full-spectrum ecological, Environmental and natural history property consultation. Biodiversity surveys and T&E Species monitoring and management

“Naturalist: One Who Studies the world of nature and marvels at it.” - Rudy Mancke

The worlds of nature and culture intertwine and overlap. From the uses of animals as god-like representations in prehistoric and historic times to setting aside parks for recreation and natural appreciation, nature impacts humans as much today as it did when our ancestors began climbing out of trees and walking upright. Each trip I lead and each class I teach is a combination of these two worlds. As an interpreter, telling the story of the flora and fauna found around us connects people to the landscape. When you give the backstory behind a plant or an animal and trace them to local and global cultural, social, and even economic importance, it gives individuals an intimate and tangible reason to care. It ties them to the resource. That's what I seek to do.

Arrants Outdoors, LLC offers full-spectrum ecological and environmental property consultation for industries, public lands and private landowners. Routinely leading nature walks and teaching natural history classes for various government agencies and NGOs throughout the country, I bring nearly twenty-five years of experience in studying ecosystems from coast to coast.

Arrants Outdoors specializes in a variety of baseline survey options and surveys for threatened and endangered (T&E) species, along with biodiversity surveys and bioacoustics monitoring on properties large and small. From birds to bats, fish to frogs, turtles to trees, wildflowers to water quality, and everything in between; I have worked on projects covering all aspects of ecology and environmental management across the United States. Arrants Outdoors regularly works with clients to assist through both federal and state environmental permitting processes, as well as regulatory compliance. A certified laboratory, Arrants Outdoors establishes and conducts studies and population surveys for freshwater, saltwater, and estuarine macroinvertebrate, shellfish, and fish sampling and taxonomy. Having worked with global manufacturing companies such as BMW Manufacturing and international mining companies like OceanaGold, Arrants Outdoors has experience working on complex and difficult sites, closely adhering to specific safety protocols. MSHA Part 48 and HAZWOPER certified, I have extensive experience working with and supervising numerous site remediations, drinking water and air quality programs in multiple states.  I am also a fully trained and certified wildland firefighter.

Additionally, I work closely with clients to determine which native plants work best on their properties, the optimum location for all types of nesting structures, attracting various species of fauna and even pond management. Simply put, Arrants Outdoors, LLC offers a diverse array of consultation services to meet the needs of all property owners, no matter what size their property may be. 

As a naturalist, I have worked in the recovery of the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker, managed birds of prey, and have operated MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) stations for over fifteen years, with much of my field work occurring on two large military installations in the state of South Carolina. I have been an instructor for South Carolina Wildlife Federation's Palmetto Pro Birder and Master Naturalist programs, and am a former SCWF Board Member. I am also a certified Master Naturalist in the state of Montana and am an instructor for the Glacier Institute. I have also been a guest Master Naturalist instructor in the state of Texas. A Magna Cum Laude graduate of both Central Carolina Technical College, where I’m adjunct faculty for the Natural Resources Management Department, and the University of South Carolina, I hold degrees in Natural Resources Management and Anthropology.

I have been fortunate enough to study birds and natural history from California to Virginia and along the gulf coast in Texas, Alabama, and Florida. From saving sea turtle nests on the beaches of Bon Secour NWR following the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill to conducting snake research at Carolina Sandhills NWR, my natural history experience is varied and is not simply limited to ornithology. Sure, I've chased Yellow Warblers beside Niagara Falls and I've watched as a Golden Eagle soared across a Montana sky, but I've also sat with US lawmakers and discussed the need to fund conservation projects that would open up public recreation possibilities and set aside land for the protection of T&E species. I've also spent my fair share of time digging for artifacts on archeological digs throughout the Southeast.

If there is one thing about my Alma Mater, the University of South Carolina, that I take pride in, it is the Carolinian Creed.  As stated by the university, it "emphasizes openness and the general principles of civility." The principles of the creed are the defining differences between a Carolinian and just a Gamecock fan. They separate someone who attended the university and took the values of the USC motto, "Emolit mores nec sinit esse feros" (Learning humanizes character and does not permit it to be cruel), to heart from someone that simply puts on a Gamecock hat and goes to a sporting event. The two portions of the Carolinian Creed I like to spotlight are:

1. I will respect the dignity of all persons.

2. I will discourage bigotry, while striving to learn from differences in people, ideas, and opinions.

With that in mind, I proudly say that Arrants Outdoors, LLC does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, national origin, or sexual orientation.