Company Background

Botanical, Environmental & Conservation Consultants Ltd. is a group of professional and highly experienced natural scientists. Since its establishment in 2000, the company has provided high quality specialist ecological and conservation biology advice to a range of clients including the National Parks & Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Waterways Ireland and Coillte. Working from offices in Dublin, BEC Consultants are involved in projects throughout Ireland. Our staff has also become involved in initiatives in the United Kingdom, South America, South-east Asia and the Pacific Islands. The company has built strong links with local authorities, university faculties, NGOs and government departments and strives to work in tandem with these institutions to provide an excellent service.

We specialise in ecological research projects, such as the National Survey of Native Woodlands in Ireland and the Irish Survey of Semi-natural Grasslands. We also conduct specialist botanical surveys, prepare management plans and participate in practical conservation projects, such as rare plant translocations. The company has also overseen, or acted as Irish representative to, a number of national and international biodiversity research strategy projects. As the projects listed demonstrate, a wide range of expertise is offered in the areas of ecological surveys, habitat mapping, biodiversity studies and conservation biology. Data are analysed and stored using the best practices available in statistical analysis, database management and Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

All BEC staff members are trained ecologists and have a wealth of experience and in many instances a significant reputation in botany and conservation management. Our senior staff are all members of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, which requires adherence to a strict code of professional conduct. The company is committed to a programme of Continuing Professional Development and staff members regularly attend conferences and formal training courses in Ireland and the UK.

Click to read an article about BEC Consultants’ role in biodiversity research from Public Service Review: European Science and Technology.

Graduate Ecologist Program

BEC Consultants recognise that a skills gap exists between graduate ecologists and professional ecologists. The company has always strived to offer opportunities to young ecologists and recent Irish graduates have been employed by the company with the aim of helping these individuals develop a career in ecology while improving their skills and knowledge.

Environmental Policy

All staff members are committed to running the business in an environmentally friendly way. Through our Environmental Policy, use of paper in the office is minimised and recycled materials are used wherever possible. We use environmentally friendly suppliers such as Klee Paper for our stationery. Paper is re-used within the office before being sent for recycling. Cardboard, paper, plastics, printer cartridges, batteries and glass are all sent for recycling. All journeys within Dublin, including commuting to and from work, are made by bicycle, on foot, or using public transport. All other journeys use public transport where feasible.

Staff from BEC Consultants took part in BioBlitz 2011, which was organised by the National Biodiversity Data Centre. BioBlitz is a fun annual event which aims to record as many species as possible within a park, national park or nature reserve over a 24 hour period. In 2011, five teams competed to win the title. Philip Perrin and Jenni Roche were part of the winning team, who recorded a total of 1088 species in Killarney National Park.

The company is also currently investigating how growing native tree species could be used to offset the company’s carbon emissions.