Senior Ecologist
Sarah Forsyth BSc (Hons) ACIEEM
Sarah has a broad range experience in ecological impact assessment and environmental planning, covering land development and infrastructure projects, from roles both in the private and public sector since 2002.
Sarah joined Ethos in 2018 as a Senior Ecologist and works with clients and consultant teams to provide ecological advice and support for development projects from planning through to implementation. This includes undertaking and preparation of ecological appraisals, EcIAs, Habitat Regulations Assessment, Ecological Management Plans, method statements and licence applications. Fieldwork experience covers habitat and protected species surveys – including badger, dormouse, reptiles, great crested newts (holder of Natural England Class 1 licence) and bats which are of particular interest to Sarah.
Prior to joining Ethos Sarah provided ecological planning advice for North Somerset Council as a County Ecologist on development applications ranging from individual householders to major schemes. Sarah also supported other Council services (policy, open spaces, highways, and enforcement) on matters related to ecology and nature conservation.
Earlier roles included Environmental Consents Assistant on the Network Rail’s Southern Region Power Supply Upgrade Project (from planning through to implementation); and over six years in consultancy with Peter Brett Associates (including secondment to Baker Shepherd Gillespie) as an Environmental Planner (co-ordinating EIAs) and as an Ecologist undertaking surveys, assessments, managing specialist sub-consultants and providing advice.
Conservation work over the years has included roles as a research assistant (University of Surrey: hedgehog translocation study, Outer Hebrides); WSPA: Asiatic black bear rehabilitation, Thailand); wild animal carer (Project Wildlife, California); and currently as an active member of both Avon Bat Group and Wiltshire Bat Group.