Michael Brooks

John Day Building: Rm 2.04.2

Michael earned his National Diploma in Nature Conservation from Cape Technikon before joining SANParks in 1999. During his tenure, he was first stationed as a student at the Cape Peninsula National Park and later served as a Section Ranger at Agulhas National Park until 2001. Following this, he established a computer consultancy in the Bredasdorp area, providing technical services to the local farming community.

He has contributed to the development of monitoring software for conservation initiatives, including Working for Water and Ukuvuka, as well as management support tools for farmers.

Michael’s expertise in software and database solutions began at the Animal Demography Unit, where he played a key role in designing and implementing systems. In 2018, he transitioned to the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, where he expanded his work to include the development and maintenance of websites supporting multiple research projects.

Since 2022, he has served as Chief Technical Officer, a role shared between the FitzPatrick Institute and the Department of Biological Sciences. In this capacity, he has taken on a broad range of responsibilities beyond IT, while continuing to oversee the management of systems supporting major initiatives such as the South African Bird Atlas Project 2 (SABAP2), Coordinated Avifaunal Roadcounts (CAR), Coordinated Waterbird Counts (CWAC), Birds in Reserves Project (BIRP), SAFRING, and several other projects.