Bear Environmental was founded by Mike Stopa out of a desire to improve standards and make life easier for developers and those in construction facing environmental issues.
Our mission is to understand and respond to your project needs, providing effective solutions which reduce risk and impact but still provide conservation opportunities.
A new approach
Having worked in-house for a number of years, Mike had become increasingly conscious of how the different ecological and environmental issues that regularly arise on site, usually means a plethora of different professionals being engaged. The result of which often leads to delays, increased costs and an over cumbersome process.
Mike also believes that all stakeholders in a project have the right to expect an experienced professional on site. Someone competent and confident enough to make on the spot the decisions in a high-pressure environment and with far reaching implications (and which need to be communicated to a number of different stakeholders).
Combining expertise and experience
Mike is a Chartered Ecologist, Chartered Environmentalist and Principal Ecologist of ECoW team leadership. He has over 15 years of experience as well as UNESCO training in water quality assessment and monitoring and European protected species licenses. This allows him to undertake work that would otherwise be in breach of pertinent wildlife legislation.
Our highly skilled and multi-discipline team
All our professionals have a multi discipline skill set, enabling them to deal with the most common and varied issues that arise on site. They also all have at least 10 years of industry experience.
As a team, we have the expertise and experience. We are strong communicators with a thorough understanding of construction and highly complex projects. And above all else, we’re extremely hard working. As a result, we’ve built a reputation of professional excellence.
Our intention is that you as clients, should enjoy a higher standard of service, a more efficient service and all at a very competitive rate.
Where do we operate
We operate throughout the UK and have offices in Central Scotland (Glasgow) and south-west England (Bristol).

Ecology and biodiversity
Has a local authority or similar requested a preliminary ecological survey?
We will complete all ecological and specialist surveys
Submit development licences to enable your works to continue
Deliver site specific mitigation and compensation
Advise on programme/financial risks.
READ MOREEcological and Environmental Clerk of Works
Are you approaching the construction stage of any size project?
Our ECoWs will produce your technical documents (EMP, CEMP etc.)
Provide practical site advice, instruction and supervision to construction projects
Site specific and innovative solutions to ecology, water, waste or other environmental problems.
READ MOREWater Quality
Is there a risk of water pollution from your project?
We outline monitoring programmes
Undertake water quality monitoring from simple river ‘health’ assessments to long-term monitoring pre or post construction of large scale projects.
READ MOREEnvironmental Assessment
Do you have to undertake an Environmental Assessment of your development?
We have the capability to produce technical documents to assess potential effects on the environment from a proposed development.
Negative effects can be designed out or measures taken to reduce or avoid effects.
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