CORE TEAM
MICHAEL KURS
DIRECTOR/PRINCIPAL ECOLOGIST
Michael graduated from John Moore’s University in 2004 with a BSc (Hons) in Zoology, going on to undertake an MSc in Restoration of Ecological and Terrestrial Environments in 2006. Michael first got involved with ecology in 1999 where he aided in salmonid restoration schemes on the West Coast of the Highlands and Islands, whilst running a commercial salmon hatchery in Wester Ross. Since then Michael has specialised in freshwater fisheries management and restoration amongst other ecological disciplines. In 2007 Michael began work at a national multi-disciplinary consultancy as an ecological consultant where he spent three formative years. From there Michael went on to form SK Environmental Solutions Limited with his co-owner and founding member Rebecca Shelton.
Michael specialises in freshwater and ornithological projects within SK, although he also works directly on a variety of other project work including Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) and protected species surveys and mitigation work.
Michael has worked on a wide variety of development sites including wind, hydro, commercial / residential development and minerals sites. Michael has acted an Ecological Clerk of Works on an array of projects including great crested newt mitigation schemes, pipeline remediation projects for freshwater constraints and commercial / residential development projects primarily for bird issues.
Michael works closely with Ash Bennett, an associate ecologist to SK, for United Utilities undertaking electro-fishing on a wide variety of sites.
REBECCA SHELTON
DIRECTOR/PRINCIPAL ECOLOGIST
Rebecca is a founding member of the practice and co-owner. Rebecca graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2005 with a BA(Hons) in Zoology and joined a national multi-disciplinary consultancy as an ecological consultancy the same year. Since then Rebecca has honed her ecological consultancy skills, forming SK Environmental Solutions Limited with her co-owner and business partner Michael Kurs.
Rebecca has a wide array of ecological skills, specialising in a number of areas including National Vegetation Classification, great crested newt licensing and mitigation as well as Ecological Impact Assessment and mitigation enhancement and design.
Rebecca currently holds three EPS mitigation licences for great crested newts and has been approached by Natural England to apply to be one of only a small number of consultants nationwide who will be able to apply for the new low impact licence for great crested newts.
Rebecca has project managed project for a wide variety of sectors including minerals, the commercial / residential sector and renewables.
EMMA JENNINGS
ECOLOGIST
Emma joined the practice in 2015. With a background in arboriculture, Emma graduated from the University of Central Lancashire in 2005 before completing an MSc at University of Lancaster in 2009.
Emma has a broad range of ecological surveying skills allowing her to assess development sites from a number of different perspectives. Emma holds a number of licences and certificates for climbing.
Emma has undertaken work on projects for encompassing many different development sectors in her time at a Local Authority, multi-disciplinary consultancies and operating as a sole trader before joining SK in 2015.
JOE WISEMAN
ECOLOGIST
Joe first worked for SK as an intern in the summer of 2019 after the position was advertised by the Factulty of Science and Technology at Lancaster University. He then continued to work for the company on a zero-hours basis while he completed his degree, eventually finishing an MSci in Environmental Science in 2020. Following this, Joe became a full-time member of the team in Spring 2021.
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Joe has a keen interest in birds and has applied this knowledge to a number of SK projects. He continues to develop his skills across the other areas of ecology in which the company works.
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Out of the office, Joe enjoys the local pub quiz with friends and exploring his local patch in South Cumbria.
BRIDIE HAMILTON
ECOLOGIST
Bridie first worked for SK in Spring 2021, undertaking Great Crested Newt Surveys in Wales. Following a vacancy arising that summer, she became a permanent member of the team. Bridie graduated from Sheffield University in 2018 with a BSc in Environmental Science before completing an MSc in Environmental Management the following year. Alongside her work with SK, she is also working on a PhD, studying bogs in the British uplands, at Sheffield Hallam University.
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Bridie particularly enjoys working with newts and bats, areas in which she has experience from previous work with other firms.
Originally from Sheffield, Bridie moved to Cumbria to better serve her love of the outdoors and is likely to be found running, climbing or wild swimming somewhere in the Lake District several times a week.
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FINN
Finn has been working with SK Environmental since June 2015. His main role is to help our hard-working staff relax during their time in the office.
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In Finn's spare time Finn loves nothing better than going for walks and chasing rabbits.