About Richard Green Ecology

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.

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.
About Us - Richard Green Ecology Logo

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

Senior 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 experience as a freelance assistant ecologist, having made a change of career from the financial services sector. She holds protected species survey licences for dormouse and great crested newt and is working towards her bat licence. She has worked on numerous projects, undertaking surveys, assessment and project management, including highways, commercial, and domestic projects.

Key skills include:

  • Habitat and species surveys – protected species licence held for dormouse and great crested newt (England))
  • Ecological Clerk of Works
  • Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
  • Bat sound analysis
  • Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) calculations using current Defra Metric

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 five years’ experience in ecological consultancy, working on and managing numerous projects, primarily within the minerals industry, for habitats and species, including great crested newts, reptiles, dormice, badgers and bats.

Key Skills Include:

  • Habitat and species surveys (Level 3 Field Identification Skills Certificate and protected species licences held for great crested newts (England) and dormice (England and Wales))
  • Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
  • Ecological Appraisal and Impact Assessment
  • Ecological Clerk of Works

Emily Phillips

Ecologist

Emily has a BSc (1st Class Hons) in Ecology, Conservation and Environment. She holds a great crested newt survey licence and has experience of managing ecology on a range of different projects, from county road schemes to house extensions. She is competent in undertaking habitat and protected species surveys, report writing, biodiversity net gain and BREEAM ecology assessments as well as undertaking ecological clerk of work duties

Key Skills Include:

  • Phase 1/UK Habs habitat surveys
  • Species surveys, including bats, GCN (NE licensed), dormice, badger, beaver, water vole & reptiles
  • Bat sound analysis
  • Habitat mapping and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
  • Ecological clerk of works
  • Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) calculations using Defra Metric
  • BREEAM ecology assessments

Phil Wilson

Assistant 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 Habs habitat surveys
  • Species surveys, including birds, moths, bats, GCN, dormice, badger & reptiles
  • Bat sound analysis
  • Habitat mapping and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
  • Ecological clerk of works

Sam Goodier-Gibson

Sam Goodier-Gibson

Assistant Ecologist

Sam assists with arranging and undertaking surveys and analysis of bat survey data.

Key Skills Include:

  • Survey organisation and logistics
  • Bat emergence and activity surveys
  • Bat sound analysis
  • Infra-red video analysis
  • Reptile surveys
  • Dormouse surveys
  • Great crested newt surveys
  • Ecological watching brief work

Carly Benson

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.

Annabel Armstrong

Assistant Ecologist

Annabel has a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences (1st). Having graduated last summer, she is excited to begin her first season as an Assistant Ecologist and work towards gaining protected species licences. From conducting her dissertation on bat activity above vineyards in England and completing a fieldwork internship investigating pest suppression services provided by UK bats, she has comprehensive knowledge of bat ecology and hands-on experience in advanced bat survey techniques.

Key skills include:

  • Bat activity surveys
  • Bat sound analysis
  • Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

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.

Nicki Jones

Office Manager

Nicki has 23 years experience in Office Management from various industries including banking, finance and Estate planning. Running companies offices efficiently and effectively and will be an asset to our ever growing and dynamic team.

Seasonal Vacancies 2019

Seasonal Bat Survey Assistants

We employ several seasonal bat surveyors to assist with bat emergence surveys during the summer months.

CIEEMChartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management

Staff are individual members of CIEEM

Members of CIEEM must abide by the CIEEM Code of Professional Conduct.

We Are Qualified

Highly experienced, multi-disciplinary team of suitably qualified ecologists with protected species licences for England and Wales.

We Are Insured

We hold professional indemnity, public and products liability and employer’s liability insurance.

We Are Safe

CSCS card holders, Confined Space, Tree Climbing & Aerial Rescue, First Aid trained.