Land & Habitats Consultancy
Professional Advice for Resilient Landscapes
Land & Habitats Consultancy restore and manage peatlands and wetlands.
Our clients value both business and nature.
We create resilience within landscapes, enhancing biodiversity and reducing climate change impacts.
Where habitats flourish - wildlife find them.
We believe in making decisions from the ground up
Land and Habitats Consultancy works across Scotland and Northern England - with corporate businesses, landowners and managers, trade organisations, specialist contractors, consultants and NGOs to create landscapes of high conservation value.
These landscapes often influence water quality and flood risk.
Our professional advice and on-site project management bring together local knowledge, specialist contractors and advisors.
The success of Suntory Global Spirits' Peatland Water Sanctuary™, Peatland ACTION and other projects, demonstrates our ability to engage with land managers, contractors, consultants, agencies, NGO’s, Government and community groups to form strong and productive working relationships.
Co-founded by Andrew and Ellen McBride, Land and Habitats Consultancy, building on the earlier experience of their first environmental consultancy ‘McBride Habitats’ established in 1997.
Land & Habitats Consultancy places a strong emphasis on natural habitats, as these environments provide places for both business and wildlife to thrive.
Project Management Services
Decisions from the ground up
We value
- Local knowledge
- Professional experience
- Science and research
- Strong working relationships
Project Design & Development
Habitat creation and restoration
- Feasibility scoping
- Site assessments
- Organise site surveys
- Engage with councils & other organisations
- Contractor engagement & supervision
Quality Control
Maintaining high standards
- Surveys and monitoring
- Risk Assessment
- Regular site checks
- Liaison with contractors
- Engagement of specialist providers
Funding & Grants
Finding a way forward
Our experience includes funding applications and managing budgets.
Present funding opportunities include:
- Scottish Government Nature Restoration Fund (NRF)
- Peatland ACTION
- FIRNS – The Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland
Wider Community Engagement
Business and community
- Feasibility studies
- Educational publications
- Professional guidance notes
- Liaise with illustrators
- Steering committees
- Small scale demos and events
Land and Habitats Core Team
Working together to create resilient landscapes
Andrew McBride CEnv.MCIEEM / Principal Consultant
Andrew specialises in restoring and peatlands and wetlands. His experience spans over 30 years, working both as a private consultant and as a wetland and then peatland advisor for NatureScot. As a private consultant, he provides advice to whisky distillers, businesses and organisations across Scotland.
Whilst at NatureScot, he advised on windfarms, roads infrastructure (including the Queensferry Crossing and Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route), agri-environment schemes, including habitat and species management, scientific research and habitat restoration.
Andrew contributed to the development of Scotland’s National Peatland Strategy and established the Scottish Government-funded Peatland ACTION programme. Hewas the Chief Editor of the Fen Management Handbook.
In addition, Andrew has experience of surveying and managing species rich meadows and native woodlands, including juniper in the Scottish Borders.
Ellen McBride Managing Director / Consultant
Over 28 years, Ellen has engaged with ecologists, clients, businesses and communities. She regularly visits sites to maintain a realistic overview and considers it essential to have an interest in strategy, communication and schedule planning, for sound decision making and creating optimum outcomes.
Ellen has interviewed businesses and communities to write feasibility reports and educational publications. She edits and proof-reads the reports and publications produced by Land & Habitats Consultancy and has organised demonstrations to showcase conversation techniques.
For a number of years, Ellen coordinated 'The Living Garden' at Scotland’s Garden Show (Ingliston), for NatureScot and the Scottish Government. The Living Garden was a tented area with a show garden and workshops, where NGOs and businesses could share ideas and advice with the gardening public.
Ellen studied Industrial Design (Textiles) at Heriot Watt University, gaining technical skills, with a creative twist and the ability to write specifications. Prior to this she studied commercial horticulture, bee keeping, rural science and botany at Pershore College of Horticulture.
To contact us - please email:
hq@landandhabitats.co.uk
We provide an introductory meeting.
When contacting us, the following information is always helpful:
- Project size
- Location
- Timescales
Thank you for visiting our website
Resources
Additional information
Project Information: Peatland Action
Video: What wetlands can do for you (SNH/NatureScot)
Video: Peatland Restoration in Scotland (SNH/NatureScot)
Video: The Importance of Scotland Peatlands (SNH/NatureScot)
Video: How ‘sinks’ regulate the climate (CNN)