Ben Gardner

18 July 2022

Ecology by Design, ecological survey, ecological consultant, Biodiversity

Everything you need to know about biodiversity net gain

Ben Gardner

18 July 2022

Ecology by Design, ecological survey, ecological consultant, Biodiversity

Everything you need to know about biodiversity net gain

Planning policy encourages developers and land managers to leave the biodiversity of the site in a better state than it was before. Historically, this has been assessed using solely professional judgement. Ecology by Design can help you demonstrate biodiversity net gain clearly, transparently and quantitatively using a biodiversity metric.

Ben Gardner

4 May 2021

training, Ecology by Design, ecological survey

Interns join us for 2021

Ben Gardner

4 May 2021

training, Ecology by Design, ecological survey

During April three interns joined us from the MSc in Species Identification and Survey Skills course at the University of Reading. Our blog will be turned over to the three of them for a monthly post talking about their experiences and the skills they gain working with us.

Ben Gardner

28 March 2021

Biodiversity, ecological consultancy, ecological survey, Ecology by Design

Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Guide

Ben Gardner

28 March 2021

Biodiversity, ecological consultancy, ecological survey, Ecology by Design

A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) comprises a rapid assessment to identify features of ecological interest on site or within the vicinity of the site in order to understand the impacts arising from a proposed project.

Ben Gardner

20 July 2020

Ecology by Design, ecological survey, ecological consultancy, ecological consultant

Student Placement - June

Ben Gardner

20 July 2020

Ecology by Design, ecological survey, ecological consultancy, ecological consultant

Megan is completing an internship as part of my MSc in Species Identification and Survey Skills at Reading University. June has been her busiest month yet with lots of bat surveys and reptile work.

Ben Gardner

3 March 2020

ecological consultancy, ecological survey, Ecology by Design, ecological consultant, Bat survey, bird survey

What is an Ecological Survey?

Ben Gardner

3 March 2020

ecological consultancy, ecological survey, Ecology by Design, ecological consultant, Bat survey, bird survey

As experts and providers of ecological surveys, Ecology by Design is happy to provide an ultimate guide to what an ecology survey is, that encompasses everything you may need to know about conducting an ecology survey, including the reasons behind them, the features and stages involved, and the end results.

Ben Gardner

10 February 2020

Ecology by Design, ecological survey, mitigation

Roman snails are amongst us

Ben Gardner

10 February 2020

Ecology by Design, ecological survey, mitigation

Roman snails were introduced to England during the roman period and are now a protected species. Europes largest land snail can be surveyed for by professional ecologists such as Ecology by Design.

Ben Gardner

3 February 2020

reptile survey, mitigation, Guidance, Ecology by Design, ecological survey

What is a Reptile Survey? Ecology Survey Guidelines

Ben Gardner

3 February 2020

reptile survey, mitigation, Guidance, Ecology by Design, ecological survey

What is a Reptile Survey? Ecology Survey Guidelines

For any individual who is working on a new development, they will likely need to consider any environmental impact. Reptiles in the UK are protected and may require consideration.

Ben Gardner

20 January 2020

ecological consultancy, ecological survey, Ecology by Design, mitigation

Ecology Survey Guidelines- Great Crested Newt Survey

Ben Gardner

20 January 2020

ecological consultancy, ecological survey, Ecology by Design, mitigation

Ecology Survey Guidelines- Great Crested Newt Survey

For anyone working on new development, developers in England will need to be aware of the potential environmental impact it could have on native protected species such as The Great Crested Newt.

Ben Gardner

3 September 2019

ecological survey, Ecology by Design, Bat survey, reptile survey, mitigation

July - Snakes, lizards and all things reptilian

Ben Gardner

3 September 2019

ecological survey, Ecology by Design, Bat survey, reptile survey, mitigation

July - Snakes, lizards and all things reptilian

Beth has spent a great deal of time working with reptiles this month, this year we have had projects with all six species of reptile occurring in the UK.

Ben Gardner

4 June 2019

ecological survey, Bat survey, ecological consultancy, Ecology by Design

May - Adder handling, GCN training and lots of Bats!

Ben Gardner

4 June 2019

ecological survey, Bat survey, ecological consultancy, Ecology by Design

May - Adder handling, GCN training and lots of Bats!

Beth our MSc student continues her internship with adder handling, newt training and lots of bat work.

Ben Gardner

5 November 2018

Ecology by Design, ecological survey

Getting to grips with grapnels

Ben Gardner

5 November 2018

Ecology by Design, ecological survey

Ecologist Lindsay Stronge recently attended a Species Recovery Trust training course on identifying aquatic plants.

Ben Gardner

19 October 2018

Bat survey, Ecology by Design, ecological survey, ecological consultant, ecological consultancy

Advice, a Violet Beetle and a Lady in Blue

Ben Gardner

19 October 2018

Bat survey, Ecology by Design, ecological survey, ecological consultant, ecological consultancy

Advice, a Violet Beetle and a Lady in Blue

Hi, my name is Joseph and I’m a student studying MSc Species Identification and Survey Skills at the University of Reading. I’m currently on my placement at Ecology by Design and have decided to write a blog to document my progress.

Ben Gardner

20 June 2018

Bat survey, Ecology by Design, ecological survey, training

Have I Got Newts for You...

Ben Gardner

20 June 2018

Bat survey, Ecology by Design, ecological survey, training

Hi, my name is Joseph and I’m a student studying MSc Species Identification and Survey Skills at the University of Reading. I’m currently on my placement at Ecology by Design and have decided to write a blog to document my progress.

Ben Gardner

26 April 2016

ecological survey, ecological consultancy, Guidance

New Water Vole Mitigation Handbook

Ben Gardner

26 April 2016

ecological survey, ecological consultancy, Guidance

New Water Vole Mitigation Handbook published by The Mammal Society provides updated survey and mitigation recommendations for the species when submitting for planning or for other construction activies.

Ben Gardner

6 March 2015

ecological consultancy, ecological survey, Ecology by Design, innovation, technology

Environmental DNA (eDNA) revolutionising ecology

Ben Gardner

6 March 2015

ecological consultancy, ecological survey, Ecology by Design, innovation, technology

Environmental DNA (eDNA) revolutionising ecology

Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is a new method for great crested newt monitoring in water bodies.

Ben Gardner

6 February 2015

ecological survey

Great Crested Newt Survey FAQ

Ben Gardner

6 February 2015

ecological survey

It is that time of year again when ecologists emerge from hibernation and look to plan surveys for the coming season. The first milestone are Great Crested Newts with the survey season spread between mid-March and mid-June.