MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

IAATO names Amanda Lynnes part-time Operations and Communications Assistant

Amanda is a penguin biologist with a long career in Antarctica

The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has announced the appointment of Amanda Lynnes to the part-time position of Operations and Communications Assistant. Amanda is responsible for communicating IAATO’s key messages and will assist in the development of the environmental and operational components of the Association.

 IAATO Executive Director, Kim Crosbie, said, “Her background and experience will help the Association to reach out effectively to internal and external stakeholders ensuring that IAATO continues to be recognized for its high standards and best practices in Antarctic tourism management.”

Amanda’s Antarctic career began in 1996 with the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) as a penguin biologist and field assistant for the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).

Her passion for communicating Antarctic issues led her to take a position as Press Officer in the Press, Public Relations and Education Department at BAS where she enjoyed working with a variety of media and managing events. She has also worked as an ornithologist on an IAATO Member Vessel, at Port Lockroy on the Antarctic Peninsula for BAS and recently as a Project Coordinator for the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust.

Outside of Antarctica, Amanda spent two years with the RSPB developing inspiring wildlife events at busy tourist destinations in the Peak District National Park.

Amanda Lynnes said ‘I’m thrilled and proud to be working for IAATO. I believe that protecting our environment depends largely on helping people enjoy the natural world through education and the opportunity to explore it firsthand. IAATO has made this a reality by showing that Antarctic tourism is a sustainable, safe activity that causes no more than a minor or transitory impact.’

IAATO is a member organization founded in 1991 to advocate, promote and practice safe and environmentally responsible private-sector travel to the Antarctic. IAATO currently has 110 members.