Ray's Environmental Services
I offer a wide range of environmental services focusing on research, survey and monitoring of endangered birds and invasive species. This includes feasibility studies for bird recovery, invasive species management and capacity building to help restore ecosystems and endangered species. These are based on my 40 years of experience working on environmental issues in New Zealand, Australia and many Pacific Island nations.
Ray's specific services include:
Research, survey and monitoring of Endangered Pacific Birds
As an ornithologist, I undertake a variety of research and survey projects to help understand status and threats of endangered species and the actions that are needed to protect them. I also design and undertake monitoring programmes to measure species’ responses to those actions. Current and recent examples are survey and research on Tuamotu Sandpiper and Polynesian Ground-dove (link), Santa Cruz Ground-dove, Santa Cruz Shrikebill (link), and recommended management including rat eradication, coconut control and biosecurity. |
Feasibility studies to determine appropriate pest management actions
Increasingly my research addresses the impacts of invasive species (such as rats, cats, invasive ants and weeds) on land birds and seabirds and develops action plans for management. Current and recent examples include Yellow Crazy Ant and Little Fire Ant impacts Tokelau and Solomon Islands (links) and multiple species in the Phoenix Islands World Heritage Area since 2006 (e.g. link 2006), Malden in Kiribati (link 2015) and the Cook Islands (link).
Biosecurity Risk Assessments and Action Plans
I work with many Pacific governments to help develop invasive species strategies and action plans addressing the impacts of invasive species present and others that could arrive, along with surveillance measures for early detection and rapid response. Examples include plans developed for Kiribati (links), Cook Islands (link), parts of the Solomon Islands (ongoing) and Tokelau (ongoing).
Capacity Building and Training
The above services for Pacific Island governments and indigenous and local community groups are often accompanied by training and local capacity building programmes. These programmes help to ensure that local skills are developed and honed to assist in the ongoing management and monitoring of Endangered or sensitive birds and bats and their habitats. Recent examples include Endangered and harvested birds in PNG (link), Endangered finches on Cape York Peninsula (link), wetland birds (Wairuna link) and rainforest restoration projects (EnviroCare link).
Increasingly my research addresses the impacts of invasive species (such as rats, cats, invasive ants and weeds) on land birds and seabirds and develops action plans for management. Current and recent examples include Yellow Crazy Ant and Little Fire Ant impacts Tokelau and Solomon Islands (links) and multiple species in the Phoenix Islands World Heritage Area since 2006 (e.g. link 2006), Malden in Kiribati (link 2015) and the Cook Islands (link).
Biosecurity Risk Assessments and Action Plans
I work with many Pacific governments to help develop invasive species strategies and action plans addressing the impacts of invasive species present and others that could arrive, along with surveillance measures for early detection and rapid response. Examples include plans developed for Kiribati (links), Cook Islands (link), parts of the Solomon Islands (ongoing) and Tokelau (ongoing).
Capacity Building and Training
The above services for Pacific Island governments and indigenous and local community groups are often accompanied by training and local capacity building programmes. These programmes help to ensure that local skills are developed and honed to assist in the ongoing management and monitoring of Endangered or sensitive birds and bats and their habitats. Recent examples include Endangered and harvested birds in PNG (link), Endangered finches on Cape York Peninsula (link), wetland birds (Wairuna link) and rainforest restoration projects (EnviroCare link).