos de campo científico en el Neotrópico durante múltiples pasantías y expediciones. Esta conexión profunda con la biodiversidad de la región me llevó finalmente a quedarme y dedicar mi vida a conservar las especies y hábitats extraordinarios de este territorio que, con razón, puede llamarse la tierra de las aves.