Ecology seeks to understand the vital relationships between living things and their environment. It can also provide information about the important role ecosystems and biodiversity play in providing services that benefit society, such as protecting human health. It can also teach us how to manage our natural resources and protect the environment for future generations.
TEP’s ecologists work on a range of projects from housing, commercial and industrial developments to major infrastructure projects. Through surveying and understanding individual ecological systems, the team can provide expert advice on an array of ecological and environmental matters. This includes ecology surveys, protected species licensing, habitat management and environmental impacts. By working with clients to understand their individual needs, our ecologists can identify potential constraints and provide advice on how they can be mitigated, or even made into a valuable feature.
TEP has a team of over 40 ecologists located nationally, who are all members of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and are supported by a network of sub-consultants. TEP is also licensed by Natural England and Natural Resources Wales to undertake terrestrial and freshwater protected species surveys. This includes species such as great crested newts, bats, otter, dormice, badgers, water voles, white-clawed crayfish, amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates and birds. Over half of our ecologists have been awarded a licence and several of these have more than one. This enables TEP to undertake several surveys at once and is more cost-effective than conducting separate visits. The team can also deliver habitat assessments for all stages of a development proposal and often present surveys, assessments and mitigation schemes to regulators and at public inquiries and hearings.
Amongst the ecology team’s achievements is winning small-scale project of the year for the White Lion Nature Reserve at the 2019 CIRIA BIG Biodiversity Awards and receiving highly commended for the Heathlands Residential Scheme at the 2019 IEMA Sustainability Impact Awards.
If you would like further information about TEP’s ecology services, please contact the team by emailing ecology@tep.uk.com.
