Our team

City Sanctuary staff are employed by the Dunedin City Council and are based in the Parks and Recreation team.

Catherine Bradley

Project Manager

Catherine is our Project Manager and has been leading the City Sanctuary project since it began in 2020. She has a background in habitat restoration, volunteer management, community engagement, and supporting community groups to grow their conservation efforts. Catherine has previously worked for the Department of Conservation, Dunedin City Council, and Waiora Forest Landscapes.

“I never thought I would fall in love with Dunedin but the community, landscape and biodiversity is unexplainably special. I love working with a passionate and caring community who work so hard to protect the important native flora and fauna that we have right here in the City.”

Kate Tanner

Project Coordinator

Kate is our Project Coordinator and has years of conservation experience in Dunedin. She has previously worked for the Halo Project, Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group, the Department of Conservation and the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust. There isn’t a lot Kate doesn’t do: you’ll see her out installing traps, working with volunteers, engaging communities, and planning operations.

“Everyday I wake up and feel blessed that I am able to connect people to nature through the work we do. I am humbled and inspired by the positive changes we are collectively making to support, enhance and better Dunedin’s natural environs. We are so fortunate to live in this amazing part of the world.”

Penny Jacks

Community Ranger

Penny is one of our Community Rangers and has completed a Master’s degree on skinks in Otago. She has previously volunteered and contracted to the Department of Conservation, working with a variety of endemic species such as mokomoko/skinks in the mountains of Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, nesting hoiho/yellow-eyed penguins, and pohowera (banded dotterels).

“I’ve seen first-hand the impact of invasive mammals across a variety of taxa, as well as the success of species once these predators have been removed. I’m excited to be a part of the predator free movement, to help make our city a safe space for endemic species to thrive!”

Emily Peterson

Community Trapping Coordinator

Emily joins the City Sanctuary team from The Valley Project in North East Valley. She is passionate about supporting the community and taking positive local environmental action, and also loves to volunteer. Emily’s role comes from a contract City Sanctuary has with The Valley Project to help residents and volunteers get involved in predator control in Dunedin’s northern suburbs.

“I feel privileged and excited to work alongside the City Sanctuary team and wider community, taking steps to achieve this momentous environmental milestone of a predator free Dunedin!”

Mammalian Corrections Unit (Contractors)

Mammalian Corrections Unit (MCU) is a predator control company based in Te Anau and Dunedin. MCU carries out a broad range of conservation fieldwork in the lower South Island and is City Sanctuary’s key contractor.

The MCU team have helped us design, set up and manage trap lines in urban parks and reserves. They also conduct our seasonal predator monitoring.