Katherine Muchna

I lead and provide ecological input into projects in the land development, renewable energy, mining and road development sectors; from the initial project scoping to post-consent monitoring stages. I enjoy managing challenging and logistically complex projects that bring together a range of disciplines and achieve meaningful ecological improvement for our natural environments.

I am an experienced ecologist with a specialist focus in herpetology (the study of reptiles and amphibians). I have a strong interest in projects that enable a greater understanding of native animals and how they occupy and behave in the natural environment and respond to disturbance. I have worked on a range of projects throughout New Zealand and I have had the particular good fortune to work with our cryptic and rare native frogs and lizards.

I am passionate about understanding the impacts of a changing climate and working with our wider team and mentoring our early career staff to tackle these new and unprecedented challenges in New Zealand’s environment.

Qualifications

Master of Science Environmental Science, University of Auckland
Bachelor of Science Ecology and Chemistry, University of Otago

Affiliations

Certified Environmental Practitioner (Ecology Specialist), Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ) 
Member, NZ Ecological Society Society for Research on Reptiles and Amphibians in New Zealand