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Wildlife
- Close
- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Wild places
- Close
- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
What we do
- Close
- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
Who we are
- Close
- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
Success stories
- Close
- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Get involved
- Close
- - There are so many ways you can help save endangered species. Fancy taking part in a survey, joining us on a wildlife event or becoming a regular supporter?
Shop
- Close
- - Support our work in our shop with a range of charity gifts, home-ware, cards and more. 100% of the profits go directly to help wildlife both in the UK an overseas.
Donate
- Close
- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

Home // International Women’s Day 2020: Jessica Schaus

International Women’s Day 2020: Jessica Schaus

Using cameras to count hedgehogs

We urgently need to find the best methods for studying hedgehogs. This will help us concentrate our conservation efforts where they are most needed. Jessica is trialling a new method of accurately counting hedgehogs.

How did you come to lead your conservation team?

Growing up in the amazon, I was fascinated by the nature I was surrounded by, but also became concerned by how fragile and unprotected wildlife was. I decided to focus my career on better understanding the dynamics of the natural world in order to protect and enhance wildlife. By being involved in a variety of conservation programs in America, Europe, and Africa with a variety of species, my passion for conservation increased and shaped my career path. My dedication and interest in conservation lead me to do an MSc in Endangered Species Recovery and Conservation and then a PhD on the impact that human activities have on the populations of small mammals.

What has been your biggest challenge so far?

My PhD is by far my biggest challenge! As part of my PhD project, I am using novel methodology that requires continued learning of new analytical tools, some of which have not been widely implemented; therefore, I need to keep updated with the literature and be creative in the way of approaching my data analysis. Many dead ends have been found on the way, but I never give up and try my best until I reach what I am aiming for.

What has been your biggest achievement in the field in the past year?

After three years of extensive fieldwork, data analysis, and discussions with collaborators, I have published my first paper in a peer-review journal. This was achieved thanks to a lot of hard work, persistence, and most importantly, believing in the value of my work.

What would you say to aspiring women who want a future in conservation?

Travel, meet people, visit different places and submerge yourself in different cultures. Understand the world in a better way, so that you can connect with it and feel the necessity to dedicate your life for its protection. You cannot conserve what you don’t know!

View Jessica’s project

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