Phil Johnston

Environmental Consultant and Guide

Phil is an environmental scientist with a particular interest in marine-life. He graduated in 2000 with a BSc degree in Environmental Sciences and Economics from Stirling University, which incorporated a valuable exchange year at Canada’s Guelph University.

He then moved into conservation work with the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT). Phil initially assisted an eco-tourism study and set up an interpretation centre, before taking over the running of a small research and education program. In the three years of this project he followed bottlenose dolphins throughout the Hebrides; studying the animals from yachts, tour boats, fishing boats and ferries; conducting public talks and school visits; and produced a short film. Dolphins also led Phil to all too brief stints at various projects in New Zealand’s South Island, Florida, Costa Rica and Hawaii.

Phil now works on a freelance basis as an environmental consultant. As an experienced Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) and Passive Acoustic Monitoring Operator (PAM), he has worked on projects of; seismic oil exploration, oil-rig decommissioning and the implementation of military active sonar. All with the strong ethos of working with the client to meet environmental guidelines and reduce negative effects upon marine wildlife. 

Keen to share enthusiasm and general knowledge of the natural world, Phil has -throughout all this time- worked as a naturalist guide aboard various wildlife-watching boats and built up a portfolio of photographs and written articles.

Phil is now based on the small Greek island of Skopelos, where he is studying for his skipper’s ticket and attempting to learn the local language. 

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