Meet our Director of Ecology

Val Gateley recently joined Land Studio to head up our new Ecology design and management division.

Our new service offers clients a wide range of ecological services including Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments in support of their projects.

Below is a Q&A with Val, who has over 16 years of experience as an ecologist, including specialist knowledge in habitat survey and assessment.

How did you become an ecologist?

Ecology must be in my blood because my dad is a retired ecologist and botanist, after originally training as a landscape architect. During the 1980s he worked as a ranger on the Sefton coast and I loved going out and about with him when I was growing up in Lancashire. As a student, I did an Environmental Science degree at Edge Hill University in Ormskirk before entering the profession.

What do you find interesting about the job?

Growing up with someone fascinated by nature, my dad instilled in me a love of botany and habitats and, especially, coastal habitats. I enjoy exploring a variety of habitats and finding species and other things that people might not have spotted. I’ve been to places where I’ve come across interesting flora, hidden glacial ponds and old hedge laying going back centuries.

What’s great about working with Land Studio is that an ecological outlook is firmly embedded at the start of any project and can help to inform the design process, while also protecting and enhancing the environment.

How is Land Studio doing ecology differently?

I think it’s great that Land Studio has brought landscape architecture, ecology and sustainable drainage design all together under one roof. It makes complete sense to have a streamlined approach and to work collaboratively together. We’re a good team. If I specify a wetland habitat for a scheme, Lisa, our Civil Engineer, knows best where it should go and how it will work and our landscape architects consider the most effective design and planting schemes.

How do you relax outside of work?

I used to play rugby, although that has dwindled since my son Isaac was born. Now I watch the rugby instead and remember the days when I played against a few Fijian players – they were not fun to tackle.

Now I enjoy family days out, camping when we can, some nice meals out and a walk with the dog around where we live in a little village in West Lancashire.

• If you’d like to find out more about our Ecology service offering please email Val or call him on 01244 319019.