R&D Environmental Ltd brings together the skills and knowledge of three experienced conservation managers: David Butler, Andrew Macalister and Rhys Buckingham.

Dave Butler

David Butler holds a Ph. D in Zoology and has been involved in biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration in New Zealand and the Pacific.  He previously worked for the Department of Conservation, culminating in management of the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project. Since leaving DOC, David has led the community-based Brook Waimarama Sanctuary and has undertaken many consultation projects in the Pacific for international agencies.   David is a member of the IUCN's Invasive Species Specialist Group  and has a strong understanding of pest management. 

Andrew Macalister

Andrew Macalister has been involved in conservation for the past 18 years. He was formerly manager of the Animal Health Board's West Coast possum control programme, the largest pest control programme in New Zealand. More recently, he was the founding chairman of the Marlborough Sounds Restoration Trust, which has developed and delivered a $1 million wilding conifer control programme over five years. Andrew also has a strong background in community engagement, having designed and led consultation and community engagement projects for many clients.

Rhys Buckingham

Rhys Buckingham has spent the last 40 years working in conservation and is respected as a leading field ecologist and ornithologist. He specialises in providing high-quality planning and development advice, and has been involved in many large development projects, particularly on the West Coast. Rhys has led the search for the South Island kokako since 1980, and was awarded the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2000, in recognition of his services to ecology. 

R&D Environmental also has a number of professional associates, who are involved in projects as required. These include:

  • Dr Brian Lloyd (bats, statistics)
  • Dr Ralph Powlesland (birds) 
  • Tony Whitaker (reptiles) 
  • Geoff Walls (botanist) 
  • Entecol Ltd (invertebrates) 
  • Paul van Klink (wildlife monitoring)
  • MBC Ltd (field services)