Biocensus Profile - Brochure

Experts in EcologyYour Contact:Dr Tim Hounsomep. 0845 459 4810e. tim.hounsome@biocensus.co.ukw. www.biocensus.co.ukExperts in ecologybiocensusBiocensus has been providing advice and support to clients on ecological issues since 2002. We have delivered a wide range of successful services including: protected species surveys, Ecological Impact Assessments, practical mitigation, compensation, monitoring, research and training.Ecology is a term that is widely misunderstood and often misused. The word Ecology is often associated with the practice of tree-hugging rather than the objective scientific discipline that it is. It’s no surprise, then, that in a commercial context, clients can sometimes feel that the project ecologist might be part of the problem and not the solution.It doesn’t have to be like that. Ecology, in reality, has nothing to do with deep green philosophy or organic yoghurt (whatever you might have heard). It is quite simply the study of inter-relationships between organisms and the environment. As professional ecologists, our job is to make sense of very complicated natural systems, to predict what the effects might be of certain actions, and, where appropriate, devise measures to reduce any negative effects to acceptable levels.Yes, in general, most professional ecologists are interested in wildlife and want to conserve natural resources. But you might say that we care so you don’t have to. We aren’t here to make you care about badgers or bats, but we are here to make sure your business or project identifies any ecological risks and works out how to manage them. Doing business in a way that benefits the environment necessarily makes sound commercial sense: complying with legal and policy requirements; developing positive relationships with stakeholders; protecting your brand and licence to operate; even saving budget and programme time. That’s what a good ecologist can help you with. Yes, we do spend a lot of time in wellies counting newts or bats, but we also partner with our clients to understand their drivers and help them to achieve their objectives in a sustainable way. We hope we will have the opportunity to do so with you.Why Ecology?We support our clients in the delivery of sustainable development through the provision of pragmatic and expert advice on ecology.IntroductionEcologists can at times hold up development. The projects that Biocensus have worked on enabled us to see how they solved issues in a way that allowed the development to progress on schedule. This pragmatic approach means we ensure we are legally compliant whilst not compromising our com-mercial objectivesMike Harrington, Project Manager, Maclaren, Construction CompanyOur ClientsWhen you commission ecologists, it’s reassuring to know they are recognised as an expert whose opinions will carry weight. However it isn’t exactly environmentally sustainable or cost-effective to send experts all over the country to count birds or move newts. Instead, we use our network of trusted specialist suppliers. These qualified & experienced ecologists act as our local agents using survey protocols we design. Our in-house expert staff quality assure all survey outputs and write reports that reflect our clients’ needs. We will then provide support and on-going advice.Many environmental consultancies offer skilled and experienced staff. Our core team at Biocensus includes some of the most highly-qualified and experienced ecologists in Britain. This means that when you encounter an ecological issue on your site, the chances are, we will have dealt with it before. All Biocensus reports are subject to in-depth review by one of our expertdirectors, so our clients can rest assured that this level of knowledge is applied to each and every project.Skills & ExperienceWe provide a UK wide network of local expertsWhat makes us different?DirectorsMany of our competitors say that they are responsive to clients’ needs. At Biocensus we have a network of trusted and accredited local ecologists that we can mobilise at short notice anywhere in the UK. This helps our clients avoid costly delays through the discovery of unexpected ecological constraints on their sites. Our network approach provides clients with a cost-effective local service.Our ResponsivenessMost ecological consultancies will attempt to work to recognised “best practice”. All of our ecological staff and directors are Members or Fellows of CIEEM and work to their code of professional practice. We are all experienced scientists originally from research backgrounds and we have been involved in developing best practice in survey and assessment in our fields.Quality Assurance is at the heart of what we do – the quality of our network is critical to us. Each ecologist has been through a vigorous vetting process. We ensure that standard procedures are followed out in the field and that onsite spot checks are routinely undertaken.Our Recognised ExpertiseAs a successful and growing company in a highly competitive market place, it is essential when we have identified potential new sites that we perform the relevant due diligence quickly and effectively. Biocensus provide us with all the ecological advice and support we require to make informed purchasing and development decisions, whilst demonstrating our commitment to the environment.Richard Parsons, Acquisition Project Manager, Greene King, The Leading Pub Retailerand Brewer in the UKTim is a highly experienced ecologist with extensive experience in surveying, monitoring and mitigation for a range of species, and a proven track record in ecological impact assessment. He has a strong background in research, with expertise in the design of ecological monitoring programmes.Tim has managed a variety of large-scale projects, coordinating teams of specialist ecologists on development and biodiversity projects and has provided advice to government departments. He also has expertise in the management of monitoring schemes for biodiversity action plans (BAPs) used by a range of global companies.Dr Tim Hounsome (Managing Director)Stephanie has a wealth of experience in the leadership of environmental consultancies. She was co-founder of Cresswell Associates, managing its growth to become one of the largest ecological consultancies in the UK and subsequently Global Environment Leader for Hyder Consulting. Since 2013 she has been a Senior Partner at Environmental Resources Management (ERM), taking the lead on infrastructure projects in the Impact Assessment and Planning practice. She is a mammal ecologist and an expert in bats. Over the last 20 years she has practised as an environmental impact assessor and sustainability consultant for major infrastructure projects including the M6 Toll, Channel Tunnel Rail Link, Hinkley Nuclear Power Station decommissioning and Milford Haven to Tirley Gas Pipeline. Recently she has been advising National Grid on the appraisal process for capital projects. Stephanie is a Chartered Environmentalist, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management and of the Institute of Directors, and recipient of the Mammal Society medal in recognition of her contribution to mammal ecology.Dr Stephanie Wray (Chair of the Board)Richard is Head of Conservation Science at the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, an international wildlife conservation charity and Co-Chair of the Species Survival Commission’s Small Mammal Specialist Group, which advises the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on the status of over 2700 mammal species.He has over ten years of experience in biodiversity conservation research and has published widely on endangered species assessment and monitoring.In his role as Head of Conservation Science at Durrell, he manages research that underpins conservation efforts on a wide range of globally threatened species in places such asMadagascar, the Caribbean and Pacific. At Biocensus he heads up our corporate biodiversity assessment services and tools.Dr Richard Young (Director)We chose Biocensus as a supplier of ecological solutions due to the highlevel of expertise, flexible approach and good communication, which theycan deliver using local resources. This complements our corporate ethos ofsustainable delivery of services.Dr Simon Pickering, Senior Ecologist, Ecotricity. The World’s first green electricity companyCase StudiesWe are active in the following market sectors: Transport• Highways• Rail• Sustainable transport networks• Ports and Harbours• AirportsProperty and Development• Housing• Commercial / industrial developments• Health• EducationWe provide the following range of services. • Desk Studies• Initial walkover surveys• Phase 1, Extended Phase 1 and protected species surveys• Detailed surveys for target species• Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA)• Habitats Regulations Assessment• Design and implementation of ecological mitigation and compensation• On-site supervision and ecological clerk of works• Post-construction audit and monitoring• Expert Witness for Public Inquiry, Hearing or Crown Court• Ecology assessments for BREEAM and Code for Sustainable Homes• Corporate biodiversity risk and opportunity assessments • TrainingServicesMarketsWe have worked closely with Biocensus for many years, and have always been impressed with their level of expertise and professionalism. This, combined with their responsiveness and pragmatism, means that we enjoy working with them and very much appreciate the benefits they bring to our projects.Jon Davies, Technical Director, Hyder Cresswell (Environmental Consultants)Scheme value circa £200m Value to Biocensus £300k• The Environment Partnership (TEP) is a multi-disciplinary environmental consultancy. • Biocensus were commissioned to provide a large team of surveyors for a suite of protected species surveys for the Hinkley C connection scheme, along a route of over 60km. • The project was delivered on budget within a tight timescale.The Environment Partnership. Protected Species Surveys. Hinkley Point Connection Scheme.Value to Biocensus = £80,000• Ecotricity is a rapidly-growing, green energy production and supply company. They have installed over 50 wind turbines at UK-wide locations, and have ambitious plans for future developments.• Ecotricity are continually considering a large number of potential sites for wind turbine construction, which they need to rapidly screen for potential ecological constraints. • They commissioned Biocensus to provide ecological advice on several proposed wind turbine developments: from single turbines to large ‘wind-parks’ of 15 or more, at sites from Cornwall to Scotland. We used local ecologists drawn from our network of specialists to keep the cost to our client down, and to minimise our carbon footprint. Our ecologists carried out general Phase one habitat assessments, and surveys for protected species such as great crested newts and bats, developing mitigation plans as necessary and so contributing to successful planning applications.Ecotricity. Wind Parks. Throughout the UK.Value to Biocensus = £100,000• Wessex Water is the regional water company for the south west of England, and owns hundreds of treatment works, pumping stations and large tracts of land. The company has a stated commitment to conserve and enhance biodiversity and environmental integrity across the region and has incorporated a Biodiversity Action Plan into their corporate structure. The plan requires that information be gathered on the diversity and abundance of wildlife on their sites, and how this can be safeguarded and enhanced. • Biocensus were contracted to carry out ornithological assessments at nine sites. • We provided advice on how to improve habitats for threatened and declining bird species such as the marsh tit. We are continuing to monitor bird populations at the sites, so that Wessex Water can measure the success of these improvements.Wessex Water. Biodiversity Action Plan. South west EnglandPower Generation & Transmission• Onshore wind• Offshore wind• Oil and Gas• Coal• Power NetworksPublic Sector• Central Government Departments and Agencies• Local GovernmentUtilities• Electricity transmission and distribution• Gas transmission and distribution • WaterIn order to develop a Corporate Biodiversity tool as part of our CSR package we needed an affiliate organisation that retained a very high level of knowledge and expertise in the field of biodiversity.Biocensus have proven to be the ideal partner in this endeavour.Mark Line, Executive Chairman, Two Tomorrows, International Corporate Sustainability AgencyYour Contact:Dr Tim Hounsomep. 0845 459 4810e. tim.hounsome@biocensus.co.ukw. www.biocensus.co.uk