Local expertise, global impact: Edge Hill's EcoEdge set to drive green solutions

Edge Hill University’s EcoEdge launches on World Environment Day to empower organisations to make sustainable decisions.

 EcoEdge is a new environmental consultancy from Edge Hill University, offering high-quality, data-driven solutions for sustainable land and water management.

 Academics from the Biosciences and Geosciences departments will actively bridge the gap between scientific expertise and real-world application by offering support to organisations, government bodies, charities and water companies.

 The team are already working with Preston City Council to assess Lancashire food producers’ ability to meet the needs of the population and land conflicts in the county.

 Dr Janet Richardson, senior lecturer in Earth Sciences and key academic in the consultancy, said: “EcoEdge’s multidisciplinary team of physical and social scientists will provide expertise to help stakeholders achieve their environmental goals in areas including flood reduction, improving water quality and increasing biodiversity.

 “By working with stakeholders, we want our research and consultancy experience to provide on-the-ground-impact and to make a demonstrable difference to our local area.”

As an environmental consultancy, EcoEdge at Edge Hill University will provide the scientific insight and strategic guidance needed to tackle today’s most pressing ecological and environmental threats.

Driving this initiative is a consultancy team of three academics: Dr. Janet Richardson; Dr Nathan Thomas, senior lecturer in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing; and Dr. Sven Batke, Reader in Plant Sciences.

Dr Batke added: "Threats to biodiversity and conflicting interests in land use, especially in the North West of England - which has been described as the ‘salad bowl’ of the UK for food production - provide landowners and managers with conservation challenges.

 “Our team can provide solutions that are grounded in a current need to protect our natural resources."

 EcoEdge delivers tailored consultancy services, including:

•  habitat and biodiversity assessments
•  ecological and environmental surveys
•  water quality monitoring and catchment management
•  GIS mapping and advanced modelling
•  drone surveys and remote data collection.

Dr Thomas added: "We have access to a range of advanced equipment, such as drones and terrestrial laser scanners, to collect accurate digital field data which, in addition to satellite data analysis, will inform the expertise we use to support our collaborators."

 Additionally, EcoEdge provides continuing professional development (CPD) training to support organisations in strengthening their environmental understanding and practical skills.

 Find out more about Edge Hill’s full range of business and industry consultancy services, including Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, bespoke CPD and the Behaviour Data Service.