As long-time friends and collaborators, it’s been amazing to watch Baker Consultants continue to thrive and grow. From welcoming new talent to gaining recognition for their pioneering ecoacoustics research, they’ve made waves both nationally and internationally. Earlier in the year, we shared the incredible momentum the team carried into the first five months of 2024, and the second half has been nothing short of extraordinary. So, what have they been up to?
A proud moment for Baker Consultants came when Andrew Baker, Founder and Managing Director, was named one of the most influential environmental consultants in the ENDS Report Power List 2024.
This prestigious recognition celebrates Andrew’s 30+ year career and his significant contributions to the environmental sector. As a respected Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and a sought-after expert witness in high-profile cases concerning nature conservation law, it’s no surprise that Andrew earned a spot on this esteemed list. The ENDS Report noted a nominator’s praise for Andrew’s “understanding of natural environmental law twinned with his expertise in ecology”, positioning him as “a leader in his field and places him as one of the most respected ecological consultants in the industry”. His pioneering work in advancing ecological monitoring techniques further solidifies his standing.
Having worked closely with Andrew, we’ve seen first-hand the vast knowledge and leadership that has propelled Baker Consultants to new heights. His innovative thinking continues to inspire others in the sector, making this recognition truly well-deserved!
During one of the hottest weeks in June, the team headed down to Groundswell in Hertfordshire to showcase the fascinating sounds of earthworms, captivating hundreds of attendees with their innovative ecoacoustics research. They demonstrated how their ground-breaking methods can support regenerative agriculture by providing unique insights into soil health. In turn, the event offered a fantastic opportunity to delve deeper into the world of regenerative farming, explore advancements in viticulture and discover cutting-edge technologies dedicated to monitoring and promoting soil vitality.
The team attended a variety of insightful sessions throughout the event, with Communications Director, Saffron Baker, even seizing the opportunity to pose a leading question during the compelling talk by Henry Dimbleby, co-author of the National Food Strategy, and Wildfarmed’s Andy Kato, titled “Transforming the Food Landscape at Scale.” See what she had to say below 👇
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Carlos Abrahams, Director of Ecoacoustics at Baker Consultants, played a key role in the global Silent Cities Project – a ground-breaking research initiative that culminated in the publication of ‘A Dataset of Acoustic Measurements from Soundscapes Collected Worldwide’ during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The project set out to monitor the dramatic impact of the pandemic on urban soundscapes, capitalising on the rare and fascinating opportunity presented by the sudden, global reduction in urban noise. Spanning 35 countries, the project gathered contributions from 261 participants who deployed programmable audio recorders to capture acoustic data from 317 urban sites between March and October 2020, and Carlos one was of them!
After being shortlisted for Medium Consultancy of the Year at this year’s CIEEM Awards, the Baker Consultants team were thrilled to walk away with a Highly Commended Award at the ceremony in June! Out of more than thirty entries, they were one of only two to earn this prestigious recognition.
This was their first time entering the awards since winning in two categories in the CIEEM 2020 Awards, and the business has evolved dramatically since then. With an expanded team, a broadened ecoacoustics service that now supports regenerative agriculture, viticulture and BNG monitoring, Baker Consultants continues to push boundaries. And, as if that wasn’t enough, they’ve also embraced a four-day working week, prioritising team wellbeing while setting the standard for an industry that cares about both people and the planet. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
Being one of only two entrants to receive a Highly Commended certificate is a true testament to the impact Baker Consultants is making in the industry. With the exciting plans they have in store for the year ahead, we’ll be eagerly cheering them on and keeping our fingers crossed for that top award next year!
The team at Baker Consultants just can’t seem to escape the media spotlight since diving into their DEFRA-funded ecoacoustics venture nearly two years ago—and they wouldn’t have it any other way! From features on local and national BBC News to a CBBC Newsround appearance and field interviews with The Guardian, their innovative work has been turning heads far and wide.
Since our last update, Farmer’s Guardian caught up with Carlos Abrahams at the Agri-TechE Belowground Technology Showcase, where he shared insights on their collaboration with scientists from the University of Warwick. Carlos explained how ecoacoustics is transforming regenerative agriculture by using soil soundscapes to assess soil health in a completely new way.
At Groundswell, the media buzz continued when Agronomic and Arable Farmers Magazine joined the team for a chat alongside their collaborators at JoJo’s Vineyard. This forward-thinking vineyard is leveraging Baker Consultants’ ecoacoustics research to make data-driven decisions that boost ecosystem health and balance—making them an ideal partner for this innovative work.
And it’s not just ecoacoustics grabbing the headlines. Baker Consultants was also featured in Countryside Jobs Service, where they discussed their bold transition to a four-day work week. This pioneering change, trialled last year and now permanent, is setting an example for prioritizing both employee well-being and sustainability.
With all this (well-deserved) attention, it’s clear Baker Consultants are making waves in the industry!
A true highlight of the year has been the launch of Baker Consultants’ sister company, Soil Acoustics Ltd. This new venture is built on years of pioneering research into soil acoustics and is redefining how we understand and manage soil health. By creating technology that literally “listens” to the activity within soils, Soil Acoustics Ltd. introduces a revolutionary approach to monitoring and improving soil quality. This innovation has far-reaching implications, from agriculture to conservation and beyond, solidifying Baker Consultants’ reputation as trailblazers in environmental science.
Adding to the excitement, they’ve just unveiled a Kickstarter campaign for their Soil Acoustic Meter (SAM), a state-of-the-art device that records the sounds of soil-dwelling creatures. The campaign will support the manufacturing of this cutting-edge technology in 2025, and early-adopters will receive unlimited data analysis and reporting, providing critical insights into soil health.
Want to get involved? Learn more and sign up here.
As Baker Consultants reflects on an exceptional second half of 2024, it’s clear that their commitment to innovation, sustainability and leadership in the ecological consultancy sector continues to drive their success. From pioneering ecoacoustics research to being recognised for their outstanding contributions, the team has proven that there are no limits to what they can achieve. With the launch of Soil Acoustics Ltd. and a continued focus on ground-breaking projects, Baker Consultants is set to keep pushing boundaries and shaping the future of environmental science. As they look ahead to 2025, we can’t wait to see what incredible milestones they will achieve next!
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