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Lodge Environmental

<figure id="attachment_542" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-542" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-542 size-full" src="https://cms.lodgeenviro.com.au/wp-content/uploads/54108775574_8bd3681541_b-1.jpg" alt="Image of Jack Talbert" width="1024" height="679" srcset="https://cms.lodgeenviro.com.au/wp-content/uploads/54108775574_8bd3681541_b-1.jpg 1024w, https://cms.lodgeenviro.com.au/wp-content/uploads/54108775574_8bd3681541_b-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https://cms.lodgeenviro.com.au/wp-content/uploads/54108775574_8bd3681541_b-1-768x509.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-542" class="wp-caption-text">Jack Talbert Director</figcaption></figure>

<h2>A word from our Director</h2>
Picture the sunlight piercing the rainforest canopy, gently lighting the forest floor below, the sound of a river spilling over the sandstone, the feeling of a fresh morning breeze… It sounds like a meditation voiceover – in actual fact it’s a snapshot of some of the days we call work, and the places we work to protect.
This year the team has covered more ground than any year prior – continuing to contribute towards land protected under conservation agreements, reduce project impacts, and implement novel survey solutions and mitigation measures.
I am deeply grateful that we are able to do such purpose driven work, even more so with the group of people that work at Lodge. Together, we are a small but mighty force, creating a legacy across our projects that we can be proud of.
Looking ahead, I am excited for the positive impact we’ll continue to make across our projects, with our team and with our clients, not to mention numerous big-ticket announcements to come in the 25/26 financial year. Stay tuned.

From our director

<div class="title">798 ha conserved</div>
<div class="title">$15,877 donated</div>
<div class="title">400 trees planted</div>
<div class="title">30% revenue from BSAs</div>

Through Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements and Vegetation Management Plans, we have helped to conserve, protect, and improve the biodiversity of this land.
Through our 1% for the Planet donations and other fundraising, we have proudly supported <a href="https://ger.org.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Great Eastern Ranges</a> &amp; <a href="https://seatrees.org/?srsltid=AfmBOoopoVKvzsgnfrzsy5IF4G9I5XnksQerAwsdn0CdDzxO2XDTaVg4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Seatrees</a>.
Every year, our team participates in a planting day to help revegetate Critically Endangered Robertson Rainforest on private property in Kangaloon.
Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements are now the company’s largest project-based revenue stream.

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Impact Highlights

This year was full of positive & adventurous projects

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Project Highlights

In the heart of Kangaloon lies a property with patches of Critically Endangered Robertson Rainforest amongst the cleared agricultural land. The landholder’s dream is to revegetate this picturesque property and restore it to natural rainforest. Lodge was initially engaged to assist in writing the revegetation plan, but since then we have volunteered one day per year to help <a href="https://plantlife.net.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Plant Life</a> get some plants in the ground.
The last three years have seen our team plant around 1,000 Acacia melanoxylon, which is a key species for this vegetation community. Our plantings are buffering and connecting remnant patches, starting the process of returning the land back to rainforest.

Revegetating Robertson Rainforest

Deep in the gullies of the Wollemi National Park exists old records of a rare mint bush Prostanthera discolor. With only one other known population, NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) sent the Lodge team on an important mission &#8211; to search for these 1988 records. Over three days, the team hiked through the rugged terrain of the Wollemi, searching the locations of the 1988 records and similar adjacent areas, yet the P. discolor was nowhere to be seen. It is likely that 2019/2020 catastrophic bushfires destroyed these small populations, illustrating the devastating impact these fires can have on threatened species. Whilst it wasn’t the outcome we were looking for, the discovery of no P. discolor is hugely important for its ongoing conservation efforts. You can read more about our adventure and watch our film <a href="https://lodgeenviro.com.au/films/the-prostanthera-trail-the-search-for-australias-rarest-mintbush" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">here</a>.

The Prostanthera Trail

Alongside <a class="a_GcMg" draggable="false" href="https://www.canva.com/link?target=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.heidelbergmaterials.com.au%2Fen&amp;design=DAGxPR2T7GQ&amp;accessRole=viewer&amp;linkSource=document" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Heidelberg Materials Australia</a>, Lodge Environmental Ecologists worked to relocate the Eastern Osprey nest from its spectacular location overlooking the Tasman Sea on a condemned gravel loader to a purpose-built nest platform directly adjacent.
In order to minimise disruption to the Ospreys, relocation had to occur within careful timing to ensure it was well outside of the breeding period. The Ospreys even decided to breed a little earlier last year meaning the relocation had to wait another year.
Finally, following careful checks the nest was relocated to its new platform. Just a month later the new nest platform was confirmed to be Osprey approved, with the Osprey spotted in the new nest.

Osprey Nest Relocation

<div lang="en">
The Red-lored Whistler is a critically endangered bird in NSW, with Nombinnie and Round Hill Nature Reserves in central NSW being their last stronghold.
Lodge Environmental has been assisting DCCEEW in the monitoring of this species since 2023, with surveys occurring annually. Data collected during this monitoring is helping to fill knowledge gaps on this species’ local distribution, potential habitat preference and how this may be influenced by fire.
It is important work, and we couldn’t be happier to be involved in the monitoring of one of NSW’s most at-risk birds.
</div>

Red-lored Whistler Surveys

One of our missions is to improve the way humans operate within our environment. Where impacts to native flora and fauna occur, our role is to reduce them as much as possible. Through our involvement in development projects this year, we have avoided impacts to 59,000 m² of native vegetation, including:
<ul>
<li>376 Ziera granulata individuals (endangered)</li>
<li>Yellow-bellied Glider feed trees (vulnerable)</li>
<li>Melaleuca biconvexa individuals (vulnerable)</li>
<li>Themeda grassland on seacliffs and coastal headlands (endangered ecological community)</li>
</ul>

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Avoidance

Hollow-bearing trees are incredibly important for our native fauna, in NSW at least <a class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none" draggable="false" href="https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/threatened-species/saving-our-species-program/resources/home-where-hollow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">174 animal species</a> rely on tree hollows.
When impacts to these habitat features cannot be avoided, installing replacement habitat is a crucial mitigation measure.
This year, our trained tree-climbing ecologists installed 67 carved hollows.
Where appropriate, we prefer the use of carved hollows as opposed to traditional nest boxes. Our climbing team is trained in using the Hollow-Hog tool to carve custom artificial hollows. You can watch our hollow carving video <a class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none" draggable="false" href="https://lodgeenviro.com.au/films/seatrees-partners-with-university-scientists-and-technology-leader-samsung-to-support-coral-reef-restoration" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> to learn more.

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Creating Habitat

Engaging with our community is important for our team. Our staff receive one volunteer day per year to participate in community events. Here’s how our staff and company were involved in the community this year.

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Our community

This year we hosted our very first community film night right next to our Wollongong office, at UOW Innovation Campus.
This free event showcased nature and adventure films from <a class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none" draggable="false" href="https://mont.equipment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mont Adventure Equipment</a>, <a class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none" draggable="false" href="https://kirlisaunders.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kirli Saunders</a>, <a class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none" draggable="false" href="https://seatrees.org/?srsltid=AfmBOoopoVKvzsgnfrzsy5IF4G9I5XnksQerAwsdn0CdDzxO2XDTaVg4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Seatrees</a>, Lodge Environmental &amp; <a class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none" draggable="false" href="https://fennerschool.anu.edu.au/people/ana-gracanin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ana Gracanin</a>.
Mont Adventure Equipment &amp; Lodge Environmental contributed some merch and equipment to be raffled out on the night.
Proceeds from the raffle were donated to Seatrees, with our $790 donation equating to 200 square feet of restored kelp forest along the South Bondi subtidal rocky reef in Sydney.
It was a fantastic event to connect with our community, showcase local talent and contribute to a great cause.

Lodge Film Night

The Deadly in Generation STEM program is facilitated through CSIRO and aims to increase engagement and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in STEM educational pathways.
Lodge Environmental were invited to assist with the <a class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none" draggable="false" href="https://www.csiro.au/en/education/About-CSIRO-Education/Stories-and-Announcements/Education-Story-Listing/Deadly-STEM-Camp-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Deadly in Generation STEM Illawarra camp</a> last November, to help show young people what a career in STEM can look like.
Our ecologists Max and Olivia joined the group for a fun activity surrounding data collection and analysis at Bellambi Beach Rockpools.
It was a great afternoon playing marine bingo, seeing who could find the most interesting species and earn the most points.

Deadly in STEM

BioBlitz at Croom was a fantastic free event organised by <a class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none" draggable="false" href="https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/sustainable-shellharbour-90583314473?_gl=1*ss3qom*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTgxODUwNzIxNy4xNzU2MzAzMTAz*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*czE3NTYzMDMxMDIkbzEkZzEkdDE3NTYzMDMxODIkajYwJGwwJGgw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sustainable Shellharbour</a>, <a class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none" draggable="false" href="https://www.shellharbour.nsw.gov.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shellharbour City Council</a>, <a class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none" draggable="false" href="https://www.uow.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">University of Wollongong</a> and <a class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none" draggable="false" href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/dcceew" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DCCEEW</a>.
Lodge ecologists Max and Will volunteered over two days to assist citizen scientists with recording the amazing biodiversity within the Croom Reserve.
On day one in the threatened Illawarra Lowlands Grassy Woodland, we observed several bird, reptile and amphibian species and were able to establish two reference plots to monitor the woodlands health into the future.
On day two the kids&#8217; sharp eyes helped us find insects and several Eastern Dwarf Tree Frogs.
Excitingly we also found the seed head of an endangered Illawarra Greenhood Orchid, an exciting discovery!

BioBlitz at Croom

Through the CSIRO’s Generation STEM Links program, Lodge Environmental was able to offer an internship program over the 2024/2025 summer.
The program allowed us to offer one position to a student in their penultimate year of their biology degree. Being a small consultancy, we were able to provide our intern with hands-on experience in all facets of Ecological Consulting.
Our intern assisted the team in completing field surveys, reporting, flora and fauna identification, GIS mapping and data collection.
This 200-hour internship was a great opportunity for both our intern and our team, and it is a program we will continue to participate in, in the future.

CSIRO Internship

<h2>Breakdown of revenue by project type</h2>
This year saw a 58% increase in revenue from BSA work when compared to 
2023/2024. To have 40% of our revenue come from conservation work is an 
achievement we are hugely proud of. Our goal is that our proportion of 
conservation work will continue to grow.
<div class="is-content-box">
<h3 class="mt-0">Glossary</h3>
BSA: Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements
BDAR: Biodiversity Development Assessment Report
REF: Review of Environmental Factors
MP: Management Plan
VMP: Vegetation Management Plan
BMP: Bushland Management Plan
FFA: Flora and Fauna Assessment
FA: BSA Feasibility Assessment
ECO: Ecological Constraints and Opportunities
</div>

Breakdown of revenue by project type

Lodge Environmental is committed to giving back, supporting local communities, conservation initiatives, and environmental stewardship projects to help protect nature for future generations.

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Giving Back

% breakdown of our 2024/2025 donations

Hours volunteered across the team

<div>
After a busy 2023/2024 year, the team was in need of some rest and relaxation. Of course, the perfect way to unwind as an ecologist is some time offline and in the bush &#8211; with no work and no distractions.
This year Lodge partnered with <a href="https://www.unyoked.co/">Unyoked</a> to prescribe each team member some well-earned time in the wilderness. We were each prescribed 2 nights in an Unyoked cabin to help our busy minds reconnect with nature.
Days were spent making coffee, counting birds and not knowing what time it was. Absolute bliss.
</div>

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Out of Office

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At Lodge, ensuring our team is continuing to grow and share their knowledge in ecology is very important to us.
That is why each team member receives a yearly training budget to learn and upskill in areas they are passionate about.
Our staff are also encouraged to attend and participate in conferences and lectures to share knowledge and form connections with like-minded people.
Here are some of the training and events our team attended this year.

<ul class="!mt-0">
<li>National Biodiversity Offsets Conference (EIANZ)</li>
<li>Advanced Plant Identification Course (UNSW)</li>
<li>Ecological Monitoring Module Training Day (BCT)</li>
<li>Bat Call Analysis Workshop (Titley)</li>
<li>Environmental Law Guest Lecture (UOW)</li>
<li>Wildlife Field Techniques: Animal Handling (UTS)</li>
<li>SXSW Sydney</li>
<li>1% for the Planet Global Summit</li>
<li>QGIS Masterclasses (AP Spatial)</li>
<li>Operate and Recover 4WD (Risk Response &amp; Rescue)</li>
<li>Remote Advanced First Aid (Outdoor Academy)</li>
<li>Sydney Leadership Workshop (EIANZ)</li>
</ul>

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Learning and Sharing

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Limited Edition Nuggan T-Shirts

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Bake off winner Jade - Orange-bellied Parrot 

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Lodge Runners - Jack, Henry, Annabelle & Jade

At Lodge, we are a passionate and creative team, always looking for new ways to share our love of ecology and the outdoors.
Every year we host an internal Threatened Species Bake Off. It&#8217;s a great excuse to learn more about threatened species, take a cake break, and share the fun with our community.
This year we also partnered with local business <a href="https://www.softpowerstudio.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Soft Power Studio</a> to design and print T-shirts showcasing a beautiful BSA we worked on in Bawley Point. For every tee sold, 40% of the sales were donated to Great Eastern Ranges. It was a great way to celebrate conservation whilst continuing to contribute to a great cause.
In June, the Lodge Team joined the <a href="https://www.wollongongrunningfestival.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wollongong Running Festival</a>, because what better way is there to celebrate the start of winter than running 10km? It was a great opportunity for the team to motivate each other, spend more time outdoors, and get some cool custom caps made.

Team Fun

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[caption id="attachment_542" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="wp-image-542 size-full" src="https://cms.lodgeenviro.com.au/wp-content/uploads/54108775574_8bd3681541_b-1.jpg" alt="Image of Jack Talbert" width="1024" height="679" /> Jack Talbert Director[/caption]

<h2>A word from our Director</h2>
Picture the sunlight piercing the rainforest canopy, gently lighting the forest floor below, the sound of a river spilling over the sandstone, the feeling of a fresh morning breeze… It sounds like a meditation voiceover – in actual fact it’s a snapshot of some of the days we call work, and the places we work to protect.

This year the team has covered more ground than any year prior – continuing to contribute towards land protected under conservation agreements, reduce project impacts, and implement novel survey solutions and mitigation measures.

I am deeply grateful that we are able to do such purpose driven work, even more so with the group of people that work at Lodge. Together, we are a small but mighty force, creating a legacy across our projects that we can be proud of.

Looking ahead, I am excited for the positive impact we’ll continue to make across our projects, with our team and with our clients, not to mention numerous big-ticket announcements to come in the 25/26 financial year. Stay tuned.

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First slide

At Lodge, we are a passionate and creative team, always looking for new ways to share our love of ecology and the outdoors.

Every year we host an internal Threatened Species Bake Off. It's a great excuse to learn more about threatened species, take a cake break, and share the fun with our community.

This year we also partnered with local business <a href="https://www.softpowerstudio.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Soft Power Studio</a> to design and print T-shirts showcasing a beautiful BSA we worked on in Bawley Point. For every tee sold, 40% of the sales were donated to Great Eastern Ranges. It was a great way to celebrate conservation whilst continuing to contribute to a great cause.

In June, the Lodge Team joined the <a href="https://www.wollongongrunningfestival.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wollongong Running Festival</a>, because what better way is there to celebrate the start of winter than running 10km? It was a great opportunity for the team to motivate each other, spend more time outdoors, and get some cool custom caps made.

<div class="title">798 ha conserved</div>
<div class="title">$15,877 donated</div>
<div class="title">400 trees planted</div>
<div class="title">30% revenue from BSAs</div>

Through Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements and Vegetation Management Plans, we have helped to conserve, protect, and improve the biodiversity of this land.

Through our 1% for the Planet donations and other fundraising, we have proudly supported <a href="https://ger.org.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Great Eastern Ranges</a> &amp; <a href="https://seatrees.org/?srsltid=AfmBOoopoVKvzsgnfrzsy5IF4G9I5XnksQerAwsdn0CdDzxO2XDTaVg4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Seatrees</a>.

Every year, our team participates in a planting day to help revegetate Critically Endangered Robertson Rainforest on private property in Kangaloon.

Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements are now the company’s largest project-based revenue stream.

In the heart of Kangaloon lies a property with patches of Critically Endangered Robertson Rainforest amongst the cleared agricultural land. The landholder’s dream is to revegetate this picturesque property and restore it to natural rainforest. Lodge was initially engaged to assist in writing the revegetation plan, but since then we have volunteered one day per year to help <a href="https://plantlife.net.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Plant Life</a> get some plants in the ground.

The last three years have seen our team plant around 1,000 Acacia melanoxylon, which is a key species for this vegetation community. Our plantings are buffering and connecting remnant patches, starting the process of returning the land back to rainforest.

Deep in the gullies of the Wollemi National Park exists old records of a rare mint bush Prostanthera discolor. With only one other known population, NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) sent the Lodge team on an important mission - to search for these 1988 records. Over three days, the team hiked through the rugged terrain of the Wollemi, searching the locations of the 1988 records and similar adjacent areas, yet the P. discolor was nowhere to be seen. It is likely that 2019/2020 catastrophic bushfires destroyed these small populations, illustrating the devastating impact these fires can have on threatened species. Whilst it wasn’t the outcome we were looking for, the discovery of no P. discolor is hugely important for its ongoing conservation efforts. You can read more about our adventure and watch our film <a href="https://lodgeenviro.com.au/films/the-prostanthera-trail-the-search-for-australias-rarest-mintbush" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">here</a>.

Alongside <a class="a_GcMg" draggable="false" href="https://www.canva.com/link?target=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.heidelbergmaterials.com.au%2Fen&amp;design=DAGxPR2T7GQ&amp;accessRole=viewer&amp;linkSource=document" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Heidelberg Materials Australia</a>, Lodge Environmental Ecologists worked to relocate the Eastern Osprey nest from its spectacular location overlooking the Tasman Sea on a condemned gravel loader to a purpose-built nest platform directly adjacent.
In order to minimise disruption to the Ospreys, relocation had to occur within careful timing to ensure it was well outside of the breeding period. The Ospreys even decided to breed a little earlier last year meaning the relocation had to wait another year.
Finally, following careful checks the nest was relocated to its new platform. Just a month later the new nest platform was confirmed to be Osprey approved, with the Osprey spotted in the new nest.

<div lang="en">

The Red-lored Whistler is a critically endangered bird in NSW, with Nombinnie and Round Hill Nature Reserves in central NSW being their last stronghold.

Lodge Environmental has been assisting DCCEEW in the monitoring of this species since 2023, with surveys occurring annually. Data collected during this monitoring is helping to fill knowledge gaps on this species’ local distribution, potential habitat preference and how this may be influenced by fire.

It is important work, and we couldn’t be happier to be involved in the monitoring of one of NSW’s most at-risk birds.

</div>

One of our missions is to improve the way humans operate within our environment. Where impacts to native flora and fauna occur, our role is to reduce them as much as possible. Through our involvement in development projects this year, we have avoided impacts to 59,000 m² of native vegetation, including:
<ul>
 	<li>376 Ziera granulata individuals (endangered)</li>
 	<li>Yellow-bellied Glider feed trees (vulnerable)</li>
 	<li>Melaleuca biconvexa individuals (vulnerable)</li>
 	<li>Themeda grassland on seacliffs and coastal headlands (endangered ecological community)</li>
</ul>

Hollow-bearing trees are incredibly important for our native fauna, in NSW at least <a class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none" draggable="false" href="https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/threatened-species/saving-our-species-program/resources/home-where-hollow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">174 animal species</a> rely on tree hollows.
When impacts to these habitat features cannot be avoided, installing replacement habitat is a crucial mitigation measure.
This year, our trained tree-climbing ecologists installed 67 carved hollows.
Where appropriate, we prefer the use of carved hollows as opposed to traditional nest boxes. Our climbing team is trained in using the Hollow-Hog tool to carve custom artificial hollows. You can watch our hollow carving video <a class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none" draggable="false" href="https://lodgeenviro.com.au/films/seatrees-partners-with-university-scientists-and-technology-leader-samsung-to-support-coral-reef-restoration" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> to learn more.

This year we hosted our very first community film night right next to our Wollongong office, at UOW Innovation Campus.
This free event showcased nature and adventure films from <a class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none" draggable="false" href="https://mont.equipment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mont Adventure Equipment</a>, <a class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none" draggable="false" href="https://kirlisaunders.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kirli Saunders</a>, <a class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none" draggable="false" href="https://seatrees.org/?srsltid=AfmBOoopoVKvzsgnfrzsy5IF4G9I5XnksQerAwsdn0CdDzxO2XDTaVg4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Seatrees</a>, Lodge Environmental &amp; <a class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none" draggable="false" href="https://fennerschool.anu.edu.au/people/ana-gracanin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ana Gracanin</a>.
Mont Adventure Equipment &amp; Lodge Environmental contributed some merch and equipment to be raffled out on the night.
Proceeds from the raffle were donated to Seatrees, with our $790 donation equating to 200 square feet of restored kelp forest along the South Bondi subtidal rocky reef in Sydney.
It was a fantastic event to connect with our community, showcase local talent and contribute to a great cause.

The Deadly in Generation STEM program is facilitated through CSIRO and aims to increase engagement and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in STEM educational pathways.
Lodge Environmental were invited to assist with the <a class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none" draggable="false" href="https://www.csiro.au/en/education/About-CSIRO-Education/Stories-and-Announcements/Education-Story-Listing/Deadly-STEM-Camp-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Deadly in Generation STEM Illawarra camp</a> last November, to help show young people what a career in STEM can look like.
Our ecologists Max and Olivia joined the group for a fun activity surrounding data collection and analysis at Bellambi Beach Rockpools.
It was a great afternoon playing marine bingo, seeing who could find the most interesting species and earn the most points.

BioBlitz at Croom was a fantastic free event organised by <a class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none" draggable="false" href="https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/sustainable-shellharbour-90583314473?_gl=1*ss3qom*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTgxODUwNzIxNy4xNzU2MzAzMTAz*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*czE3NTYzMDMxMDIkbzEkZzEkdDE3NTYzMDMxODIkajYwJGwwJGgw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sustainable Shellharbour</a>, <a class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none" draggable="false" href="https://www.shellharbour.nsw.gov.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shellharbour City Council</a>, <a class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none" draggable="false" href="https://www.uow.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">University of Wollongong</a> and <a class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none" draggable="false" href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/dcceew" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DCCEEW</a>.
Lodge ecologists Max and Will volunteered over two days to assist citizen scientists with recording the amazing biodiversity within the Croom Reserve.
On day one in the threatened Illawarra Lowlands Grassy Woodland, we observed several bird, reptile and amphibian species and were able to establish two reference plots to monitor the woodlands health into the future.
On day two the kids' sharp eyes helped us find insects and several Eastern Dwarf Tree Frogs.
Excitingly we also found the seed head of an endangered Illawarra Greenhood Orchid, an exciting discovery!

Through the CSIRO’s Generation STEM Links program, Lodge Environmental was able to offer an internship program over the 2024/2025 summer.
The program allowed us to offer one position to a student in their penultimate year of their biology degree. Being a small consultancy, we were able to provide our intern with hands-on experience in all facets of Ecological Consulting.
Our intern assisted the team in completing field surveys, reporting, flora and fauna identification, GIS mapping and data collection.
This 200-hour internship was a great opportunity for both our intern and our team, and it is a program we will continue to participate in, in the future.

<h2>Breakdown of revenue by project type</h2>
This year saw a 58% increase in revenue from BSA work when compared to
2023/2024. To have 40% of our revenue come from conservation work is an
achievement we are hugely proud of. Our goal is that our proportion of
conservation work will continue to grow.
<div class="is-content-box">
<h3 class="mt-0">Glossary</h3>
BSA: Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements

BDAR: Biodiversity Development Assessment Report

REF: Review of Environmental Factors

MP: Management Plan

VMP: Vegetation Management Plan

BMP: Bushland Management Plan

FFA: Flora and Fauna Assessment

FA: BSA Feasibility Assessment

ECO: Ecological Constraints and Opportunities

</div>

<div>

After a busy 2023/2024 year, the team was in need of some rest and relaxation. Of course, the perfect way to unwind as an ecologist is some time offline and in the bush - with no work and no distractions.

This year Lodge partnered with <a href="https://www.unyoked.co/">Unyoked</a> to prescribe each team member some well-earned time in the wilderness. We were each prescribed 2 nights in an Unyoked cabin to help our busy minds reconnect with nature.

Days were spent making coffee, counting birds and not knowing what time it was. Absolute bliss.

</div>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

At Lodge, ensuring our team is continuing to grow and share their knowledge in ecology is very important to us.

That is why each team member receives a yearly training budget to learn and upskill in areas they are passionate about.

Our staff are also encouraged to attend and participate in conferences and lectures to share knowledge and form connections with like-minded people.

Here are some of the training and events our team attended this year.

<ul class="!mt-0">
 	<li>National Biodiversity Offsets Conference (EIANZ)</li>
 	<li>Advanced Plant Identification Course (UNSW)</li>
 	<li>Ecological Monitoring Module Training Day (BCT)</li>
 	<li>Bat Call Analysis Workshop (Titley)</li>
 	<li>Environmental Law Guest Lecture (UOW)</li>
 	<li>Wildlife Field Techniques: Animal Handling (UTS)</li>
 	<li>SXSW Sydney</li>
 	<li>1% for the Planet Global Summit</li>
 	<li>QGIS Masterclasses (AP Spatial)</li>
 	<li>Operate and Recover 4WD (Risk Response &amp; Rescue)</li>
 	<li>Remote Advanced First Aid (Outdoor Academy)</li>
 	<li>Sydney Leadership Workshop (EIANZ)</li>
</ul>

This year the team has covered more ground than any year prior – continuing to contribute towards land protected under conservation agreements, reduce project impacts, and implement novel survey solutions and mitigation measures.

Impact Report - Lodge Environmental

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Lodge Environmental is a nature positive environmental consultancy creating a natural legacy