About Us
Delivering tier-one ecological outcomes with regional insight, practical delivery and regulator-ready reporting—trusted across infrastructure, energy and government projects throughout NSW, QLD and beyond.
Who We Are
Ascent Ecology is a specialist environmental consultancy delivering high-quality ecological services across regional and rural Australia. Our team is made up of ecologists, environmental scientists, GIS experts and land managers who live and work in regional Australia.
We bring together scientific rigour, practical insight, and a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape. Whether supporting infrastructure, renewables, or urban development, we’re committed to delivering outcomes that are responsive, regulator-ready, and grounded in local context. Clients trust us for fast mobilisation, quality reporting, and professional advice that is timely and cost effective.
Built on Principles.
Delivered with Integrity.
We are honest, grounded professionals who believe in quality science, clear communication and respectful collaboration. Our clients trust us to act with integrity, deliver with precision and adapt quickly to project needs.
Integrity in Practice
We offer transparent advice and never greenwash outcomes—clients trust us to provide straight answers backed by evidence.
Regional First
We prioritise regional projects, people and environments.
Efficiency Through Insight
Our deep understanding of policy and process helps avoid costly delays and unnecessary offset burdens.
Partnership Without the Overhead
We integrate seamlessly into multidisciplinary teams, delivering cost effective, quality work.
Our Mission
Our mission is to deliver cost effective ecological services that meet the highest standards of technical accuracy, responsiveness, and integrity. We live and work in regional areas, bringing local knowledge, regulatory insight, and practical field expertise to every job. By partnering closely with clients, we help reduce project risks, accelerate approvals, and deliver lasting environmental value. No matter what the project, we aim to make ecology accessible, actionable, and effective across every stage of planning and delivery.
Our Expertise
We deliver technical rigour without the red tape. Our team includes ecologists, environmental scientists, GIS experts and land managers with deep experience across planning, approvals, offsetting, and ecological fieldwork. From regional council to major infrastructure projects, we know how to meet compliance requirements while offering practical, responsive advice. Our people understand the terrain, the regulators, and the realities of on-ground delivery—bringing science, strategy, and common sense together to support projects across NSW and QLD.
Our Management
Ascent Ecology is led by a senior team with deep project experience, technical oversight and commercial maturity. Our leadership is hands-on and client-facing—ensuring consistency from proposal through to delivery, with clear accountability and a responsive, professional service approach.
Damian Licari
Director
As a PhD qualified ecologist, Damian has more than 15 years of experience working in industry, government, and research sectors. With a varied background in several industries including finance and advertising, Damian brings a fresh and unique perspective to environmental consulting.
As a BAM Accredited Assessor, Damian assists clients with understanding and complying with the latest legislative frameworks. Currently, Damian is the technical lead on the BAM Accredited Assessor Training Program for the DPIE, positioning him at the forefront of the latest information and science, and as a clear subject matter expert for biodiversity and environmental legislation. Damian is passionate about enabling other ecologists to provide quality, detailed and up to date information for their clients.
Based in the Northern Rivers, Damian is also heavily involved with the Orchid Society, and spends his spare time propagating hundreds of prize-winning hybrid species of orchids in his private greenhouse.
Christina Maloney
Principal Environmental Consultant
Christina is a senior environmental scientist; she holds a MSc in Environment and Planning and is experienced in a broad range of environmental projects. More recently, Christina has been undertaking Biodiversity Offset Scheme (BOS) related work, including numerous Biodiversity Stewardship Site Assessment Report (BSSAR) and Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR) applications, to support local and state significant developments in NSW.
Christina’s expertise also includes developing detailed environmental management plans to meet conditions of consent, review of environmental factors (REFs), environmental auditing, environmental monitoring and compliance, impact assessment and mitigation and various ecological surveys and assessments.
Christina Kindermann
Principal Ecologist
Christina is a senior ecologist with over 10 years’ experience in conducting flora and fauna surveys for a range of projects and clients across Queensland and NSW.
Christina is a BAM accredited assessor and a SQP botanist under QLD legislation and is experienced in a number of field survey techniques including targeted threatened species surveys, MNES/MSES significant impact assessments and terrestrial habitat assessments. Christina holds a PhD in amphibian biology and ecology and has serval published works in her field.
While working in the industry, Christina has been managing and leading teams to ensure projects are delivered on budget. She enjoys working on projects from start to finish and values building strong client relationships.
Louis Bell
Senior Ecologist
Louis has worked in conservation for many years in a variety of unique ecosystems including the remote arid environment of Broome, marine ecosystems on the east coast of Australia and as a Parks Ranger in Victoria. He draws on a wealth of experience in coastal and waterway management, horticulture, landscape construction, infrastructure management, earthworks and transport operations, environmental conservation (flora and fauna) management, emergency wildfire response and agricultural operations.
Based in the Northern Rivers, Louis tends to a local farm, and is passionate about growing organic produce and implementing sustainable agricultural practices whilst balancing ecological values in rural landscapes.
Louis is a BAM Accredited Assessor.
James Kirk
Senior Ecologist
With a background in bush regeneration and construction environmental management, James brings a diverse range of experience to the Ascent Ecology team. James has contributed to some of the largest infrastructure projects in the country (Western Sydney Airport, Snowy Hydro 2.0) carrying out large scale vegetation assessments, flora and fauna surveys and threatened species relocation and monitoring. James also has experience working for local government and government agencies.
James has contributed to the development of a number of Biodiversity Stewardship Site Assessment Reports (BSSAR). As a BAM Acccredited Assessor, James’s current work at Ascent Ecology includes conducting vegetation assessments, GIS mapping and data management, improving data capture systems to streamline reporting, developing management plans, budgets and reports that support Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement applications.
James’s diverse range of experience has given him a wealth of knowledge in environmental management. This knowledge assists greatly in the diverse skills required for diligent and effective application of the Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) under the Biodiversity Offset Scheme (BOS).