From a young age, Andrew has always been drawn to the natural world. His curiosity about plants, animals, and ecosystems set him on a path that would become a 15‑year career in ecology, conservation, and environmental consulting.
Originally from Sydney, Andrew studied a Bachelor of Science in Biodiversity Conservation at Macquarie University, followed by a Master’s in Wildlife Conservation. Along the way, he worked with multiple universities across Australia and volunteered extensively on threatened species research – both marine and terrestrial – to better understand where he wanted to take his career.
“I realised pretty early on that research wasn’t where I wanted to stay long‑term,” Andrew says. “I wanted to be a practitioner – someone applying ecological knowledge on the ground.”
That decision led him into consulting, initially on the Gold Coast and later across Queensland. Over the years, Andrew’s career has spanned consulting, land management, ranger work, and conservation, including time with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Australia Zoo’s Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Cape York – a 335,000‑acre conservation property roughly the size of the City of Brisbane – Andrew worked as a ranger, managing land purely for conservation outcomes. The experience deepened his understanding of how large, complex landscapes function and reinforced the importance of practical, well‑designed environmental outcomes.
Another of Andrew’s most memorable experiences came during this time, when he and his wife lived in a tent on a national park in Cape York for over a year while she completed her PhD.
“It was an incredible adventure,” he says. “Living and working in that environment gives you a completely different perspective – not just on ecology, but on land management, resilience, and what conservation looks like at scale.”
Why e2m?
Eventually, Andrew returned to consulting, bringing with him a rare depth of field experience and a holistic understanding of ecology, offsets, and client needs. By this stage, he had already established himself in the offsets space, working on impact assessments, rehabilitation projects, and species mitigation across Queensland.
Now three months into his role as Principal Offsets Ecologist at e2m, Andrew provides technical leadership across the offsets team. His focus includes reviewing offset monitoring reports, guiding strategy, supporting habitat suitability assessments, and mentoring team members at all levels.
“What stood out to me immediately was how professional and structured e2m is,” he says. “The communication, the systems, the consistency – it’s refreshing. The emphasis on regular check‑ins and collaboration really sets e2m apart from more traditional consultancies.”
“My role is about providing confidence – for the team and for clients,” he explains. “Offsets are complex and constantly evolving, especially with EPBC reforms. Having lived experience helps us pivot when things change and make smarter, more defensible decisions.”
Andrew draws on this experience to improve offset suitability, manage risk, and deliver long‑term outcomes.
“I see a big part of our role as education,” he says. “Helping clients understand offsets, navigate change, and avoid the pitfalls we’ve learned from over the years.”
Outside of work
Outside the office, Andrew is a dad of two, an avid gardener, hiker, photographer, and keen bird‑watcher – a self‑described “nature nerd.” While travel for birding has taken a back seat in recent years, his passion for the environment remains central to both his work and personal life.
“At the heart of it, we’re all here because we care about nature,” Andrew says. “That shared passion is what makes this work meaningful.”
