User:Paulbryden/Stephanie peay

Stephanie Peay (born 2nd November 1959) is a British ecologist and crayfish researcher.

Life and work
Stephanie is an alumni of Edinburgh University and Hull University.She is a Member of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management and a Chartered Environmentalist.

In her early professional career in 1984 she compiled the first draft of the ancient woodland inventory for West Sussex

After working for the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group she worked for Cobham Research Consultants, later part of the Scott Wilson Group, as an ecological consultant, where her interests in the White clawed crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes and Signal crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus began.

As an independant crayfish researcher her researches have concentrated on the protection of the UK native White clawed crayfish and restricting the invasion of the UK alien Signal crayfish.

Stephanie is a leading proponent of crayfish conservation and management in Britain and has produced much of the guidance on crayfish used by British ecologists and managers; on survey and monitoring methods, restoration of habitat , mitigation during works on waterbodies and, latterly, on “ark sites" to safeguard white-clawed crayfish . She also provides advice and training for organisations such as the Wildlife Trusts, Environment Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage , BBC and others. As invading Signal crayfish are a major threat to native crayfish, both in Britain and in Europe . , Stephanie has studied the affects of Signal crayfish on White clawed crayfish and their environment, particularly on native fish stocks , and has researched control and eradication methods . She represents the Wildlife Trusts on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan Steering Group for White clawed crayfish, is a board member of the International Association of Astacology and has contributed to the European CRAYNET programme

In her employment with the Scott Wilson Group Stephanie has considerable experience of ecological surveys, ecological assessment and management in a range of habitats in the UK on many types of projects, notably in water resources development roads and airports. She is also a visiting lecturer and student at Leeds University.