Dan joined UES in 2019 as a subcontractor after graduating from Bangor University with a BSc in Environmental Conservation. He subsequently completed an MScRes in Biological Sciences in 2020, following which he joined UES as a full-time employee. He has since progressed to the position of Senior Ecologist and is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (ACIEEM).
During his university studies, Dan gained international field research experience in South Africa and Kenya, investigating the evolutionary function of zebra stripes in Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa, and the habitat utilisation of large mammals within Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya.
In his current role, Dan undertakes a wide range of ecological surveys and assessments, including preliminary ecological appraisals (PEAs), UK Habitat Classification (UKHab) surveys, habitat condition assessments, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments and protected species surveys. He is also responsible for preparing technical reports, ecological management plans and supporting documentation for planning applications, alongside providing ecological advice throughout the planning and development process.
Dan has particular expertise in bat ecology, undertaking preliminary roost assessments (PRAs), bat presence / absence surveys, ground-level tree assessments (GLTAs) and aerial tree assessments (ATAs). He holds bat survey licences issued by Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and NatureScot, including a Level 2 bat survey licence from Natural England. He is also a qualified NPTC Level 2 tree climber, enabling him to undertake specialist aerial inspections of trees for potential bat roosts.
In addition to his bat expertise, Dan holds great crested newt survey licences and has extensive experience undertaking surveys for a range of protected and notable species, including badgers, reptiles, otters, water voles and breeding birds. He is also qualified to undertake River Condition Assessments (RCAs).
Dan regularly undertakes Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) duties, providing ecological supervision during construction and development activities to ensure compliance with ecological mitigation measures and relevant wildlife legislation.
Dan holds a Level 3 Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) awarded by the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI), demonstrating his botanical identification skills. His additional qualifications and training include a CSCS card, a Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Brush-cutters and Trimmers, asbestos awareness, emergency first aid, and PA1 and PA6 qualifications for the application of pesticides.