Our new Director of Ecology

Lyn Pearce is our new Director of Ecology. Below you can find out more about her.

What attracted you to an ecology career? From a young age my parents took me to zoos and wildlife parks and we went on lots of walks in the woods. I think that’s why I’ve always enjoyed animals and being out in nature. I did a Zoology degree at the University of Leeds and followed it up with a Masters in Conservation and Biodiversity.

Tell us a bit about you: Like most ecologists, I started as a field surveyor. I’ve also been a volunteer for the RSPB helping them with bird ringing in a nature reserve and a clough monitoring project on the cliffs in Cornwall. My work took me to Poland for a few months where I was involved with radio tracking wild boar and bison – the data was used to help inform their protection. I’ve also worked as a tree surgeon (and married one!) and for the Bat Conservation Trust. For the last five years I’ve been managing regional teams of ecologists across the UK.

What do you like about Land Studio? I love that we’re a close-knit team of ecologists, landscape architects and civil engineers and that we all work collaboratively. Working together in this way is great for the client as they have a joined-up approach, and we can ensure that ecology and biodiversity are seamlessly integrated from the early concept and design stage. It helps us to deliver more efficient, cost-effective solutions for our clients.

How do you relax outside of work: I play the guitar and the piano and, when on holiday, love surfing in Cornwall. But the best way to relax is spending time with my daughter – and I love taking her to the places I enjoyed as a child.  

Ask Lyn about:

• Early-stage ecological advice to support site selection, layout and planning.
• Specialist expertise in Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) to enhance sustainability.
• Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA) for informed decision-making.
• Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRA) to ensure conservation and compliance.

Lyn’s tips on how to incorporate more biodiversity into a scheme

• Prioritise species-rich native planting that not only benefits local wildlife but also enhances visual appeal of the space (e.g. scented / fruit bearing trees).
• Move away from rigid hardscaping and embrace flexible, low- maintenance landscapes that feel more open and natural (e.g. relaxed mowing areas).
• Reuse natural waste material such as rubble and logs to create habitat for insects and animals, reducing reliance on artificial biodiversity enhancements and improving sustainability.
• Retain and strengthen natural linear habitats. Minimising light spill and incorporating natural screening helps wildlife thrive, while creating calm, peaceful spaces for people to enjoy.
• By capturing and reusing water we aim to recharge the groundwater, reuse water within our buildings and landscapes, ensure water is captured for nature to reuse and provide wellbeing opportunities within traditionally hard engineered spaces.