A consultancy linked to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is celebrating its 10th anniversary after a decade of helping to protect wildlife and restore habitats across the Isle of Wight and Hampshire.
Arcadian Ecology & Consulting was established in 2016 as a subsidiary of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and has since grown from a team of 4 to 14 specialists.
Its work includes ecological surveys, protected species assessments and long-term habitat monitoring, as well as biodiversity net gain (BNG), nitrate neutrality and nature-based solutions for development.
Over the past 10 years, Arcadian has worked with more than 200 landowners, businesses, local authorities and conservation organisations across the Isle of Wight and Hampshire.
Projects have included seagrass and coastal bird surveys, habitat creation for threatened native species such as white-clawed crayfish and improvements to ponds, grasslands and green spaces.
Deborah Whitfield, Senior Nature-Based Solutions Manager at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, has said:
“Arcadian was created to help us reach more people and deliver more for nature. The expertise has always been within the Trust, and Arcadian gives us a way to combine our conservation experience with professional ecological services, and work alongside a wider range of partners, landowners and organisations.
“We are not here simply to make a profit. Our purpose is to support nature’s recovery. Every project contributes to that mission, whether through habitat creation, ecological advice or helping organisations create practical solutions that make a real difference for wildlife.”
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The consultancy says its connection with the Trust allows it to draw upon more than 60 years of conservation experience, combining scientific knowledge with practical experience of wildlife, habitats and land management.
Arcadian is also expanding its work in biodiversity net gain, helping landowners understand opportunities and manage land over the long term.
Its work has included a major habitat restoration scheme in East Hampshire, involving large-scale habitat creation and assessments of benefits for birds, bats and soil health.
Deborah has added:
“People want to do the right thing for nature, but the landscape is becoming increasingly complex. Our role is to help people understand what is possible and how to make it work in practice.
“We know that creating healthier, more resilient landscapes for the future cannot be delivered alone. This is why Arcadian has built strong partnerships with local authorities, businesses, developers, landowners and other conservation organisations over the past decade, working collaboratively to deliver high-quality outcomes rooted in trust, expertise and shared ambition.”
Arcadian is also investing in technology including digital mapping, remote wildlife monitoring using imagery drones and advanced data analysis.
Future work is expected to include further habitat restoration, habitat assessment and climate resilience projects, alongside exploring opportunities such as traditional orchard restoration.
All profits generated by Arcadian are reinvested into conservation work across the Isle of Wight and Hampshire.
In 2025, Arcadian was designated as a Responsible Body by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), allowing it to establish conservation covenants to secure long-term habitat enhancements for BNG projects and monitor restoration work.
Reflecting on the 10-year milestone, Deborah has said:
“I’m incredibly proud of the team we have built and the partnerships we have developed over the past 10 years.
“Arcadian shows what is possible when strong ecological expertise is combined with a clear purpose. By working together, we can achieve far more for nature and help create a wilder future for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.”
