About
Us
• to help clients
navigate the world of ecological compliance
• to give a cost effective and professional service
• to invest in the ongoing training, personal development and quality of
our people
• to provide sustainable solutions to mitigate the environmental impact
of development
Profiles
Marcus has over 20
years experience as an ecologist and has
owned and managed the award-winning business
of MKA Ecology since 1998. He brings
to the business his excellent and broad knowledge of British habitats
and protected species, his expertise and skill in working alongside professionals
of all disciplines on complex projects and a determination to deliver
service of the highest quality as efficiently as possible. Marcus has
extensive overseas ecological experience, having worked and traveled
extensively in South East Asia, Australasia and Africa. He has over ten
years’ experience as a wildlife tour leader, specializing in Madagascar,
but also taking groups to many other destinations across four continents
including leading the first extended wildlife tour into Rwanda since
the 1994 genocide. Marcus has helped develop wildlife tour itineraries
for several clients and has a great understanding of international eco-tourism.
Providing professional ecological services
on projects as diverse as long-term gravel
extraction, landfill and recreational landscaping,
through pipelines and motorway widening to
habitat creation for the grounds of a new hotel
development has helped him build a portfolio
of skills. He is client focused and committed
to finding workable solutions and, where possible,
to adding value.
Will graduated with
a Master’s degree
in Conservation from University College London
where his dissertation examined the relationship
between farming practices and corn bunting
abundance. Will’s undergraduate degree
in Biological Sciences at the University of
Bristol involved research into bat echolocation
and behaviour and this has fostered a deep
interest in the ecology of British Bats which
he has been able to pursue through close involvement
with local bat groups. Will also has an interest
in invertebrates and has taken part in numerous
courses and workshops to develop his skills
in this field.
Will has developed an excellent understanding
of British wildlife, ecology and conservation
whilst working for a local Wildlife Trust and
MKA Ecology. He has taken part in and managed
a wide range of projects involving several
taxonomic groups including amphibians, bats,
birds, protected mammals, reptiles and vascular
plants. These surveys have supported a variety
of projects such as wind farm developments,
major road schemes, barn renovations, BREEAM
assessments, European protected species licence
applications and large housing developments.
Will currently holds Great Crested Newt and
bat licenses.
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Gary is a multi-disciplined senior ecologist
with over ten years’ ecological experience
with specific expertise in ornithology. He
is experienced at preparing Ecological Impact
Assessments and studies to inform Appropriate
Assessments for many varied projects, including
wind farms. He has experience surveying for
most taxonomic groups including birds, amphibians,
bats, other protected mammals, reptiles and
vascular plants. Gary holds Natural England
licences for Barn Owls and Great Crested Newts
and a BTO generic licence for Schedule 1 birds.
Gary’s consultancy work with birds is
complemented by voluntary work for the BTO
and the RSPB. He undertakes standard and specialised
bird survey methods such as CBC, BBS and registration
mapping techniques, winter bird surveys using
WeBS, as well as vantage points and nocturnal
surveys. His surveys have targeted specialist
species including Barn Owl, Black Redstart,
Stone Curlew, Woodlark and Nightjar and specialist
habitats, including areas of special designation.
He has undertaken long term monitoring projects,
data analysis, including wind farm collision
risk modelling, behavioural analysis, Ornithology
Impact Assessment and Appropriate Assessment.
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Emily graduated
with a degree in Environmental Science from
the University of Leeds in 2008. In 2009 she
undertook a graduate training scheme with Somerset
Environmental Records where she gained experience
surveying a range of protected species and
habitats. Field experience includes surveys
of bats, dormouse, otters, reptiles, amphibians,
invertebrates, water voles and birds. Having
carried out NVC surveys she has also gained
a good working knowledge of British flora.
Emily is continuing to develop her field skills
through her work with MKA Ecology and during
her free time, and continues working towards
protected species licences.
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Ollie graduated with a Master’s degree
in Applied Ecology and Conservation from the
University of East Anglia where his dissertation
investigated the breeding habitat requirements
of Firecrests in Thetford Forest. Ollie is
a specialist ornithologist with an extensive
academic background, including research projects
into frugivorous bird feeding rates in Kenya
and passerine responses to avian predator calls
in England. Ollie has maintained both a personal
and professional interest in birds for a number
of years, having previously worked for the
British Trust for Ornithology and the Royal
Society for the Protection of Birds as a field
ornithologist. He has applied his experience
to the consultancy profession since 2010, undertaking
a wide variety of bird surveys including breeding
bird, wintering bird, nocturnal bird and vantage
point surveys and Schedule 1 monitoring. In
addition, Ollie has experience in surveying
for a range of protected species including
badgers, bats, great crested newts, otters,
reptiles and water voles. Ollie currently holds
great crested newt and barn owl licences.
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Jane Kohler was a practicing commercial
solicitor in a major international law firm,
managing a team of junior lawyers until 2004,
when she joined MKA Ecology as a practice manager.
She brings the skills she developed working
at a high level in a successful and professional
organization to the management of the business.
She is responsible for aspects of the business
as diverse as the accounting function, personnel,
operational procedures, regulatory compliance
and quality control.
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Sue is a key player in the business with responsibility for the smooth
running of the office and administrative function. She brings to MKA
Ecology the organizational and planning skills she learned as the assistant
manager of a driving school and as a legal PA.
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