Fifteen years of fieldwork, research, and meaningful partnerships with the land and its people.
We founded glade-ocelot because we saw too many environmental assessments being done wrong. Quick desktop studies, generic species lists, tick-box compliance. That approach fails both developers and ecosystems.
Our team includes specialists in ornithology, herpetology, marine biology, botany, and restoration ecology. We recruit from research institutions and national parks—people who chose science because they care about outcomes, not just outputs.
In 2009, three ecologists met during a koala survey in Far North Queensland. Nights around the campfire revealed a shared frustration: the disconnect between academic research and commercial environmental work.
Academic research produces rigorous, peer-reviewed knowledge but rarely influences development decisions directly. Commercial consulting produces reports that influence decisions but often lacks scientific depth. We set out to bridge that gap.
The first glade-ocelot office was a converted garage in Cairns. Our first client was a sugarcane farmer who wanted to convert degraded paddocks back to rainforest. Sixteen years later, that same site hosts three species that weren't recorded there before European settlement.
We never downplay findings to suit client preferences. Our reputation depends on telling the truth about what we observe, even when it complicates project timelines.
Identifying problems is easy. We focus on finding workable paths forward that protect ecological values while enabling sustainable development.
Ecosystems operate on decades-long timescales. We design monitoring programs and restoration plans that will still be relevant when the next generation inherits our work.
Traditional owners hold thousands of years of ecological knowledge. We learn from them, share resources with local conservation groups, and prioritize hiring from regional communities.
Founding Director, Ornithologist
Operations Director, Marine Biologist
Technical Director, Restoration Ecologist
Client Services Director, Botanist
Working with glade-ocelot changed how we approach development entirely. They showed us that good environmental outcomes and profitable projects aren't mutually exclusive—they're actually connected.
Whether you're planning a development, managing a conservation property, or seeking compliance guidance, we're here to help you find the right path forward.