A team of passionate ecologists dedicated to finding the balance between human ambition and environmental stewardship.
When Dr. Eleanor Whitmore established lunar-traction in 2011, the ecological consultancy landscape was dominated by two extremes: firms that rubber-stamped developments regardless of environmental impact, and those that seemed to obstruct every project on principle.
Eleanor believed there was a better path. With fifteen years of academic research behind her and practical experience from major infrastructure projects, she assembled a team that shared her conviction: rigorous science can enable sustainable development.
Today, our consultancy has grown to twenty-three licensed ecologists operating across England and Wales. We've maintained our founding ethos while adapting to an evolving regulatory landscape—from the Wildlife and Countryside Act through to the transformative Biodiversity Net Gain requirements of the 2021 Environment Act.
What hasn't changed is our commitment to honesty. We tell clients what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. That approach has earned us the trust of planning authorities, environmental regulators, and development professionals who value reliability over empty reassurances.
The principles that shape every survey, report, and client relationship.
Our conclusions follow from evidence, never from commercial pressure. If the data points one way, that's what our reports will say.
We work alongside architects, engineers and planners rather than operating in isolation. Better outcomes emerge from integrated teams.
Quick fixes that unravel in five years serve nobody. We design mitigation strategies built to endure through climate shifts and changing land use.
The experienced professionals guiding our consultancy's direction.
Founder & Principal Ecologist
PhD in Conservation Biology from Imperial College. Former research fellow at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
Technical Director
Leads our GIS mapping capabilities and biodiversity metric calculations. Chartered Environmentalist with IEMA.
Head of Protected Species
Holds Natural England licences for all major protected species. Specialist in bat roost assessments.
Planning Liaison Manager
Former local authority ecologist with deep understanding of planning processes and regulatory requirements.
All senior ecologists at lunar-traction maintain membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), ensuring adherence to professional standards and continuing professional development.
Our company holds appropriate public liability and professional indemnity insurance, and we operate quality management systems aligned with ISO 9001 principles.
Several team members also contribute to CIEEM working groups, helping shape best practice guidance for the wider profession.