CGO Ecology recently made a significant donation to Chewton Common Playgroup in Highcliffe, supporting the company’s aim to aid small or community projects where the donation goes a long way.

Director of CGO Ecology, Chris Gleed-Owen, says of the gift: “My two boys both attended Chewton Common Playgroup, and I was very impressed by the setting. Owner Helen and her team really go above and beyond in terms of creating the best learning opportunities, particularly when it comes to nature. My boys incubated eggs and watched chicks hatch, grew and harvested their own vegetables and most recently planted an orchard. This connection with the natural world is so important for the next generation.”

Helen used the funds to set up a cloud-watching station for children and parents, purchasing fencing, outdoor furniture, information boards and binoculars. It teaches the youngsters about weather and clouds and engages them with nature. But also, it is a special shared activity for kids’ and their care-givers.

Helen says: “We are delighted with our new cloud-watching station and thank CGO Ecology for enabling it. We’re always looking for new ways to immerse the children in nature, and benefit from the mental wellbeing it brings.”   

Chris took his youngest son, Joe, along last week to test it out. Then Chris cut the ribbon in front of a very excited audience of youngsters.

Ecologists - CGO Ecology is recruiting Ecologists. Starting Feb/Mar 2023. Salary £25,000-30,000. Permanent, full-time, advertised until filled. Locations: Northwest, Midlands, Southeast, Southwest.

Background - CGO Ecology is a small, friendly consultancy based in Dorset, with a reputation for quality and delivery. Staff care and retention is important to us, especially in a competitive job market. We operate via a core team of staff and wide nationwide network of subconsultants. Our clients are primarily in the public sector, but also in the private sector. Our work spans construction, transport, infrastructure, renewables, decarbonisation, minerals, housing, education, agriculture, forestry, research.

Role - We are recruiting Ecologists for roles in the Northwest, Midlands, Southeast, and Southwest. We need someone with ECoW experience for a large project in Lancashire, and accomplished PEA and PRA surveyors for householder/small developer work in the other areas. Roles are home-based and site-based. We will consider appointing a Senior Ecologist for the right candidate.

Requirements - Successful applicants will have experience in ecological consultancy, and be abreast of policy, professional standards, guidance, fieldcraft, and reporting requirements. They will have survey and mitigation experience, good written English, and be effective communicators with colleagues and clients. We look for a pragmatic problem-solving outlook, an enthusiastic approach to work, and a strong work ethic. Due to the nature of the work, postholders must be physically able.

Benefits - Salary from £25,000-30,000 per annum, negotiable depending on the candidate. Normal working week 40 hours (including work travel), with 32 days’ leave per year (24 days discretionary, 8 days statutory). We operate a self-managed flexi-time (TOIL) arrangement. We value a healthy work-life balance, and endeavour to accommodate people’s personal circumstances. We offer full maternity pay for three months, half pay for up to nine months, and full paternity pay for up to two months. Full sick pay up to two weeks, negotiable thereafter. To cultivate a healthy employee-employer relationship, we hold regular meetings to invite feedback. The postholder may choose their pension provider. We pay fieldwork accommodation, travel and meal costs, and home-office costs. We provide PPE and equipment, a CPD/training budget, and pay for CIEEM membership where relevant. We are an equal opportunities employer.

Application - Please email with a short CV highlighting UK-based professional ecological experience. Please state which geographical area you are applying for, your salary expectations, and your soonest availability. Interviews by video or in person in February/March 2023. We are happy to offer feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

CGO Ecology has donated 50 dormouse nest tubes and 10 footprint tunnels to the Countryside Restoration Trust to enable a survey of their Bere Marsh Farm site in Dorset.

Bere Marsh Farm lies close to the village of Shillingstone, with the River Stour running alongside it. Just beyond is Hambledon Hill – a place of fascinating history, botany and geology.

Andy Fale from the Countryside Restoration Trust explains: “There are dormouse records from a wood bordering the farm, and we want to see if there are any on the farm. The donation from CGO Ecology is very much appreciated, and we are going to keep them posted with our findings.”

The hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) has declined in the UK by over 50% in the last 20% years. It is strictly protected by law.

The dormouse tubes are often secured with plastic cable-ties, but CGO Ecology ensured that these ones will be tied with natural twine in order to avoid single-use plastic.  

Director of CGO Ecology, Chris Gleed-Owen, says of the donation: “I have known Andy for over 20 years, and in his new role at The Countryside Restoration Trust, he is doing amazing work promoting wildlife-friendly farming. We’re keen to support innovative projects like this, particularly in our home county of Dorset.” 

CGO Ecology recently made a significant donation to Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival, becoming a Bronze sponsor. The two-day community event is run by a committee of volunteers and relies on such donations.

The festival features over 120 local traders, selling everything from biltong, bratwurst and olives to artisan cheese, seafood and gelato. The cookery theatre stages demonstrations from a wide range of local and celebrity chefs. The Little Craft Shack curate ‘Crafts on the Green’ – a selection of arts and crafts stalls. Plus, there are two stages of live music and a treasure hunt and free activities for the kids all weekend.

Director of CGO Ecology, Chris Gleed-Owen, says of the gift: “Since living in Highcliffe, I’ve seen this event go from strength to strength. Coming back after a two-year break due to Covid was no mean feat. Festival organisers still incurred costs for the two cancelled events, so had to work hard to get extra sponsorship in 2022. The event was incredible – it brought loads of visitors to the area, and the atmosphere was brilliant. I hope that our donation will contribute to an even bigger and better event this year.”

Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival takes place on Saturday 10^th and Sunday 11^th June 2023.

Dr Chris Gleed-Owen, Director of CGO Ecology, has been Research Committee Chair of The British Herpetological Society (BHS) for almost 20 years. In 2004, Chris set up the Student Grant Scheme to help early-career herpetologists, and he has been managing the scheme ever since.

Chris explains: “Twice a year, students from around the world can apply for project funding. We prioritise projects in developing countries, and particularly ones working with endangered species. We’ve funded projects in Nepal, India, Thailand, Uganda, South Africa, Madagascar, as well as the UK, Portugal, Malta, and other European countries Unfortunately, we are only able to help about five students a year, so have to turn away a lot of worthy applicants.”

He adds: “There was a particularly good intake of applications in 2021, so my company, CGO Ecology Ltd, sponsored the scheme in order to make up the shortfall in funding, and help more students.”

The December 2021 recipients, each of whom received £300, were:

• Aabha Pokharel who is studying frog assemblages in Madi Valley, Nepal.
• Ellie Dobbs who is studying the conservation status of Maltese snakes.
• Pawan Pareek who is studying nesting habitat of the red-crowned roofed turtle in the Chambal Sanctuary, India.
• Srijana Timilsina who is studying gharial habitats and human conflict in Chitwan National Park, Nepal.

Pawan Pareek said of the funding: “I am truly grateful to the British Herpetological Society for this support. The grant helped me fund my PhD research work to document information about nest site selection of critically-endangered red-crowned roofed turtles (Batagur kachuga).”

In order for the scheme to help more students, The British Herpetological Society is looking for new corporate sponsors. If you can offer any help with funding, or have any useful suggestions, please contact Research Committee Chair Chris Gleed-Owen.

[Words by Rebecca Perl. Photos supplied by the students].