Ecological Services
ECS provides a variety of assessments to help our clients navigate the abundant and diverse wildlife found throughout the state of Florida. ECS works with clients throughout every stage of their project to identify any threatened or endangered species and to develop and implement solutions that are environmentally sustainable and coincide with state and federal law.
Wildlife Assessments we provide include the following:
Listed Species Survey
ECS's Environmental and Ecological scientists are highly educated and trained in Florida's fauna and flora to accurately assess for listed species and critical habitat.
Gopher Tortoise Surveys
In Florida, the gopher tortoise is listed as Threatened. Both the tortoise and its burrow are protected under state law. Gopher tortoises must be relocated before any land clearing or development takes place.
Gopher Tortoise Relocation
ECS has 6 authorized gopher tortoise agents, capable of capturing and relocating gopher tortoises. ECS will obtain permits from the FWC on behalf of our clients. We also manage 8 gopher tortoise recipient sites.
Bald Eagle Surveys / Monitoring
The bald eagle is protected by both the FWC and the USFWS. No land clearing or developments is allowed within 660 feet of an eagle's nest during nesting season, October 1st - May 15th, without a take permit and monitoring of the eagles by trained biologist during that time period.
Florida Scrub Jay Surveys
The Florida scrub-jay is the only species of bird that is endemic to Florida, which means it is found nowhere else. They are protected by both the FWC and the USFWS. These agencies may require a scrub jay survey if a property contains suitable scrub jay habitat, and/ or lies within the FWC consultation area, and/or near known sightings of these birds.
Southeastern American Kestrel Surveys
The Southeastern American Kestrel are protected by both the FWC and the USFWS. These agencies may require a kestrel survey if a property contains suitable kestrel habitat, and/ or lies within the USFWS consultation area, and/or are sighted during an environmental site assessment.
Audobons Crested Caracara Surveys
The caracara is listed as a Threatened species by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commision (FFWCC). If a project occurs within the USFWS Consultation Area for caracaras, and suitable habitat is present, then it is presumed the habitat is occupied and activities in this area may affect the caracara. In this case a caracara nest survey will confirm whether or not caracaras nest on the property
Burrowing Owl Surveys
Burrowing owls are small, unusual owls that nest in underground burrows instead of trees. The Florida burrowing owl is classified as State Threatened by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC). In Florida, they may be found throughout Florida, primarily in the central and southern parts of the peninsula. State and local agencies may require a burrowing owl survey if a property contains suitable habitat, and/ or lies within the USFWS consultation area, and/or are sighted during an environmental site assessment.
Sand Skink Surveys
The sand skink (Neoseps reynoldsi) is listed as threatened by both USFWS and FWC. Sand skinks are endemic to xeric habitats found along Central Florida sand ridges, and remnants of ancient coastal dunes created during events when sea levels rose and fell. The USFWS guidelines require surveys to be performed only during March 01st through May 15th.
Wading Bird Surveys
Prior to construction, a wading bird nest survey conducted during the breeding season (March to August) may be required by USFWS or FWC to determine if listed wading birds are nesting within projects wetland habitat. If nesting is identified, the project may be required to maintain a 328-foot buffer around any found nest during the nesting season.
Florida Shore birds & sea birds Surveys/Monitoring
There are twenty species of shorebirds and seabirds that nest in Florida. Some of these species are also listed as State Threatened due to population declines. Prior to construction in/near coastal areas, a nesting bird survey may be required by USFWS/FWC.
Florida Bonneted Bat Surveys
the Florida bonneted bat (Eumops floridanus), a federally endangered found nowhere in the world but south and central Florida. It is surmised that they occur in just 14 counties: Miami - Dade, Monroe, Broward, Collier, Hendry, Lee, Glades, Charlotte, Okeechobee, Highlands, Desoto, Sarasota, Osceola, and Polk.
Red-cockaded woodpeckers (RCW)
RWCs have been a federally protected endangered species since 1970, they are endangered (USFWS) and endangered (FWC). RWCs are found throughout Florida, with the largest concentrations in the south-central and southern portions of the state. In 2006, FWC began a statewide RCW Safe Harbor Program. The goal of the program is to help conserve the RCW through partnerships with private landowners, which has many benefits to landowners. ECS has qualified biologists to guide clients wishing to add lands to the RCW Safe Harbor program through the permitting process.
Submerged vegetation Surveys (SAV) & Monitoring
Benthic/submerged aquatic vegetation is an ecologically valuable natural resourse. Here in Florida seagrasses are deemed essential to our Oceans, gulfs, estuaries, and shorelines. Hence, these natural resources are managed and regulated by the state, including FDEP. Agencies require reasonable assurance that permitted activities will not adversely affect the habitat of fish, wildlife, & listed species. If impacts to SAV are unavoidable, then surveys are required to provide the necessary information to the regulatory gencies.