Building Expertise from the Inside Out:
At E2M, we believe training is central to delivering quality work, staying ahead of change, and supporting the next generation of environmental professionals.
We recently sat down with Principal Ecologist Peter Wagner, who’s leading the charge on training and development, to understand how E2M is putting this commitment into action.
“Training has two goals,” Peter explained. “One is about developing people – especially young professionals. The other is about evolving how we work. We’re always integrating new tools, methods and thinking, so training helps us stay aligned, efficient and effective.”
Quality Through Consistency
With projects ranging from habitat assessments to biodiversity offsets to monitoring and compliance programs, consistency and quality are critical. That’s where our value of pristine comes in – we care about the details, never settle for “near enough,” and always push for better.
That’s why E2M is investing in formalising core training programs around regional ecosystem identification and mapping, habitat quality assessment, and field data collection using technologies like esri field maps and drones.
“We’ve always trained on the job, pairing experienced team members with grads or early-career professionals. That hands-on learning is gold -but we also need structure, especially as we continue to grow,” said Peter. “We have a commitment to consistency – ensuring everyone is using the same methods and achieving the same high standard.”
Supporting Curiosity, Encouraging Growth
Peter and the leadership team are also focused on balancing technical training with the soft skills that make for strong consultants – things like communication, collaboration, and personal brand.
“We bring in Organisational Development Consultant – Belinda Winks to run sessions -such as personal brand workshops -where team members explore their individual strengths, learn how to work better with others, and develop the confidence to lead in their own way,” Peter explained.
By creating space for self-awareness and collaboration, E2M is embedding a growth mindset across the business – one that supports initiative, strong working relationships, and a culture of continuous improvement.
Looking Ahead
“We want people to be curious, ask questions, and keep growing. It’s how we keep the culture light and the work sharp,” Peter said.
When team members identify a gap or see potential for growth, they’re encouraged to speak up.
“A great example is Matt’s drone training,” Peter noted. “It started with his interest and has now grown into a formal program. He’s helping upskill the team and build capability in emerging tools that improve accuracy and efficiency across large-scale projects.”
This culture of shared learning keeps E2M moving forward – not just with new technologies, but also in the way we work together and deliver value to clients.