About Lagoon Reach

Fifteen years of restoring Australia's ecosystems, one project at a time.

Field team conducting ecological survey

From Academic Research to Practical Conservation

Lagoon Reach began in 2011 when three university researchers realized their wetland restoration methods were sitting in journals instead of being applied in the field. We wanted to bridge that gap between ecological science and real-world land management.

What started as weekend consultations for local landcare groups grew into a full-time practice serving property owners, councils, and conservation organizations across eastern Australia.

Today we've restored over 240 hectares of degraded ecosystems and completed biodiversity assessments for more than 150 properties. But the numbers don't tell the full story. What matters is seeing native species return to places they'd been absent from for decades.

What Guides Our Work

Evidence-Based Practice

Every recommendation we make is grounded in peer-reviewed research and field-tested methods. We stay current with ecological literature and contribute to it through our own monitoring data.

Site Specificity

We reject template solutions. Each landscape has unique hydrology, soil chemistry, and ecological history that demands a custom approach. Our designs reflect local conditions, not generic best practices.

Long-Term Thinking

Restoration isn't finished when plants go in the ground. We design for resilience over decades, anticipating succession patterns and building in adaptive management. Many clients work with us for years.

Transparency

You'll understand why we recommend specific species, techniques, or timelines. We explain trade-offs openly and adjust plans based on your priorities and budget constraints.

Our Team

Dr. Emma Thornton

Dr. Emma Thornton

Principal Ecologist

PhD in wetland ecology from ANU. Specializes in hydrology restoration and water quality improvement in degraded systems. Published researcher with 15+ years field experience.

James Khoury

James Khoury

Restoration Coordinator

Certified arborist and land management specialist. Leads on-ground implementation of restoration projects including native plantings, erosion control, and fauna habitat construction.

Dr. Priya Mehta

Dr. Priya Mehta

Conservation Biologist

Fauna specialist with expertise in threatened species management and biodiversity monitoring. Conducts field surveys and prepares environmental impact assessments.

Tom Gallagher

Tom Gallagher

Field Ecologist

Botanist and weed management expert. Leads invasive species control programs and native vegetation surveys across diverse Australian ecosystems.

Our Journey

2011

Founded

Started as a consulting partnership focused on wetland restoration in coastal New South Wales.

2014

Expanded Services

Added biodiversity assessment and environmental impact reporting to serve development sector clients.

2017

Regional Growth

Extended operations into Queensland and Victoria. Completed first large-scale riparian corridor project.

2020

Research Partnership

Established monitoring collaboration with three universities to track long-term restoration outcomes.

2026

Today

Leading ecological restoration practice with projects across eastern Australia and a growing team of specialists.

Work With Us

Whether you're planning your first restoration project or looking for ongoing ecological support, we'd like to hear about your goals.

Get in Touch