As an independent ecological consultancy, we provide innovative expert services promptly and at reasonable rates. We are based in East Devon (near Exeter) but offer nationwide services.
About Richard Green Ecology
Richard Green Ecology Ltd was formed in 2010 by Richard Green BSc (Hons) CEnv MCIEEM. Prior to this Richard worked as a Principal Ecologist/Environmental Scientist for a large multi-functional consultancy (for 9 years) and at the Environment Agency as a Conservation Officer (for 9 years).
We have a wealth and breadth of ecological knowledge. Having worked on both sides of the industry, we have developed a keen understanding of business needs and statutory requirements. Our people skills and customer care ensure that the needs of both the environment and the client can be met, and we have a proven track record of delivering successful and sustainable outcomes.
All of our technical staff are members of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.
Company Statement and Values
To provide expertise and best value through sustainable solutions for clients, where society and the natural environment are respected and enhanced.
- We strive to minimise our, and our clients’ negative impact on the environment and to promote environmental net gain.
- We aim to respect people inside and outside our company.
- We value staff that are ambitious and who want to grow as people and as professionals.
- We endeavour to be industry leading professionals, providing the best service we can whilst maintaining our professional values – we want to be the best at what we do.
- We believe in being accountable.
- We are passionate about wildlife and the environment – it’s why we do this job.
- We have integrity and are consistently open, honest, ethical and genuine.
Meet The team
Richard Green CEnv MCIEEM
Director
Richard is a Chartered Environmentalist with over 30 years’ professional experience in nature conservation and ecological consultancy. Richard has directed ecological inputs to numerous development projects, including major infrastructure, ports, highways, housing, commercial, renewable energy, minerals, conservation and domestic projects. He has provided witness statements and presented ecological evidence at Public Inquiries.
Key Skills Include:
- Ecological Appraisal and Impact Assessment
- Habitats Regulations Assessment for projects and plans
- Habitat and species surveys (protected species licences held for bats (England Levels 3 & 4 and Wales), Bat Mitigation Class Licence for England and HS2, Bat Earned Recognition AL3, hazel dormouse, barn owl, great crested newt, crayfish, badger class licence (CL32 to interfere with setts) and water vole displacement class licence (CL31)
Sophie Duncan
Principal Ecologist
Sophie has a BSc (Hons) in Marine Biology and a MSc in Environmental Consultancy. She is bat specialist, holding Natural England level 3 & 4 survey licences. She manages numerous large scale bat projects, as well as undertaking other ecological surveys and assessments, including Great Crested Newt, for which she is licensed.
Key Skills Include:
- Habitat and species surveys – protected species licences held for bats and Great Crested Newt (England),
- Ecological Appraisal and Impact Assessment
- Ecological Clerk of Works for Bats, Dormouse and Great Crested Newt
- Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) calculations using Defra Metric
Jen Paget ACIEEM
Senior Ecologist
Jen has a BSc with Honours in Environmental Management and over five years’ experience in ecological consultancy, having made a change of career from the financial services sector. She holds protected species survey licences for bats, dormouse and great crested newt. She has worked on numerous projects, undertaking surveys, assessment and project management, including highways, commercial, and domestic projects.
Key Skills Include:
- Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) calculations and habitat condition assessment
- Habitat and species surveys – protected species licence held for bats, dormouse and great crested newt (England)
- Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- Ecological mitigation design
- Level 4 Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC)
- Modular River Physical (MoRPh) River Condition Assessment certificate
- Level 2 Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue certificate (City & Guilds Award)
- Ecological Clerk of Works
Heather Gardiner ACIEEM
Senior Ecologist
Heather has a BSc (Hons) in Ecology and Environment and is an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). She has over seven years’ experience in ecological consultancy, working on and managing numerous projects, including commercial (primarily within the minerals industry) and domestic projects, for habitats and species, such as great crested newts, reptiles, dormice, badgers and bats.
Key Skills Include:
- Habitat and species surveys (Level 3 Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) and protected species licences held for bats (Level 2, England), great crested newts (England) and dormice (England and Wales))
- Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) calculations and habitat condition assessment
- Habitat mapping and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- Ecological Appraisal, Impact Assessment, Environmental Statements and Habitats Regulations Assessments
- Ecological Clerk of Works
Katy Perry
Senior Ecologist
Katy has a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences (Environmental Science). Working in ecology for over eight years, she holds protected species survey licences for great crested newts, dormice and bats (Level 2). She has worked on a variety of projects, including large infrastructure, highways and residential properties. She is experienced in project management, undertaking and designing surveys, and compiling mitigation licences for bats, great crested newts and badgers, working with clients to optimise outcomes for both them and wildlife.
Key Skills Include:
- Habitat and species surveys – protected species licences held for bats (Level 2 NE and NRW), dormice (England) and great crested newt (England),
- Ecological Appraisal and Impact Assessment
- Ecological Clerk of Works
- Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) calculations using Statutory Metric
- Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- Bat sound analysis
Emily Phillips
Ecologist
Emily has a BSc (Hons) in Ecology, Conservation and Environment and over three years’ experience in ecological consultancy. She holds protected species licences for bats (Level 1), great crested newt and dormouse. She has experience of managing ecology on a range of different projects, from highways to house extensions, undertaking ecological surveys, impact assessments and advising on ecological mitigation.
Key Skills Include:
- UK Habitat Classification habitat surveys
- Species surveys – NE protected species licences held for bats (Level 1), great crested newt and dormouse
- Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) calculations using Statutory Metric and habitat condition assessments
- Modular River Physical (MoRPh) River Condition Assessment certificate
- Level 2 Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue certificate (City & Guilds Award)
- Habitat mapping and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- Ecological clerk of works
Phil Wilson
Ecologist
Phil has a BSc (1st Class Hons) in Zoology. He has previously worked as a Conservation Ranger, managing volunteers and conducting surveys for a range of species. Phil is a self-confessed nature nerd, with a particular interest in birds (being a trainee ringer) and invertebrates, but is also interested in anything ecological. He is competent in undertaking habitat and protected species surveys, report writing and undertaking ecological clerk of work duties.
Key Skills Include:
- Phase 1/UK Habitat Classification habitat surveys
- Species surveys, including birds, moths, bats, GCN, dormice, badger & reptiles
- Bat sound analysis
- Level 2 Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue certificate (City & Guilds Award)
- Level 4 Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC)
- Habitat mapping and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- Ecological clerk of works
Sam Goodier-Gibson
Ecologist
Sam has a BSc (Hons) in Animal Behaviour and Welfare. Sam has a keen interest in wildlife, and in particular bats. Sam assists with arranging and undertaking surveys and analysis of bat survey data.
Key Skills Include:
- Species surveys including bats, dormouse, great crested newt, reptile and badger
- Bat emergence and activity surveys
- Bat sound analysis
- Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) calculations using Statutory Metric
- Habitat mapping and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- Phase 1/UK Habitat Classification survey
- Ecological clerk of works
Carly Benson
Assistant Ecologist
Carly has a BSc (Hons) in Zoology and joined Richard Green Ecology after changing career from managing a conservation charity. Carly has over twelve years of experience managing staff, animals and volunteers and has specialised in mammals throughout her career. She has a keen interest in all things people and wildlife and is now looking forward to working on new projects and gaining protected species licences.
Key Skills Include:
- Survey organisation and logistics
- Bat emergence and activity surveys
- Bat sound analysis
- Infra-red video analysis
- Reptile surveys
- Dormouse surveys
Catherine Mitson
Assistant Ecologist
Catherine has a BSc (Hons) in Conservation Biology and Ecology (1st) and completed a Masters by Research in Biological Sciences, focusing on the development of an environmental DNA methodology to survey for the rare bog hoverfly Eristalis cryptarum on Dartmoor. Catherine previously worked in publishing as an Assistant Editor for two UK-based ecological and natural history magazines. She has a keen interest in invertebrates and birds and looks forward to developing her ecological skills.
Key Skills Include:
- Bat emergence and activity surveys
- Species surveys including dormouse and reptile
- Bat sound analysis
- Infra-red video analysis
- Habitat mapping and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- Ecological clerk of works
Sam Harvey
Assistant Ecologist
Sam has a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Management and Sustainability and a MSc in Environmental Consultancy, and previously worked in nature conservation on the Norfolk Broads. Sam is trained in surveying great crested newts, otters and dormice. In his free time, Sam volunteers as a WeBS counter for the BTO and hikes across Dartmoor with friends.
Key Skills Include:
- GIS mapping
- Reptile, great crested newt and dormouse surveys
- Bat emergence and transect surveys
- Infra-red video analysis
Jen Earl
Assistant Ecologist
Jen has a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences (1st) and is a Qualifying member of CIEEM. She has undertaken volunteer work with bats, butterflies and birds, and holds a dormouse licence. Jen joins us after a complete career change from Clinical Coding within the NHS and is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities working within ecological consultancy will bring. In her spare time Jen enjoys all things wildlife, travel, cycling and working on her allotment.
Key Skills Include:
- Bat emergence and activity surveys
- Species surveys including birds, dormouse and reptile
- Bat sound analysis
- Infra-red video analysis
- Habitat mapping and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- Ecological clerk of works
Tom Watts
Assistant Ecologist
Tom has a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences and an MSc in Applied Ecology and Conservation. Tom holds a Great Crested Newt Survey Licence (Level 1) and also has a keen interest for mammals where he has been involved in volunteering for a bat ambulance service to recuse and rehabilitate injured bats. Tom has recently moved to Devon, from a consultancy based in Essex, where he has 2 years’ experience. His previous role has given him experience providing ecological services, surveys, and design advice for public sector development, as well as consultee comments on planning applications in the private sector.
Nicki Jones
Office Manager
Nicki has over 23 years experience in Office Management from various industries including banking, finance and Estate planning. Nicki has experience in running companies offices efficiently and effectively and is an asset to our ever growing and dynamic team.
Gabriella Cameron
Business Development
With 30 years of experience in business development and project management, Gabriella has worked with renowned organisations including the European Union, Avis Europe, Gillette, and Fat Face, delivering large-scale projects and streamlining business processes. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with her family. Gabriella is passionate about nature, enjoys reading, and cooking fresh, wholesome meals.
Seasonal Bat Survey Assistants
We employ several seasonal bat surveyors to assist with bat emergence surveys during the summer months.
Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
Staff are individual members of CIEEM
Members of CIEEM must abide by the CIEEM Code of Professional Conduct.