Staff

Paul graduated with a degree in Environmental Biology from Reading University. He is a competent ecological surveyor with over 20 years experience in ecology survey and mitigation design.

His main area of expertise is in undertaking bat surveys, national vegetation classification, habitat surveys and preliminary ecological appraisals, and as a wind turbine and windfarm specialist. He holds licences to disturb bats, great crested newts, dormice and barn owl.

Connect with Paul on Linkedin.

Cari graduated with a degree in Biology from Cardiff University. She is responsible for the day-to-day management of Acer Ecology. This includes HR, business development, credit control, training and safety. As a working ecologist, she also undertakes ecological surveys when time permits. Cari also has fifteen years of teaching experience at Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 and leads on our environmental education work and ecological training provision. Connect with Cari on Linkedin.

Rory is an Environmental Geoscience graduate of Cardiff University, with over 5 years of professional experience. He is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (MCIEEM), and possesses English and Welsh survey licences for bats and great crested newts, along with a barn owl nest inspection licence from Natural England, and a CSCS card as a ‘Professionally Qualified Person’.

Rory specialises in ornithological and botanical surveys, but has a broad range of ecological survey experience, including undertaking extended phase 1 habitat surveys and protected species surveys, hedgerow surveys, ECoW and carrying out CSH and BREEAM assessments. Connect with Rory on Linkedin.

Alastair has an MSc in Ecological Consultancy from Newcastle University. He previously volunteered with a red squirrel conservation group and carried out bat and great crested newt surveys in Northumberland. He holds bat and great crested newt licences in England and Wales and has three years professional experience in undertaking a range of protected species and botanical surveys including, reptile and great crested newt translocations, badger surveys and Phase 1 habitat surveys. Alastair has worked on several nationally important rail, road and energy infrastructure projects. He holds CSCS and Personal Track Safety (PTS) cards. Connect with Alastair on Linkedin.

Rebecca graduated with 2:1 in BSc in Zoology from Cardiff University in 2017. She is currently undertaking training with Acer Ecology in bat, bird and reptile ecology and survey techniques as a part of Acer Ecology’s graduate scheme. She has volunteered for the RSPB, Wildlife Trust, BTO and the Little Fireface Project.

Mell has a Business degree and is currently studying for her second degree in Environmental Science on a part time basis. She is responsible for co-ordination of office based functions, finance and customer relations and is vital to the smooth running of Acer Ecology! She has undertaken training with Acer Ecology in bat, reptile and GCN ecology and survey techniques, assisting with ecological surveying when time permits.

Peggy is our professional sniffer dog. She has the important task of searching for bird and bat carcasses near wind turbine sites as part of post-construction monitoring. Unfortunately, some birds and bats collide with the turbines, but with the help of Peggy, we are trying to do our bit to understand the impact turbines may have upon these populations.

Peggy has poor IT skills and consequently is not on LinkedIn. In her spare time she can often be seen enjoying the surf on various South Wales beaches.