Finding the best solutions to complex biological issues

We’re a natural resources firm located in Southern California.

Bio-Studies specializes in finding innovative project-specific solutions to complex scientific and regulatory issues.

Bio-Studies was founded in 2018 and is staffed by environmental professionals with 75+ years experience in the consulting industry.

Our staff offers a unique blend of project management , environmental education, scientific research, habitat management, permitting and regulatory qualifications and experience.

Quino checkerspot butterfly (c) 2024 Jared Fuller
Desert horned lizard

Regulatory knowledge and experience

Bio-Studies natural resource specialists work with clients and regulators to provide scientific and reliable natural resources information in support of land management, Clean Water Act (CWA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Sikes Act/Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP), and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) projects.

Bio-Studies professionals are familiar with all stages of restoration and habitat management work from preliminary assessment, permitting and design to post installation success monitoring and maintenance. Our specialty lies in navigating complex projects through the federal and state regulatory and permitting frameworks and negotiations.

Client experience

Bio-Studies staff have extensive experience working cooperatively and effectively with federal, state, and local regulators. We work closely with clients in real estate investment and development, in the waste management and public utilities sectors, with government agencies, including military installations, and for local city and county governments in Southern California and throughout the Southwest.

In addition to supporting regulatory and compliance projects, Bio-Studies staff support environmental research through participation in raptor banding studies, involvement with local birding groups, and contributions to citizen science initiatives. Bio-Studies staff also have extensive experience delivering outdoor education programs to youth and community groups.

  • “...for over 4 years, Rod and his team have provided quality biological and environmental compliance support for our clients in the government agency and private sectors within Southern California and the greater Southwest.”

    – Ami B, with Northland Research Inc.

  • “I have worked with many biologists over the 40 years of my career, and I can honestly say that working with Rod and Bio-Studies has been the best working relationship.”

    Johna H, formerly of Cogstone

  • Coronado National Forest

    "Bio-Studies has been a loyal trusted contractor supporting DAWSON for many years. Their attention to detail and knowledge of Federal, State, and local regulatory requirements has been nothing short of extraordinary. Their staff are a group of dedicated scientists committed to the protection of all natural resources."

    David Boyes, Program Manager DAWSON.

Our qualifications

Bio-Studies staff have expertise in biological surveys, wetland assessment and delineations, Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and Natural Communities Conservation Plan (NCCP) permitting, State and Regional Water Quality Control Board permitting support, US Army Corps of Engineers nationwide permitting, habitat restoration planning, implementation & monitoring, construction monitoring, sensitive, threatened and endangered species documentation, biological assessments, and mitigation planning services.

    • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Recovery Permit Section 10(1)a for 14 listed plant species

    • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Recovery Permit Section 10(1)a for federally listed Coastal California gnatcatcher, Quino

    • Bureau of Land Management Certification: Handle & Monitor Flat-tailed Horned Lizard

    • California Department of Fish and Wildlife Letter of Concurrence for Training in Tracking and Trailing Flat-tailed Horned Lizard

    • California Department of Fish and Wildlife Specific Use Permit for Flat-tailed Horned Lizard

    • California Department of Fish and Wildlife, General Use Permit, Small Mammals

    • Checkerspot Butterfly, San Diego Fairy Shrimp, Riverside Fairy Shrimp, Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp

    • Sonobat, Kaleidoscope Pro and AnaLook bat acoustic analysis

    • Mist netting

    • Methodology of Delineating Wetlands, Wetlands Law and Regulation, Wetlands Training Institute

    • California Rapid Assessment Method (CRAM), CA Wetland Monitoring Workgroup

    • Desert Tortoise Identification and Handling Techniques, Desert Tortoise Institute IRATA

Meet the Team

Join Our Team

Job Description

Our Services

    • California Rapid Assessment Method (CRAM)

    • Wetland Delineation and Assessment

    • Clean Water Act (CWA) Permitting

    • Section 401 Water Quality

    • Section 404 Nationwide and Individual

    • California Department of Fish and Wildlife Section 1600 Streambed Alteration Agreement

    • Mitigation planning

    • Threatened, endangered, and special-status species surveys and permitting

    • Special status species permits and survey capacity

    • General wildlife surveys

    • Small mammal trapping surveys

    • Amphibian habitat assessment and surveys

    • Botanical surveys

    • Bat surveys

    • National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review and compliance

    • California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review and compliance

    • Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 Consultation and Biological Assessment preparation

    • ESA Section 10 Consultation and Habitat Management Plan preparation

    • Habitat restoration, planning and design

    • Mitigation and compensation planning

    • Mitigation banking assistance

    • Open space and preserve management

Get in touch.

Follow our journey.

Thanks to @ediexplorers for an excellent guided hike near the Sweetwater River this evening to celebrate California biodiversity. #californiabiodiversityweek #californiabiodiversityday #find30speciesforcaliforniabiodiversity
Woot, woot! A real treat to see this beauty in the vernal pool preserve we manage. High-five 🙌🏼 to the photographer 📷🤳 and snoot boop to our resident 🐍🐍two-striped gartersnake (Thamnophis hammondii), Larry! 👋🏽👋🏽👋🏽👋🏽 📷 credit: Arturo S
We are up for the challenge of California Biodiversity Week (September 6-14), are you? Join the Find 30 Species for California Biodiversity Day project on iNaturalist , and submit observations of 30 wild species between September 6-14. This is a stat
Party bus headed to Burning Man! #ShowOffYourRide #spanishshawlnudibranch #flabellinopsisiodinea #lajollashores #whatashowoff
You still land lubbin' in this summer heat?...bimac says sucker! #californiatwospottedoctopus #octopusbimaculoides
Sea star or bedazzled sea eclair? You decide. *nom nom* #ochreseastar #pisasterochraceus #lookslikeapastrytome #sealife #tidepools #coastalsandiego #summertimevibes #spottedinthesouthwest
Summer vibes: desert ninja. #flattailedhornedlizard #phrynosomamccallii #coloradodesert #spottedinthesouthwest (©) Jared Fuller, 2025.
Even Sphinx moths like to catch rays at the beach. Happy moth week! #nationalmothweek #sphinxmoth #nationalmothweek2025 #mothing
After you, sweetheart. #Reddiamondrattlesnake #Crotalusruber #otaymountainwildlife #spottedinthesouthwest
Tussock moth caterpillar looking downright WOW in that frock. #westerntussockmoth #genusorgyia #whatsthatcatepillar #sexyfrock
Today was a good day. #quino #quinocheckerspotbutterfly #spottedinthesouthwest #spottedinthesouthbay #chulavistawildlife #chulavista #endangeredspecies (c) 2024 Jared Fuller
Wild cucumber (Marah macrocarpus) bedazzled with lemonade berry (Rhus integrifolia) flowers.