Wilson Ecological Consulting has a diverse clientele representing a variety of client types. In some instances, Wilson Ecological Consulting works as a sub-consultant to another firm (architect, engineer, or surveyor) but in many circumstances Wilson Ecological Consulting works directly for the client as the prime contractor. When necessary, Wilson Ecological Consulting will sub-contract specialized services to other consulting firms, such as minor engineering assignments. Some examples of recent projects completed by Wilson Ecological Consulting are summarized below.
Wilson Ecological Consulting performed a botanical survey on an approximately 13-acre parcel located in eastern Pennsylvania. The survey was determined necessary because about ten acres of the site is expected to be disturbed for construction of a restaurant and a known population of prickly-pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa) is located on a neighboring parcel. Prickly-pear cactus is a Pennsylvania state-listed Rare species. The survey was conducted over the course of two consecutive days and at a time of year when prickly-pear cacti would be easily identifiable. Timed-meander surveys were conducted to inventory botanical species of the site and plot surveys were conducted to describe the various habitats of the site. The survey documented 116 vascular plant species and four habitat types in the project area. No prickly-pear cacti were identified at the site, but the population on the neighboring parcel was visible from the property line. A report was prepared that included Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion sections as well as mapping and color photographs. The report recommended buffering all earth disturbances near the prickly-pear cacti population on the neighboring parcel by at least 100 feet. The report was approved by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources such that the client could proceed with site development plans while at the same time protecting the nearby rare plant population.
Gypsy Moth Egg Mass Surveys
Wilson Ecological Consulting performed a gypsy moth egg mass survey for a municipality located in central Pennsylvania. The survey took place on 16 different publicly-owned (municipal, home-owners association, or school district) parcels totaling about 462 acres. The survey approach followed guidelines and methods developed by the U.S. Forest Service and was consistent with current survey practices performed by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on state-owned lands in Pennsylvania. Data was collected from 1/40th acre plots (n=216) and included counts of all “new” and “old” gypsy moth egg masses. The survey was conducted in the fall, when that season’s egg masses would be visible. Results were converted to mean number of “new” egg masses per acre and statistically analyzed to the 95% confidence interval. A report was prepared that included Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion sections as well as mapping and color photographs. The report recommended the treatment of three of the parcels where gypsy moth caterpillar populations appear to be dense enough to result in tree damage the following year. The client used the results of the study to secure a contract with a licensed pesticide applicator for control spraying by aircraft the following spring.
Wilson Ecological Consulting works routinely with organizations issuing carbon credit payments for maintaining healthy forests. Specifically, WEC routinely performs baseline forest metric data collection for enrollment/planning purposes, monitoring plot data collection for evaluation, and the preparation of forest management plans. Typically, enrollment/planning and monitoring data is collected from both variable- and fixed-radius plots and include standard measurements of species, diameter, height, and related variables. Forest management plans are prepared following standard protocols outlined by various entities like the American Tree Farm System, U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. WEC performs these types of services for organizations that offer carbon credits to both private and municipal landowners.
Wildlife Inventory
Wilson Ecological Consulting performed small mammal and avian inventories for a client located in central Pennsylvania. The purpose of the study was to evaluate these wildlife assemblages before and after forest management activities. Specifically, inventories were conducted at the approximately 23-acre site several years ago while habitat was a red pine plantation, and the inventories were then repeated several years after the red pines were harvested and the site was converted into a successional dry white pine – oak forest. Small mammal surveys were conducted under the guidelines of a permit issued by the PA Game Commission and included both live-trapping and pitfall-trapping. Avian surveys were conducted through point counts where visually observed and audibly-recognized species were identified. Avian calls were recorded for a set period of time during each data collection event and the recorded calls were listed to in the office and spectrograms of the calls were viewed on a computer to assist in species identification. Results of the study were summarized in a report that included Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion sections as well as mapping and color photographs. The study documented seven small mammal and 45 avian species, with an approximately 3X increase in both avian and small mammal species richness when comparing red pine plantation habitat to successional dry white pine – oak forest habitat. Thus, the study demonstrates that the forest management activities have benefited local wildlife populations.