Eadie McCallum

What does your role entail?

I am fortunate to maintain both fieldwork and in-office project management and reporting responsibilities. In the office, I work on health and safety documentation preparation, fieldwork planning, project administration, and producing a multitude of different technical reports tailored to client needs. The fieldwork aspect of my role involves a variety of activities, including peatland surveys, water quality monitoring, water crossings assessments, private water supply surveys and habitat management evaluations.

What does your day typically consist of?

My workdays are anything but typical, and that's exactly what I find fulfilling about my role. I divide my time between office-based tasks and fieldwork, engaging in a wide range of projects in both environments. My work has taken me across the UK, from the remote landscapes of Caithness in the north to the picturesque areas of Mid-Wales in the south.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I find great satisfaction in being engaged throughout the entire life cycle of projects. Prior to consent I am involved in scoping reports to assess the potential of different sites, Environmental Impact Assessments to support planning applications, followed by pre-construction surveys and reporting.

Throughout construction and into the operational phase of developments, we monitor and report on surface and groundwater quality to assess the impacts of the development on the hydrological environment and to safeguard water quality. I have also recently developed an interest in habitat management which is when areas of land are earmarked for environmental betterment to offset the impacts of developments. This often involves peatland restoration, an area in which our team possesses substantial experience and expertise.

How did you get into your role in the first place?

I studied Earth Science at University, and before Natural Power, I worked as a Geo-environmental engineer for a ground investigation contractor. After working there for two years I was looking to make the move to a consultancy so I could get involved with the interpretive side of reporting. I had really enjoyed the environmental aspects of my previous role and I was very interested in working in the renewable energy sector. This role has worked out well because I still get to spend a lot of time outside, but then when I am in the office I get involved in variety of interesting technical reporting.

What is the most interesting project you have worked on and why?

I am really enjoying a large renewable infrastructure project that I am currently involved in. This project is in the construction phase, and this is when the hydrological environment is most vulnerable. When I find potential pollution events, it is very satisfying tracing the source of the problem and passing on recommendations to the client. I like to see that I am directly contributing to improving the water environment.

What is your biggest achievement at work?

The outdoor environment is incredibly important to me, and I take pride in pursuing a career that enables me to safeguard it. It is hugely rewarding when the knowledge, skills and expertise of my team helps clients maintain extremely high standards of environmental protection.