Ecopa Environmental Ltd.
Ecopa Environmental was established to meet two needs within the field of natural resources management. Firstly, our commitment lies in delivering comprehensive training for environmental professionals. We prioritize practical field experience coupled with a solid grasp of natural history and pertinent legislation, ensuring that our trainees are well-equipped to navigate real-world scenarios and challenges.
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Our mission is to empower environmental professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to protect and manage natural resources sustainably.
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Secondly, Ecopa stands out for providing high-quality environmental consulting services that guarantee assessments characterized by reliability, transparency, and trustworthiness. Our seasoned team brings a wealth of experience and boasts a robust background in various aspects of environmental assessments. This includes expertise in data collection, ecological land classifications, wetland evaluations, ornithological and wildlife surveys, field botany, and OBBN.
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We partner with leading organizations, agencies and consulting groups to drive sustainable environmental solutions.
Meet The Team
Paul Ashley
Paul Ashley is the founder of Ecopa Environmental and a professor at Fleming College. He has extensive knowledge of ELC, EIA, wetland evaluations, ornithology, and wildlife ecology and has taught these subjects to hundreds of students. With over 20 years of experience with the Canadian Wildlife Service's Protected Areas Program, as an ecosystem scientist for Parks Canada's Eastern Arctic National Parks and a tenure as a senior terrestrial ecologist for Hatch (a consulting engineering company), Paul brings a wealth of practical environmental expertise to his workshops and consulting services. Additionally, Paul is a member of the Ontario Association for Environmental Impact Assessment and has years of international experience, having developed and taught courses in ecological monitoring and environmental impact assessment in Ontario and for the Central European University in Budapest, Hungary and Vienna, Austria.
Doug McRae
Doug McRae is an accomplished ornithologist with over 40 years dedicated to the study of birds and wildlife. He has led more than 100 birding tours worldwide, sharing his passion and expertise with both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Doug conducts engaging field trips and workshops focused on bird identification, fostering a deep appreciation for avian species among participants.
In addition to his tours, he has actively participated in various research programs, concentrating on shorebirds in the Hudson Bay Lowland and contributing valuable insights to the understanding of these vital ecosystems. Through his company, Shrew Solutions Inc., Doug provides comprehensive biological assessments and expert testimony at environmental review hearings, ensuring that ecological considerations are prioritized in development projects.
Recently, he began teaching Ornithology and Wildlife courses at Fleming College, where he inspires the next generation of wildlife biologists and conservationists. Doug’s extensive experience and passion for avian studies not only enrich his teaching but also empower students to engage meaningfully with wildlife conservation and ecology.
Shawn Morgan
Shawn Morgan is a GIS specialist who actively implements and designs GIS systems, a field he has dedicated himself to since 1994. He has taught GIS at Fleming College, Conestoga College, and the University of Waterloo. With decades of international consulting experience, Shawn collaborates with private and government agencies across North America, the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Shawn focuses on making data accessible to professionals outside the GIS or IT fields. He delivers practical solutions for biologists, foresters, enforcement officers, urban planners, and others who need to collect and manage data. His expertise lies in explaining the "how" and ensuring its execution, driven by his passion for teaching everything from the basics to advanced spatial data science.
Andrew O'Neill
Andrew is a graduate of the Fleming Fish and Wildlife program, where he developed a strong foundation in ecological principles and wildlife management. After graduation, he worked for the Ministry of Natural Resources as a fisheries technician. In this role, Andrew has contributed to various fisheries projects throughout the Great Lakes. In addition to his hands-on work in the field, Andrew has trained hundreds of students in the use of backpack electrofishers. His training sessions not only cover the technical aspects of operating this specialized equipment but also emphasize the importance of ethical practices and safety measures during fish sampling.
Sam Pethick
Sam Pethick is a highly skilled GIS cartographic specialist who is an expert in all things mapping. With his knowledge of GIS technologies, combined with his exceptional attention to detail, Sam is an invaluable asset to the company. He is dedicated to producing high-quality maps and visualizations that accurately and effectively communicate complex information. Whether it's creating custom maps or conducting spatial analysis, Sam is always up to the task and ready to deliver results that meet and exceed our client's expectations.
John Knight
John Knight is an esteemed instructor with over 30 years of experience at Fleming College, where he garnered multiple awards for his exceptional teaching abilities and dedication to student success. His expertise primarily lies in wildlife ecology and management and environmental impact studies, where he has made significant contributions to the field. In addition to these specializations, John possesses a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of forestry, ornithology, aquatic ecology, and natural history, making him a well-rounded educator and resource for his students.
Before embarking on his successful teaching career, he operated his environmental consulting firm, providing critical insights and solutions to various ecological challenges. He also held various influential positions within the Ministry of Natural Resources, further solidifying his extensive background in environmental issues and policy. John's diverse experiences not only enhance his teaching but also inspire his students to engage deeply with the complexities of environmental science.
Mike Oldham
Mike Oldham had a distinguished career at the Ontario Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC), where he worked from 1993 to 2021. During his tenure, he conducted extensive botanical surveys across the province, from the Carolinian Zone to the Hudson Bay Lowland. Mike served on the COSEWIC Vascular Plants Subcommittee for over 20 years and was Ontario’s provincial representative on COSEWIC.
In addition to his role at NHIC, Mike worked as a botanist and ecologist with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, serving in offices in Aylmer, London, Richmond Hill, and Chatham. He has also provided expertise to various conservation authorities and operated as an independent environmental consultant.
As a founding member of the Field Botanists of Ontario (FBO), Mike has been instrumental in advancing the field, serving as an associate editor of the FBO Newsletter, now known as Ontario Plant Press, since its inception. He is a Research Associate with the Canadian Museum of Nature and an Emeritus Research Associate with NHIC, underscoring his commitment to botanical research and conservation in Ontario.
Derek Morningstar
Derek is a Senior Ecologist and the owner of Myotistar and partners with Ecopa to provide bat survey techniques training. He has 20 years of professional experience and a Master’s degree studying bats in Ontario. As a Project Manager and field technical specialist, he has led numerous field investigations for bats and other taxonomic groups, including habitat assessment, acoustic surveys, roost surveys, mortality surveys, capture and radio-tracking and migration monitoring among many other research topics. Much of his current work is focused on helping Indigenous People, NGO’s and governments develop their own bat monitoring programs on their land. Derek has contributed to Species at Risk Monitoring Reports, Environmental Assessments, Environmental Impact Studies and Natural Heritage Evaluations, leveraging his expertise in bat-related projects across seven countries since 2007. Additionally, Derek has published bat research in peer-reviewed journals, provided expert witness testimony for species at risk and provided guidance and content for government survey protocols and has written countless technical reports. He is an active member of bat-focused organizations, including the North American Society for Bat Research and the Ontario Bat Network and has undergone formal survey training in Canada and the USA before becoming a bat specialist. He is a certified professional wetland scientist (PWS) and holds certifications in Ecological Land Classification (ELC), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and several other flora and fauna techniques.
Barb Elliott
Barb Elliot is a certified taxonomist in identifying aquatic insects to the Family level with the Society of Freshwater Science, a North American-wide accreditation body. She is also a provincial trainer in the OBBN (Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network) protocol. Since 2008, she has offered training and certification opportunities in OBBN to hundreds of students and resource professionals.
Barb holds a B. Sc. from the University of Guelph and a Master’s degree from Athabasca University and was instrumental in developing the Ecosystem Management Program at the School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences at Fleming College in Lindsay, Ontario. She received the Pascal Award for Excellence in Teaching from Fleming College where she taught for 28 years and the Teaching Excellence Award from the University of Texas at Austin. In 2017, she received the Environmental Excellence Conservationist Award from the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority in recognition of her many years of volunteer work in the environmental field, and, in 2021, the American Fisheries Society Outstanding Mentor Award in recognition of her contribution to the development and education of students. Most recently, she was the joint recipient of the Joyce Chau Ecospark Legacy Award for Environmental Leadership in June of 2023. She now owns and operates her own environmental consulting business.
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