ENVIRONMENTAL DATA COLLECTION
& CONSULTATION SPECALISTS

Skylos Ecology acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands where we live and work, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging. We recognise their enduring connection to Country, culture, and community.

Skylos Ecology

Skylos Ecology Pty Ltd is a well-established Australian environmental consultancy, operating since 2018 and delivering trusted ecological services across multiple jurisdictions. The company specialises in renewable energy monitoring, threatened species detection, pest management planning, biosecurity project delivery and ecological surveys.

Since its establishment, Skylos Ecology has earned a strong reputation for technical rigour, reliability, regulatory compliance, and high-quality field delivery. The organisation operates in complex, high-risk, and geographically dispersed environments, maintaining consistent standards through structured governance systems, documented procedures, robust safety frameworks, and quality-controlled data management processes. Its longevity and continued growth reflect sustained performance and strong industry confidence in demanding regulatory settings.

About us

Meet the Team

Approach
& ethos

Skylos Ecology integrates practical ecological delivery with structured governance, risk management, and implementation expertise. Our methodologies, reporting frameworks, and adaptive management measures are designed to be realistic, defensible, and capable of long-term application. We prioritise solutions that balance environmental integrity with operational feasibility.

This operational depth ensures that our guidance and methodologies are grounded in field reality. We understand the logistical constraints, safety risks, workforce considerations, and commercial pressures associated with wind farm operations, enabling us to deliver recommendations that are proportionate, practical, and implementable.

We care deeply about the natural world and the responsibility we carry in protecting it. We are committed to collecting high-quality, defensible data and ensuring it completes a full feedback cycle, informing programs that actively safeguard the species and ecosystems we study.

Our work is grounded in strong values: animal welfare, data integrity, and a steadfast commitment to doing the right thing, even when it requires extra effort. We believe rigorous project management and clear, consistent communication are essential to delivering outcomes that are reliable, transparent, and aligned with project objectives.

We are a learning organisation. We continually refine our methods, expand our knowledge, and integrate emerging research and field insights to improve the quality, relevance, and effectiveness of our work.

We also prioritise our clients' needs. By understanding their regulatory obligations, operational constraints, and project goals, we provide information that is practical, meaningful, and supports confident, informed decision-making.

Better data. Better decisions. Better outcomes for nature.

Our
services

Consultation

Our team has over 15 years experience in consultation and project management.

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Data Collection

Our team of ecologists and detection dog handlers provides a tailored data collection service.

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Reporting

Completing the project loop, we provide informative project analysis through detailed reports and mapping.

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Our
sectors

Renewable Energy Projects

We work across the renewable energy sector, providing assistance with the development and implementation of bird and bat adaptive management plans across Australia.

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Threatened Species Monitoring

We provide novel detection solution for data collection on a range on cryptic species.

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Pest Species Management

Our teams are highly experienced in both flora and fauna pest management

Our
experience

Skylos Ecology brings extensive, field-proven experience delivering environmental monitoring, conservation and land management programs across Australia’s diverse landscapes. Our work spans operational wind farms, coastal wetlands, arid inland deserts, national parks, agricultural interfaces and urban reserves, demonstrating our capacity to operate safely and effectively in complex and remote environments. We have successfully delivered multi-year programs for government agencies, renewable energy operators, research institutions and land managers, consistently meeting regulatory requirements while supporting meaningful biodiversity outcomes.

Central to our approach is building long-term, trusted partnerships with our clients. We work collaboratively to understand evolving project needs, refine methodologies over time and provide continuity across multi-year programs. This commitment to enduring relationships ensures consistent data quality, institutional knowledge retention and more effective, adaptive management outcomes. Through ongoing collaboration, transparent communication and dependable delivery, Skylos Ecology becomes a trusted extension of our clients’ teams.

Beyond project delivery, we are recognised for our collaborative ethos and sector leadership. We engage with Traditional Owner organisations, government bodies, research partners and community stakeholders to deliver programs that are scientifically robust, culturally respectful and operationally practical. Our mentoring and capacity-building initiatives further strengthen the conservation sector by supporting emerging teams and promoting best-practice methodologies.

Skylos Ecology is proud to have worked with the following project partners:

ACT Parks, Agriculture Victoria, Biosis, Cardinia Shire, Conservation Ecology Centre, Elmoby Ecology, Goldwind, GE Renewable Energy, Landscape South Australia, Melbourne Water, National Capital Authority, Parks Victoria, SMEC, TILT Renewables, University of Canterbury, University of Sydney, Warrnambool City Council and Wildlife Wonders.

Project highlights

Onshore Wind Farm Mitigation and Curtailment Trials (RERI Project) (2026)

Skylos Ecology is contributing to a landmark national research initiative examining how wind farm curtailment strategies can reduce bat collision risk while maintaining energy generation. Drawing on more than a decade of bat mortality monitoring across Australian wind farms, our team is leading the field data collection component for this $1.2 million federally funded project.

The trials will be the first in Australia to directly compare multiple curtailment approaches at an operational wind farm.

Invasive Predator Monitoring — RJ Chambers Flora and Fauna Reserve (2025)

Skylos Ecology partnered with Cardinia Shire Council to deliver an intensive winter monitoring program targeting fox and feral cat activity within RJ Chambers Flora and Fauna Reserve. Over three weeks, detection dog teams collected hundreds of data points, supported by scat deposition surveys, camera monitoring and dietary analysis to generate a robust relative abundance index and better understand predator impacts on native wildlife. Spatial mapping of survey coverage and activity hotspots provided clear, actionable insights to guide future pest management and biodiversity protection strategies. This integrated approach demonstrates the value of combining canine detection, field ecology and data analysis to inform evidence-based invasive predator control.

Silverton Wind Farm — Bird and Bat Adaptive Management Plan (Years 1–3)

Skylos Ecology delivered the on-ground components of the Bird and Bat Adaptive Management Plan for the Silverton Wind Farm in New South Wales, in partnership with GE Renewable Energy and Tilt Renewables. Implemented within a remote desert environment, the multi-year program included mortality monitoring, carcass persistence and detectability trials, and specimen management in liaison with the Australian Museum. These activities generated robust data to meet approval conditions, inform adaptive management and support evidence-based mitigation measures. The project highlights Skylos Ecology’s capability to deliver compliant, large-scale monitoring programs in challenging and remote operational wind energy landscapes.

Murray-Darling carpet python monitoring

Skylos Ecology conducted targeted surveys for the threatened Murray–Darling carpet python within the River Murray system, using specialist detection dogs to locate individuals and critical habitat features. These surveys provide reliable data to inform conservation planning, habitat management and species recovery efforts across South Australia. Working in partnership with the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, the project demonstrates the value of highly trained canine teams in detecting cryptic, low-density species. Funded through the South Australian Government’s Landscape Priorities Fund, this initiative supports long-term protection of this iconic riverine predator.

Native turtle nest detection

Skylos Ecology conducts surveys to locate freshwater turtle nests, supporting conservation efforts for vulnerable turtle populations in the River Murray landscape. Conservation detection dogs were trained to conduct precise, small-scale searches for nest sites, enabling more efficient monitoring and protection of eggs from predation and environmental threats. The project showcased the adaptability of canine teams to low odour targets and survey methods. This project is delivered in collaboration with the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, this work contributes to integrated, landscape-scale threatened species management.

Stockyard Hill Wind Farm — Bird and Bat Adaptive Management Plan (Years 1–5)

Skylos Ecology is delivering the on-ground components of the Bird and Bat Adaptive Management Plan for the Stockyard Hill Wind Farm in Victoria, in partnership with SMEC, Palisade Integrated Management and Goldwind. The multi-year program includes mortality monitoring, carcass persistence and detectability trials, specimen management in liaison with Museums Victoria, and targeted Brolga monitoring. These activities provide robust data to meet regulatory requirements, inform adaptive management actions and support evidence-based mitigation measures. The project demonstrates Skylos Ecology’s capacity to deliver large-scale, long-term monitoring programs that balance renewable energy development with biodiversity protection.

RayGen Power Plant Carwarp — Environmental Impact Monitoring

Skylos Ecology is working with Biosis to deliver environmental impact monitoring for RayGen’s flagship technology demonstration project at Carwarp in northwest Victoria. The facility provides reliable, on-demand power to the West Murray distribution network, enhancing grid security through synchronous generation and long-duration storage capability. Our program focuses on monitoring any potential environmental impacts, documenting ecological values, invasive pest activity and providing data to support compliance, risk management and adaptive mitigation measures during operations. This work demonstrates Skylos Ecology’s ability to support innovative renewable energy projects with rigorous, transparent environmental oversight.

Dundonnell Wind Farm — Bird and Bat Adaptive Management Plan (Years 1–3)

Skylos Ecology delivered the on-ground components of the Bird and Bat Adaptive Management Plan for the Dundonnell Wind Farm in Victoria, in partnership with Biosis and Tilt Renewables. The multi-year program included mortality monitoring, carcass persistence and detectability trials, specimen management in liaison with Museums Victoria, and targeted Brolga monitoring. These activities provided robust data to meet approval conditions, inform adaptive management responses and guide evidence-based mitigation measures. The project demonstrates Skylos Ecology’s expertise in delivering compliant, large-scale biodiversity monitoring within operational wind energy environments.

Wild Otways Initiative — Feral Cat Management and Community Engagement

Through the Wild Otways Initiative, Skylos Ecology supported feral cat monitoring and management in partnership with the Conservation Ecology Centre, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation. Detection dog surveys provided valuable data to inform targeted control efforts, while media coverage helped raise community awareness about the impacts of feral cats on native wildlife. The project also fostered open conversations about responsible cat ownership and the role of collaborative conservation in protecting the Otways’ unique biodiversity. This work highlights how detection dog programs can deliver both ecological outcomes and meaningful public engagement.

Kowari Detection Dog Research — Sturt Stony Desert

In partnership with Team Kowari and the University of Sydney, Skylos Ecology deployed detection dogs to the remote Sturt Stony Desert to locate active burrows of the endangered kowari (Dasyuroides byrnei). With no captive animals available for training, the dogs were prepared using scat samples before undertaking live-animal training under approved research protocols, demonstrating their capacity to adapt to rare and cryptic species. Surveys across refuge islands identified potential active burrows, later confirmed through remote monitoring as successful detections, validating the role of conservation detection dogs in arid-zone mammal research. This project highlights the potential for canine teams to support monitoring and recovery efforts for endangered species in some of Australia’s most challenging landscapes.

Salt Creek Wind Farm — Bird and Bat Adaptive Management & Grey-headed Flying Fox Mitigation (Years 2–5)

Skylos Ecology delivered the on-ground components of the Bird and Bat Adaptive Management Plan for the Salt Creek Wind Farm in Victoria, in partnership with Elmoby Ecology and Tilt Renewables. The program included multi-year mortality monitoring, carcass trials and specimen management to meet regulatory requirements and inform adaptive management. Skylos Ecology also contributed to the subsequent Grey-headed Flying Fox mitigation report, providing data to support targeted risk-reduction strategies for this nationally vulnerable species. This work demonstrates our capacity to integrate long-term monitoring with species-specific mitigation to support responsible renewable energy development.

Invasive Spartina Surveys — Western Port (2021-2025)

Skylos Ecology collaborated with Melbourne Water and Platypus Environmental Services to conduct surveys for invasive common cordgrass (Spartina) across Western Port. Surveys are conducted both by traversing the waterway edges and from a kayak. Using a vessel enabled access to previously unreachable intertidal areas, where detection dog Raasay successfully identified new infestation sites to inform upcoming weed treatment programs. The kayak approach also allowed longer survey durations and reduced safety risks, including encounters with venomous snakes, improving both efficiency and field safety. This project demonstrates the value of innovative survey methods in strengthening early detection and rapid response to invasive coastal weeds.

Mentoring Detection Dog Teams — South African Weed Orchid Program (2024-2026)

Skylos Ecology is providing ongoing mentoring and field support to detection dog team Bec and Rain as they undertake invasive South African weed orchid surveys at Melbourne Water’s Western Treatment Plant. Now in their second field season, the team is independently locating hundreds of plants and underground bulbs each day, contributing to effective containment and control of this high-risk invasive species. Our role focuses on refining search techniques, maintaining detection reliability and supporting best-practice survey methods to ensure long-term program success. This mentoring approach builds sector capacity while delivering measurable conservation outcomes for priority weed management.

Invasive Predator Mapping — Great Otway National Park

Skylos Ecology partnered with Parks Victoria, Surf Coast Shire Council and the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority to map fox and feral cat activity along the Great Ocean Road within Great Otway National Park. Detection dog teams collected hundreds of data points, including scats, dens and scavenging sites, to identify predator hotspots and inform targeted control programs. This spatial data supports strategic pest management to reduce predation pressure on threatened native species such as hooded plovers, southern brown bandicoots and swamp antechinus. The project demonstrates the value of collaborative, evidence-based approaches to protecting biodiversity across Victoria’s iconic coastal landscapes.

Alligator Weed Monitoring — Lake Burley Griffin

Skylos Ecology is delivering a multi-year program of alligator weed monitoring for the National Capital Authority around Lake Burley Griffin, using detection dog Oakley to locate infestations across the site. Oakley’s demonstrated ability to detect alligator weed in its dormant state has enabled additional treatment cycles each year, significantly improving management outcomes. All detections are recorded for size and density, with spatial mapping used to identify priority treatment areas and evaluate the effectiveness of previous control efforts. This program provides the NCA with precise, evidence-based data to guide targeted weed management and protect the ecological values of this nationally significant landscape.