Blue mountain with a snow-capped peak and a green pine tree in front of it.

Ecological & Natural Resource Services

We provide integrated ecological science, regulatory support, and implementation services to support infrastructure, land development, water resource, and conservation projects across Texas. We guide clients from early desktop habitat review and field surveys through agency consultation, construction-phase compliance, and long-term resource management.

With federal and state permits covering more than 40 protected species, our team conducts surveys, handles and relocates species, and prepares defensible documentation that supports efficient project delivery while meeting regulatory requirements.

Key Services

  • Terrestrial Ecology

    • Habitat Assessments and Desktop Habitat Reviews

    • Rare Plant and Vegetation Surveys

    • Avian Surveys (including Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped Vireo)

    • Bat Surveys

    • Herpetofauna Surveys

    • Wildlife Exclusion and Avoidance Measures

  • Aquatic Ecology

    • Freshwater Mussel Surveys

    • Aquatic Species Presence/Absence Surveys

    • Aquatic Resource Relocation Plans (ARRPs)

    • Aquatic Species Relocation and Monitoring

    • Mark-Recapture Studies

    • Spring and Aquifer-Associated Species Surveys

    • Riparian Habitat Assessments

  • Karst & Subsurface Ecology

    • Karst Invertebrate Surveys

    • Cave Biological Monitoring

    • Void Evaluations During Construction

    • Subsurface Habitat Characterization

    • Species Salvage and Relocation

  • Natural Resource Management & Conservation

    • Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Development and Implementation

    • Preserve and Conservation Land Management

    • Conservation Bank Development and Management

    • Karst Management Plans

    • Invasive Species Control

    • Long-Term Monitoring and Adaptive Management

  • Regulatory Support

    • Biological Assessments and Biological Evaluations

    • ESA Section 7 and Section 10 Consultation Support

    • Agency Coordination (USFWS, TPWD, etc.)

    • Construction-Phase Environmental Compliance

  • Why Zara

    • Full lifecycle capability from survey through implementation and long-term management

    • Permitted for 40+ protected species, enabling direct survey and relocation

    • Proven success on complex, multi-species ESA consultations

    • Deep experience in karst, aquatic, and terrestrial systems across Texas

    • Strong, trusted relationships with regulatory agencies