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Dr Ian Humphreys has spent 30+ years in the environmental NGO sector, over half of which was as Chief Executive at Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful (KNIB). Prior to this Ian was a Research Fellow at The Queen’s University of Belfast working in agricultural zoology and forestry. He currently works at Buglife as the Senior Conservation Officer in Northern Ireland.
Whilst at KNIB, Ian’s desire to progress environmental education and youth leadership ensured every school in Northern Ireland was registered with the international Eco-Schools programme. Supported by diverse delivery partners, this reflected Ian’s belief that only by working together can real change be achieved. Whilst much of Ian’s work focused on youth and community engagement, he also advocated for systemic change. Working with Northern Ireland’s Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, he initiated climate and outdoor education training for teachers, and worked with the Department for Education and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment to strengthen urgently needed climate education across the curriculum. Ian also established 30 Under 30 Climate Change Makers, a country-based version of NAAEE’s EE 30 Under 30 youth leadership development programme. As a Board member (since 2008) and Vice President for the Foundation for Environmental Education Ian has responsibility for the Education programmes, including Eco-Schools and working towards the UN’s Greening Education Partnership targets. He also sits on the Advisory Group for the Global Environmental Education Partnership. Previous roles include 12 years on the Board of Northern Ireland Environment Link and as a member of the Leadership Council of the All-Island Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Ireland. Ian is a keen ornithologist, licensed ringer/bander and volunteer at Copeland Bird Observatory. |
