Biodiversity Monitoring Services

 

Andrew Lothian began running fauna projects while still at university. After completing a double degree and first class honours in 2007, he continued to provide research and teaching services to the University of NSW (UNSW), Sydney University (USYD), the University of Wollongong (UWOL), NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Primary Industries Vertebrate Pest Research Unit. These services included coordinating and running fauna research projects, and teaching field trips on how to undertake fauna surveys (experimental design, animal handling, animal identification etc.).

 

In 2017 Andrew took over as director of BMS and has been working for the business for over 10 years.  Andrew has been involved in operations that include infrastructure corridors such as roads, gas pipelines and power lines, as well as impact and offset projects for various mining projects. They include:

 

• Targeted surveys for EPBC and BOS credit/threatened species

• Impact assessment surveys

• Biodiversity Development Assessment Reports (BDAR)

• Subsidence monitoring for underground mining operations

• Open cut rehabilitation and offset areas

• Infrastructure corridors

• Ultrasonic bat call analysis

• AUSRIVAS bioassessment (NSW Accreditation)

• Nest box construction and installation.

 

As principal ecologist for BMS, Andrew has been responsible for sourcing and coordinating staff, developing WHS/OHS policies, planning and executing field trips, reporting and liaising with clients. Andrew attained his NSW BAM Accreditation in June 2018.  In 2020 he has become a Certified Practicing Ecological Consultant under the Ecological Consultants Association of NSW.

 

In 2014 Andrew became Treasurer of the Ecological Consultants Association of NSW. He has been a member of the Royal Zoological Society of NSW and maintains close connections with those in the research/university fields.