I am a freshwater scientist and director of Instream Consulting, an environmental consultancy based in Christchurch, New Zealand. I have over 20 years of professional experience in aquatic resource surveys, monitoring, river and groundwater management, and applied research. My expertise includes assessing ecological significance, habitat restoration, and assessing effects of surface and groundwater abstraction, mining, land development, flow regulation, and discharges to land and water. My environmental science experience includes technical aspects - fieldwork, data analysis, and report writing - as well as experience as a project manager and project director, and expert witness. In addition to my paid job, I have been a volunteer firefighter and medical first responder, and a member of the local volunteer search and rescue.