Our Team

Grant is a valuable resource to those in need of natural values advice and assistance. His skills as a field ecologist, in particular in relation to flora and vertebrate fauna, are trained from a lifetime in the Tasmanian bush and are highly respected by his peers. His specialties include the management and assessment of complex projects, plant and animal surveys, vegetation mapping, and condition assessments. Grant has extensive knowledge of Tasmanian flora and fauna, a very high-level understanding of the TASVEG classification system (SRG committee member), an expert understanding of environmental legislation, and comprehensive knowledge of natural values assessments and threatened species conservation protocols.

Heidi has a biology degree from the University of Victoria, in British Columbia, Canada and has worked on a variety of surveys in countries around the world, including Antarctica. Heidi has worked as a wildlife guide in Tasmania and the polar regions for more than 20 years and is an assessor for polar guide competencies. Heidi is especially passionate about bird life and has carried out bird surveys throughout Tasmania.  When not conducting fieldwork for North Barker, Heidi enjoys bushwalking and birding in remote places and also volunteers regularly with Bushcare and Landcare projects in Tasmania.

Erin is a dedicated wildlife ecologist with a specialised focus on the intersection of wind energy and avian conservation. With a strong background in ecology and a Master’s degree concentrating on nest reserve management for eagles in Tasmania, Erin brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Her responsibilities include coordinating large-scale eagle nest searches, managing complex fieldwork logistics and safety in remote locations, conducting targeted surveys for threatened fauna, and performing detailed data collection and reporting, all while supporting project management.
Erin thrives in the field and has exceptional bird identification skills, which she also applies in her personal time as a dedicated birdwatcher. Additionally, she embraces various outdoor activities, including traveling, hiking, camping, and biking.

Craig is a geospatial scientist, with an extensive background in computer and electronics engineering. Craig graduated from Curtin University with a Master of Applied Science (Geospatial Science), being awarded for the highest overall result in the postgrad program for that year. Since beginning working in the environmental sector in 2021, Craig is passionate about adapting his 30+ years of experience with technology in Defence (as both a service member and civilian) and Foreign Affairs to ecology projects. He has interests in complex mathematical modelling, including advance techniques in photogrammetry processing of multispectral UAV imagery and LiDAR data analysis.

Linda is an experienced spatial and environmental scientist who specialises in the modelling and communication of environmental information for regulatory applications and compliance purposes, primarily using GIS (Geographic Information Systems). Her experience over the last 18 years has been as a consultant to both State and local government and she enjoys working with clients to help them achieve their goals.

Linda is also a certified Bushfire Hazard Management Planner.

Sandy has many decades of experience in integrated pest management (both practical and applied), including weeds and invertebrates. She holds a BSc (hons) majoring in zoology with honours in entomology and also a Certificate IV in Small Business Management. Sandy has worked extensively across Australia for Australian, State/ Territory and Local governments, natural resource management groups, local community groups and now private business on integrated weed management, insect pest management and management of threatened species. In addition, she has coordinated delivery of national, state and municipal weed and NRM programs. Sandy possesses specialist skills in project management, report writing, stakeholder engagement and developing educational programs and strives to achieve practical solutions to meet stakeholder needs. She is passionate about protecting Australia’s biodiversity and natural systems and has been an active member of voluntary community groups since the early 1990s.

Ian has recently completed his Bachelor of Natural Environment and Wilderness with 1st class Honours at the University of Tasmania He is an early career ecologist and has already been a part of a variety of environmental assessments in a range of ecological settings and contexts. He is able to apply a geographical lens to the projects he works on to incorporate the broad range of considerations needed to produce strong and relevant recommendations. This is thanks to his tertiary education studies and community engagement. Ian’s skills are strongest in vegetation assessment and working in field settings. He is experienced in undertaking natural values assessments, vegetation condition assessments and vegetation mapping. He is extending his faunal skills through practical application and training. Whilst he continues to develop his skills and expertise, he demonstrates high levels of diligence, aptitude for quality and enthusiasm. Ian’s enjoyment of positively contributing to outcomes of North Barker Ecosystem Service’s projects is evident in the strong effort he applies and in the high standard he upholds.

Kelly has extensive experience working as an environmental consultant across NSW, organising and undertaking ecological surveys, conducting environmental assessments, and preparing environmental reports. She has worked on numerous projects of all sizes, for various government sectors and private clients, including large scale wind farms, gas pipelines and transmission lines, to smaller development applications and road upgrades. Kelly also has a solid background in bush regeneration, which has given her invaluable practical experience in natural area management, conservation and weed control.

Since joining North Barker at the start of 2021, Kelly has expanded her botanical knowledge of Tasmanian flora and has developed a key understanding of relevant State legislation and local planning policies, allowing her to apply her experience in our local context.

Cheng is a spatial scientist with a rich knowledge of environmental GIS (Geographic Information Systems), remote sensing and drone photogrammetry. He recently finished his master’s degree in Applied Science from the University of Tasmania. Cheng came to Tasmania in 2019 and showed great passion for Tasmanian wildlife and environmental conservation. His strength lies in data visualisation and modelling. He has a vision of helping create a more sustainable society through his knowledge in spatial sciences. In his free time, Cheng enjoys bushwalking, cooking and photography.

Tim is an experienced field ecologist with extensive knowledge of environmental impact assessments and environmental regulation in Tasmania. He has a passion for native flora and fauna and has worked extensively in various industries, including forestry, agricultural land clearing, and road building. Tim possesses specialist skills in vegetation mapping, flora and fauna surveys, and species identification (including rare and threatened species), as well as having a high-level understanding of environmental legislation and approval pathways. He maintains a focus on identifying practical solutions which balance the principles of conservation ecology with sustainable land use.

Sarju is an enthusiastic young professional that manages North Barkers administration and accounting, utilising his strong finance and management skills, which include post-graduate qualifications in Accounting from Charles Sturt University. He also completed a professional year in ECA and completed a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Australian National Institute of Management and Commerce in Sydney. As someone who is dedicated to providing the best quality work through hands on engagement, Sarju is deeply involved with the administration of our business and facilitates us delivering high quality results on all our projects.

Harsha is a marine biologist specializing in marine mammal acoustics. He completed a master’s degree at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania, where he developed a strong foundation in bioacoustics research. Since joining North Barker, his expertise has expanded to terrestrial applications, with a particular focus on avian and cryptic species acoustics.
In addition to bioacoustics, Harsha has a keen interest in data visualization and is building automated bioacoustic detectors to enhance ecological monitoring. His work is driven by a passion for leveraging emerging technology to better understand and protect wildlife.

Alice is an ecologist with a passion for Tasmanian fauna and the environment. She holds a Master of Applied Science (Biological Sciences) from UTAS with a focus on conservation and restoration ecology. She has wealth of experience and practical knowledge in field-based wildlife surveys and the care of captive animals, having worked as a keeper for the Orange-bellied Parrot breeding program and volunteered with a variety of academic and citizen science projects both in Australia and abroad. Alice is skilled in report writing and statistical analyses and has published peer-reviewed research articles as both lead and co-author. A keen birdwatcher and bushwalker, Alice also enjoys making ceramics and sewing in her free time.

Cameron is an ecologist with a double degree majoring in botany and geoconservation. He recently completed his Honours in the School of Environment, Technology and Design and the University of Tasmania where he looked at the relationship between fire and geodiversity in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. He also has a Certificate III in Horticulture (Plantsmanship). His strengths lie in field vegetation mapping and surveying for threatened flora and fauna. His experience is bolstered by his passion for the Tasmanian outdoors.

Jared applies his detailed knowledge of Tasmanian flora to a variety of projects across the State, with specialist knowledge of highland environments and grasslands.  Jared has valuable experience in vegetation monitoring and mapping, particularly in alpine communities of snow patch vegetation in the face of climate change. Jared also has proficient skills in statistical and GIS programs. 

Part-time, Jared is a PhD candidate at the University of Tasmania, investigating the dynamic relationship between grasslands and shrublands/sedgelands in alpine regions of Tasmania. Areas of inquiry for his project include climatic influences, the impact of grazing and fire, and synecology of grassland communities.

Karen has a strong technical and academic background in conservation, forestry and land management. Karen holds a BSc in life and earth sciences with a major in botany. She is also a Forest Practices Officer with a specialty of working in land clearance not usually associated with commercial forestry, e.g. dams, irrigation, mining and infrastructure. She has worked extensively in assessment of conservation values, particularly in botany, but including threatened fauna habitat, geomorphology, archaeology, and soil and water values.

She provides management recommendations often in collaboration with other land managers or landowners. Karen has a passion for offshore islands and has coordinated several weed control programs in the Furneaux, Kent and Maatsuyker group of islands, including logistics and on ground works. She has a thorough grounding in conservation in production environments as well as in areas managed primarily for conservation.

Jess has recently completed her Bachelor of Environmental Science (Ecological Conservation) at Charles Sturt University. Jess is passionate about the conservation and management of threatened fauna and flora and enjoys continuing to learn about individual species. Jess has previously worked in the retail and hospitality industry where she developed strong leadership skills, transferring them into leading small teams on eagle utilisation surveys. Jess has volunteered on plant biodiversity surveys in the midlands, Orange-bellied parrot surveys on the north-west coast and devil trapping in the north-west of Tasmania.

Will has recently completed his BSc degree in Ecology and Plant Science at the University of Tasmania. Will is passionate about Tasmania and its environment and is expanding his knowledge through assisting on a variety of projects with North Barker, currently focusing on field work and report writing. Previously, Will has worked as a bushwalking guide, and is an avid bushwalker, rock climber, scuba diver and woodworker.

Sally has recently completed a BSc majoring in Plant Science and Ecology. Beginning her career in conservation in remote and far north Queensland, Sally has since moved to Tasmania to pursue her passion for Alpine ecology and is now undertaking Honours research on threatened alpine flora. Sally has a passion for the conservation and management of threatened species. She has a wide range of skills and experience, from assisting green sea turtle research on Raine Island to natural capital accounting research in Tasmania. Sally now spends her time volunteering for Threatened Plants Tasmania and exploring alpine areas across the state.

Liam is a geospatial scientist who has recently graduated from the University of Tasmania. He has advanced GIS skills in numerous applications such as QGIS and the Esri suite. Liam’s main strength involves problem solving and querying through software and code.

Andrew has been operating as a consultant in Tasmania since 1991, establishing the North Barker business in 2000 in partnership with Philip Barker, after which a transition was made to a company in 2020. He has reported over many hundreds of studies for various Government Departments and proposals throughout Tasmania. He has extensive experience with surveys of reserves and conservation areas and specialises in assessing botanical conservation values, development proposal impacts upon native vegetation, and monitoring of site rehabilitation.

Prior to coming to Tasmania, Andrew worked in the UK in habitat management, balancing nature conservation with public use for recreation and education. He compiled, promoted and implemented management plans for Country Parks and Nature Reserves.

Lily is an experienced field ecologist and wildlife rescuer who cares deeply for native wildlife and their habitats. She completed her BSc degree in Environmental Science (Conservation and Ecosystems) at the University of Melbourne. Lily has since worked as a conservation ecologist in Western Australia and as a field scientist and wilderness guide in Tasmania. She has been involved in multiple fauna translocations in WA including the most recent Chuditch (western quoll) translocation. Lily is a general outdoors enthusiast who has volunteered on surveys for long-nosed potoroos, spotted tree frogs, and wombats. She is particularly interested in threatened species management and wildlife rehabilitation.

Jez is a Senior Ecologist with a PhD in the design and implementation of wildlife surveys and monitoring programs. He completed a year of fieldwork on Macquarie Island and specialises in seabird ecology. Jez has over 15 years of experience in business and biodiversity focusing on net positive commitments, the mitigation hierarchy and conservation assessments in Australia and internationally. As well as practical field skills, Jez has a depth of quantitative analytical skills and has written industry reports, peer-reviewed research papers and popular science materials. He is happiest outdoors, sailing, paddling and exploring nature.

Aleida has extensive consultancy experience in the field of ecology and environmental management. She has a broad knowledge of terrestrial ecology and strong botanical species identification skills. Aleida is experienced at evaluating development proposal impacts upon native vegetation and fauna habitat values and preparing revegetation and ecological management plans, as well as preparing documentation for approvals processes.

Aleida began in the field of environmental science in Tasmania during university, gaining a broad knowledge of the Tasmanian flora and fauna and a variety of field skills for flora and fauna assessment, vegetation condition assessments, and vegetation mapping. Aleida completed her PhD through the University of Western Australia in 2007. She went on to establish a career as an environmental consultant in Western Australia, managing and conducting a variety of flora and vegetation assessment projects, targeted threatened species surveys, and producing impact assessment reports. Aleida joined North Barker in 2010 and has since increased her GIS and mapping capabilities in addition to continuing as an environmental consultant.

Will is an ecologist experienced in delivering a broad spectrum of technical advice to both governments and private clients. Will graduated from the University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Business (Economics) and Science (Environmental) in 2021. Prior to joining NBES, Will delivered various environmental approvals and water recovery programs for national parks under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in NSW. As an ecologist, Will’s priority is to provide sound environmental advice that delivers positive project outcomes for clients while upholding Tasmania’s natural values.