CHOOSING AN ECOLOGIST

With so many individuals and organisations offering their services as ecologists these days, making a choice of whom to use can be tricky – and expensive if you get it wrong. As one of the oldest ecological consultancy forms in the UK, here are a few tips – not necessarily exhaustive. 

• Be sure you know what you need. Not everyone offering ecology as a service may professional ecological scientists. A good many may be better described as geographers, landscapers, general naturalists or similar. This is not to say these are not excellent in their field, but they may not be the best choice as independent and objective advisors on ecological matters relating to planning. 

• Be wary if charges look temptingly cheap. This may be because of using voluntary or semi-voluntary labour, or not being fully aware of, and thus not complying with, the many standards and regulations that must be observed to deliver clients a high quality service in the professional marketplace.

• Check that whoever you choose has relevant higher degrees, experience and current CPD records. They, or their firm should be a member of a relevant professional body and should be fully conversant with current and pending wildlife and biodiversity regulations, and standards, which are constantly changing. Make sure the skills you need for your project are available (environmental science, statistics, biology, botany, zoology, entomology, environmental and planning law, ecotoxicology, biodiversity metrics, Appropriate computer, data analysis, cartographic, illustrative and writing skills in excellent English are essential. 

• Obtain references and reliable recommendations.

• Ensure appointees are fully insured, including adequate professional indemnity.

• Verify that they have adequate administrative and office/communications backup.

• Run a credit check and ask for a sample report .

• Ensure the person/firm you choose is truly independent (not affiliated to a political interest or campaigning group). They should also offer quality assurance and a clear health & safety/risk assessment policy.

• Check that any required licences for working with legally protected species are in place and up to date.          

Betts Ecology meet all the above and take a pride in delivering a fully independent professional service, based on extensive experience and underpinned by rigorous, objective, ecological science.

 © Betts Ecology