Ecological strategy and planning
We develop plans and strategies that help our clients understand the risks their activities pose on ecological assets, and help them plan for their conservation and restoration. Our primary focus is on addressing the landscape impacts of climate change and aligning our solutions with the relevant policy and planning levers.
Urban biodiversity planning
Spatial optimisation for reserve planning
EcoFutures, along with our sister company Mosaic Insights, is experienced at drawing meaningful demographic insights and statistics from their analysis to inform biodiversity, open space, and reserve planning strategies. Using sophisticated image processing and classification algorithms (including machine learning) and spectral analysis techniques, we extract valuable information about land cover and land use change, vegetation health, urban development and surface water. We leverage GIS software, cloud platforms and scientific programming libraries (Python and R) to generate novel insights about the landscape. We know what works and what doesn’t, and select the tool that offers our clients the most value.
Integrated Catchment Management Planning
EcoFutures works with the other companies across the Alluvium Group to provide integrated catchment management planning. We recognise that sustainable use of catchments requires consideration of the social, ecological, cultural and economic services catchments provide. We have deep expertise in establishing catchment values, water resource planning, stakeholder engagement, sustainable development, and policy analysis. Our skills span ecological assessments, hydrological modeling, risk assessment, project management, and regulatory compliance. We excel in data analysis, innovative problem-solving, and communication to balance ecological, social and economic considerations in water systems.
Invasive Species Planning and Management
We are experienced in invasive species planning and management. We understand that, along with habitat destruction and modification, invasive plants and animals are among the key drivers of the decline and extinction of native biodiversity, and the collapse of ecosystems. As ecologists with a focus on landscape-scale dynamics, we are cognisant of the challenges of effectively coordinating management of invasive species and their impacts across large open spaces. Our approach to invasive species management is always based on asset protection, where targeted actions with the right timing, scale and method is typically the most effective response.
Industry leadership
Our industry leaders are known for their deep expertise and knowledge in their field. They bring a thorough understanding of industry trends, technologies and best practices.
Dr Andrew Sharpe
Andrew is an aquatic ecologist with over 30 years of experience spanning academia, government, and environmental consulting. He specialises in freshwater ecology, with a strong focus on landscape-scale environmental issues and the integration of science into practical water management.<br><br>Andrew has led numerous monitoring and research programs, with particular expertise in environmental water management, project design, and ecological assessment. His work bridges hydrology, geomorphology, and the ecological needs of freshwater species.<br><br>Over his career, he has contributed to more than 200 consulting projects, published in peer-reviewed journals, and held leadership roles in major water management programs, including at the Victorian Environmental Water Holder.
Dr Ben Gawne
Ben Gawne is a freshwater ecologist with extensive experience generating, synthesising and communicating knowledge to support the adaptive management of water resources. For over 25 years Ben has collaborated in the planning, implementation and evaluation of significant river restoration initiatives including the Living Murray and the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. For much of his career he led a research joint venture between the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), Commonwealth Government CSIRO and La Trobe University. He subsequently led planning and implementation of the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder’s long-term intervention monitoring project that involved collaboration among six multi-disciplinary teams across the Basin. Ben also led the 2020 Basin Plan evaluation for the MDBA. Prior to joining the MDBA, Ben held academic appointments with the University of Canberra, La Trobe University and CSIRO where he led and collaborated in applied research designed to improve manager’s capacity to effectively and efficiently restore the rivers, floodplains and wetlands of the Murray-Darling Basin. These roles included participation in the application of the best available science to the planning, monitoring and evaluation of environmental flows and ecosystem condition.
Dr Paul Maxwell
General Manager – EcoFutures
Paul is a coastal ecologist and natural resource management specialist with 20 years experience working for state government, universities and not-for-profit organisations. He has had extensive experience in developing and implementing environmental, social and economic monitoring and research programs across Australia for local councils, natural resource management organisations and water utilities. He is an experienced project manager in the fields of coastal habitat management and assessment; water quality and river health management; water resource management; monitoring and evaluation; science translation and communication and stakeholder and community engagement.<br><br>Paul is the Research and Development lead for Alluvium. Throughout his career he has focused on developing better links between the best science and practitioners and has maintained an active research profile by partnering with university and industry researchers nationally and internationally. He has been involved in a diverse range of research projects which has led to extensive publications in top-tier journals in the fields of environmental management, ecological resilience, biodiversity conservation, environmental chemistry and marine and freshwater ecology. His research and monitoring outputs have directly influenced state and local government policies.
More EcoFutures capabilities
Conservation planning and nature positive
We deliver true integration of ecological science and economic thinking to help understand and resolve the most complex and pressing conservation challenges.
Ecological monitoring
Our team has extensive experience in developing and implementing ecological monitoring programs.
Ecological restoration
We seek to understand the landscape scale patterns and linkages between ecological components and identify key ecological processes that are present or that can be restored to enhance the ecological function.