About Us
aLyne Ecology Ltd., began as the London & South East office of Acorn Ecology, which was established by Sarah Lyne CEnv BSc (Hons) MCIEEM and Sue Searle BSc PGDip MCIEEM in April 2014. Sarah quickly established a portfolio of loyal clients and the office expanded, moving to a large cabin in Sarah’s garden in Bookham, Surrey near Leatherhead in December 2018. Sarah took the London & South East office of Acorn Ecology under her own company name of aLyne Ecology Ltd. in May 2019, with Martin Roche (Senior Ecologist) and Josh Brown (Ecologist) as the core team. In 2023, Lucie Bloomfield (Assistant Ecologist) also joined the team. aLyne Ecology is also supported by Charlie Gardiner, Nick Gray (Gray’s Ecology), Lyndon Roberts (Alar Ecology Limited), and a team of experienced bat surveyors in the survey season. We are also joined by two dachshunds, a chihuahua, two Yorkshire terriers, one cat, and six chickens, who help to reduce stress and make us laugh!
We believe that aLyne Ecology differs from other small ecological consultancies, in that we can swiftly mobilise ecologists, using the most up-to-date survey equipment from our highly organised office. We can offer a turnaround on protected species reports of 3 to 5 working days following completion of the survey. We have a wealth of expertise in a comprehensive range of ecological survey and assessment techniques, compliant with current best practice and survey standards set out by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and British Standards (BS) 42020 Biodiversity – a code of practice for planning and development.
The dedicated, reliable, and friendly team at aLyne Ecology are committed to delivering a bespoke service, which is within our client’s budget and timescale. Sarah’s commitment to her team and clients means that she makes herself available 7 days a week to answer queries and quote for new projects. We look forward to hearing from you!
Sarah Lyne CEnv BSc (Hons) MCIEEM. Managing Director. Principal Ecologist.
Sarah has worked full-time as an ecological consultant for over 20 years and is a Chartered Environmentalist (Society for the Environment) and a full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. Sarah has extensive experience in all methods of habitat and protected species surveys, Ecological Impact Assessment, Habitat Regulations Assessment, ecological input into supplementary planning guidance, preparation of local biodiversity action plans, mitigation and management strategies, habitat creation and enhancement and European Protected Species License applications. Sarah holds Natural England Class Licences for bats and great crested newts.
In her spare time, she enjoys going for long walks in the countryside with her dogs, practicing yoga, gardening, and tending to her Bantam chickens. She has a bat carers licence that she uses to look after injured bats, and occasionally fosters dogs rescued from puppy farms for a local dog rescue charity.
Martin Roche BSc (Hons) ACIEEM. Senior Ecologist.
Martin graduated with a degree in Zoology with honours from Royal Holloway University of London in 2015. After working different jobs involving dogs, fish, and reptiles, Martin wanted to pursue a career in ecology and enrolled onto the Acorn Ecology Certificate in Ecological Consultancy PLUS in 2017.
He now works full time at aLyne Ecology as a Senior Ecologist and is an Associate member of Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. Martin has had extensive experience conducting habitat surveys and protected species surveys. Martin holds NE licences for great crested newts and dormice and is currently working towards obtaining his bat licences.
In his spare time, Martin keeps tropical fish and a leopard gecko as well as going on country walks with his dog. Martin has a National Dormouse Monitoring Program site in association with the Surrey Dormouse Group and has completed a twenty-week bee-keeping course.
Josh Brown BSc (Hons). Senior Ecologist.
Josh graduated with a degree in Ecology with honours from Royal Holloway University of London in 2018. Josh started a work placement with Acorn Ecology. He continued his training with aLyne Ecology whilst also volunteering with Knepp Rewilding Estate.
Josh has been an Ecologist with aLyne Ecology since 2019 and has gained extensive experience in surveying for protected species including great crested newts, reptiles, bats, and dormice. Josh also has a bird ringing license, which he exercises with Papercourt Bird Ringing Group on his weekends. They visit several different sites in the local area, but favour the site with vast reed beds due to its exciting diversity and abundance of birds.
When he is not ringing birds in his spare time, he enjoys playing football and going on country walks with his dog.
Lucie Bloomfield BA (Hons). Assistant Ecologist.
Lucie graduated with a degree in Religions, Philosophies, and Ethics from Bath Spa University in 2021, having specialised in environmental philosophy. After a month as a voluntary research assistant on a conservation project, Lucie started an internship with aLyne Ecology in October 2022. She has gained experience in surveys for protected species including reptiles, bats, and dormice. Now, she is an Assistant Ecologist at aLyne Ecology.
Lucie spends her spare time growing vegetables and cooking them, with varying degrees of success. She also volunteers with Bat Conservation Trust and is an advisor for a community engagement forum for CICs and charities in her local area.
Charlie Gardiner BSc (Hons). Ecologist.
Charlie graduated with a degree in Wildlife Ecology Conservation from Sparsholt College in 2018. Charlie has over 7 years experience in ecological consultancy and has worked for a number of consultancies in the south east of England, and has worked for aLyne Ecology part-time since 2021.
Charlie considers himself a 'jack of all trades' in ecology and has worked on a great variety of projects from film sets to large-scale development sites. Charlie manages projects from the intial stages to final mitigation phases. Charlie has his great crested newt licence from Natural England and is working towards his licences for rare reptiles and bats.
In his spare time, Charlie is a keen railway enthusiast and is often working on his model railway and visitng heritage lines. Charlie is also a volunteer with his local amphibian, reptile, and bat groups in Surrey and Hampshire.
Nick Gray BSc (Hons) ACIEEM. Senior Ecologist.
Following a 16 year career in the aviation industry, Nick completed a degree in Natural Sciences with Biology through the Open University. With tailored support from Acorn Ecology Training, he then moved into a new career in ecology. Nick was a member of the London & South East team of Acorn Ecology since summer 2016 and has been working with the aLyne Ecology team since 2019.
Nick holds Natural England protected species licences for dormice, great crested newts, and a Class 2 licence for Bats.
In his spare time, Nick is a volunteer with local wildlife conservation teams including being a committee member for Sussex Bat Group. He enjoys reading, walking, sailing, and historical re-enactment.
