Who we are
A team of ecologists and environmental scientists working at the intersection of development and conservation.
We started in 2004 with a simple question: could development projects actually improve local ecosystems rather than merely minimise damage?
Twenty-two years later, we've worked on over 340 projects across the UK. From urban brownfield regeneration to rural estate management, from coastal habitat creation to post-industrial rewilding. Each project taught us something new about the relationship between human activity and ecological health.
Our approach is grounded in evidence but shaped by experience. We've seen what works in chalk grassland versus clay soil. We understand the difference between creating habitat for pollinators in Cornwall versus Cumbria. We know that regulatory compliance is the baseline, not the goal.
Our philosophy
Nature doesn't need us to be perfect. It needs us to be intentional. Every site has constraints – budget, timeline, existing uses, stakeholder requirements. Our job isn't to ignore these realities but to find solutions within them.
We believe the best environmental outcomes happen when ecological thinking is embedded early in project planning, not bolted on at the end for compliance. When habitat creation is seen as infrastructure, not amenity. When biodiversity net gain becomes an opportunity for innovation rather than a regulatory burden.
Our team
Dr. Rachel Thornbury
Lead EcologistRachel specialises in habitat restoration and protected species management. With a PhD in Conservation Biology from Durham University, she's led biodiversity assessments for sites ranging from 2 to 400 hectares. Her particular expertise lies in creating functional ecological corridors within fragmented landscapes.
James Kettlewell
Environmental ConsultantJames brings fifteen years of experience in environmental impact assessment and planning support. His background in both ecology and land management gives him a practical understanding of how restoration plans work in the real world, particularly on working agricultural land.
Dr. Imogen Carstairs
Carbon & Climate SpecialistImogen's research focus is carbon sequestration through nature-based solutions. She develops strategies that integrate woodland creation, peatland restoration, and soil management to deliver measurable climate benefits alongside biodiversity gains.
Thomas Wardley
Senior Field SurveyorThomas leads our protected species surveys and field assessments. His skills in bat detection, newt surveying, and botanical identification are matched by his ability to work efficiently within tight project timelines and planning constraints.
How we approach projects
We start by understanding context. Not just the site itself, but the wider landscape it sits within. What are the existing ecological assets? What's the local character? What species are present or could realistically colonise? What are the hydrological patterns, soil conditions, aspect?
Then we look at constraints and opportunities. Budget limits, planning requirements, existing uses, stakeholder concerns. These aren't obstacles – they're design parameters. The best solutions emerge when we work with constraints rather than against them.
Our recommendations are specific and actionable. We don't write reports that sit on shelves. We provide implementation-ready guidance with realistic timelines, clear specifications, and ongoing support through delivery.
Why we do this work
Because it matters. Every hectare of functioning habitat, every restored wetland, every newly created woodland contributes to resilience – ecological, but also social and economic. These aren't separate concerns.
The UK has lost 97% of its wildflower meadows since the 1930s. Insect populations have crashed. Climate patterns are shifting. But we've also seen degraded sites transform into thriving ecosystems. We've watched protected species return to landscapes they'd abandoned. We've seen how well-designed habitat can become a development's greatest asset.
That's what drives us. Not the idea of pristine wilderness – that's gone – but the possibility of creating functional, resilient, biodiverse landscapes that work for both people and nature.