Cairo is a botanist and biodiversity offsetting specialist who has been part of Niche’s NSW ecology consulting team for more than three years. Before working as a consultant, Cairo spent 8 years in biological and ecological research within university and private institutions.
“Having sampled both consulting and research roles, I found that there’s a wider variety of work, skills development, and exposure to different experiences on offer in consulting, “ says Cairo.
“Working in environmental consulting provides me with opportunities to work on a diverse range of projects and to be directly involved in improving environmental outcomes.”
Projects like the ARTC Inland Rail Offset ID Program allow Cairo to engage with project developers about their project offset requirements, and with landholders about the opportunity for their property to supply biodiversity offsets.
“I regularly meet landholders who really care about what happens to their land, and about making the right decisions for the conservation of our environment.”
Cairo’s work means that his time is evenly split between fieldwork throughout regional NSW, and office-based tasks which he completes either from home or Niche’s head office in Parramatta.
“Meeting people and traveling to rural places is a great perk for a city person like me,” says Cairo. “At weekends I love to get away and often take my kids camping to show them the cool places I’ve been to through work.”
Cairo’s career highlights include a memorable seagrass mapping project which involved snorkelling offshore near Swansea on the Central Coast, riding a helicopter from Sydney to Tibooburra to map vegetation for APA, and a weed management plan for Sydney Trains for which he developed an innovative method to identify weed species whilst riding trains along the network at pace.
“At Niche I’m entrusted with responsibility for my projects while having constant access to the knowledge and experience of my team leaders through mentoring.”
“My job is fulfilling because it allows opportunities for me to create on-ground improvements to conservation, and there’s also a very special, harmonious and collaborative team culture.”
Find out more
ARTC Inland Rail NSW Offset ID Program
Sydney Trains Weed Management Plan
Ecology and biodiversity
Biodiversity offsetting
Join our team!
Due to a strong pipeline of interesting work for great clients, Niche is currently recruiting! To find out more about these roles, the many employee benefits we offer, and how to apply, visit our Careers page.
