The Consultancy Services Team is part of the Avon Wildlife Trust and has been established to provide high quality ecology services to a range of clients including local authorities, public bodies, statutory agencies, utility companies, individuals and private developers.

Dormouse monitoring

Services Provided

The Consultancy Services Team is able to provide a broad range of ecological advice. Our core services include :

• Land management - ecological survey, preparation of management plans and conservation advice.
• Habitats - advice in relation to the creation, restoration and management of wildlife habitats and areas such as ponds, hedgerows, orchards, wildflower meadows and gardens.
• Protected species - surveys to identify whether species are present or to determine population sizes and ongoing monitoring and mitigation advice.
• Biodiversity Benchmark - preparation and audit under the Wildlife Trust’s Biodiversity Benchmark Scheme, the first recognised scheme to award an organisation for its continual biodiversity protection and enhancement of land.
• Practical planning advice - ecological advice and consultation for development projects in the context of the planning system.
• Community involvement - training courses and community events such as guided site visits and wildflower walks.
• Environmental legislation - advice and consultation to assist organisations in meeting their obligations under environmental legislation.

What makes us different?

Water vole survey

• We are the leading organisation working for wildlife and biodiversity in the West of England with membership of almost 16,000.
• We have excellent working relationships with public authorities, landowners, businesses and local people.
• We work closely with stakeholders such as Natural England, the local environmental records office and local authorities.
• We have an established track record of preparing site management plans.
• We are a respected source of expertise on local wildlife, environmental issues and ecology advice.
• We have excellent experience of promoting public understanding and involvement with wildlife issues.
• We understand the social implications of our work and where possible we seek to engage with local community groups.

Clients

Veteran tree on arable land

Set out below are brief details of a number of projects that we have recently been involved with or are currently working on to demonstrate the range of services which we provide :

• Northern Slopes Initiative [2007]
  Preparation of Management Plans for three sites in south Bristol for a local Community Group
• Environ UK Ltd [2007]
  Water vole and great crested newt surveys at land owned by Severnside Distribution
• West of England Partnership [2007]
  Green Infrastructure study for the West of England
• May Gurney Integrated Services plc [2007]
  Ecology survey for a sewer improvement scheme working with Cornwall Environmental Consultants Ltd
• Friends of Old Sneed Park Nature Reserve [2007]
  Preparation of a management plan for the Reserve
• Yate Town Council [2007]
  Preparation of a management plan for Kingsgate Park Nature Reserve
• Hanham Abbotts Parish Council [2007]
  Preparation of a pond management plan
• South Gloucestershire Council [2006]
  BREEAM Assessment for Deers Wood Primary School.