ECHOES ECOLOGY - Key Persons
Heather Campbell joined the Echoes Ecology team full time in 2018 and now acts as Senior Ecologist. Prior to this she worked as a Seasonal Ecologist at Echoes from 2014-2015 and then as an ecologist at an engineering company. She holds a NatureScot Roost Visitor and Harp Trapping Licence for bats and a NatureScot Bat Low Impact Licence. She's also a qualified tree climber (NPTC) and holds a Sentinel card for working on railways.
Heather has undertaken a wide range of protected species surveys for bats, badger, otter, water vole, red squirrels, great crested newts and reptiles. She has undertaken Ecological Clerk of Work duties on various schemes including large-scale railway infrastructure projects and develops licensable mitigation and compensation strategies for bats, badger and water vole. Her other core strengths relate to BatSound and Analook bat echolocation analysis.
Job Titles:
- Principal Ecologist and Co - Owner
Heather Simpson joined Echoes Ecology in 2013 and is now the Principal Ecologist. Heather is an experienced botanist, carrying out Phase 1, NVC and invasive species surveys, as well as mammal, bird, reptile and amphibian surveys. She holds a NatureScot Great Crested Newt licence, a Schedule 1 bird licence and is a qualified tree climber. Her roles within Echoes Ecology include case management, field surveying and report writing, and staff development and mentoring.
Heather is a keen hill runner and spends most weekends attempting to run up hills whilst wishing her cocker spaniel Meg didn't make it look so easy.
Kay joined the Echoes Ecology team full time in 2022 as an Assistant Ecologist, having worked for the summer as a seasonal staff member. She has a Postgraduate Diploma in Wildlife and Conservation Management from Scotland's Rural College and is hoping to continue her studies to attain a MSc in the field. Prior to joining Echoes, Kay has worked as a countryside ranger with both Clackmannanshire Council and Forestry and Land Scotland. Kay is currently working towards her Level One Badger Worker Course, and had completed courses in survey techniques, identification and ecology for species including bats, amphibians and reptiles, birds and plants. She also volunteers with British Trust for Ornithology, Bat Conservation Trust, and Scottish Badgers.
Job Titles:
- Co - Owner
- Managing Director
Laura Carter-Davis is the Managing Director of Echoes Ecology and has worked with the company since 2007. She holds a NatureScot licence for bats (including harp trapping), badgers and otters, a Bat Low Impact licence and is a Level One Registered Badger Worker (Scottish Badgers). In addition, Laura is a qualified tree climber (NPTC) and Lantra-certified Conservation Detection Dog Handler. Her interests relate to mammal surveying, including for otter, water vole and pine marten. Her role involves the management of customer deliverables and team resources, as well as the project management of more complex casework. Laura has substantial experience with applying for protected species licences and developing associated mitigation and compensation strategies.
In her spare time Laura enjoys canicross with her labradors (the muddier the trails, the better, according to Poppy and Bree). Laura indulges her creative side with the art of taxidermy.
Matt joined the Echoes Ecology team in 2022 as an Ecologist. Prior to Echoes, Matt worked as a Tree and Woodland Operative with West Lothian Council.
Matt has worked within the conservation, ecology and arboriculture sector since completing his studies; he holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Marine Biology from Newcastle University (2016) and a Countryside Management Diploma (2018). Matt has undertaken a wide range of protected species surveys for bats, badger, barn owl, otter, great crested newts, water vole and red squirrel, and undertaken Ecological Clerk of Work duties on large-scale infrastructure projects.
Matt holds NatureScot and Natural England (Class 1) licences for great crested newts.
Outside of work, Matt is a keen hiker and paddle boarder, usually found up a hill or on a loch with his cocker spaniel Rowan.