Environmental consultant Adelaide & South Australia
We observe and analyse landscapes to advise on how ecosystems can work better
RSW Environmental provides science-based advice to support land restoration, carbon projects, biodiversity outcomes and sustainable production.
Environmental consultant Adelaide
RSW Environmental helps landholders, councils and organisations make better decisions about the land they manage. This includes navigating native vegetation regulations, planning restoration projects and exploring carbon and biodiversity programs. We combine scientific insight with practical advice to improve outcomes on the ground.
Over 30 years of field-based environmental expertise
Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year (Banksia Award recipient)
Projects delivered across South Australia, with past experience in Western Australia, Northern Territory and New South Wales
OUR SERVICES
Our core environmental services
We provide three core services that help landholders, councils and environmental project managers understand, plan and improve the landscapes they care for.
Biodiversity and vegetation assessments
Understand what’s on the ground and how to manage it. We support compliance with native vegetation regulations and provide assessments under frameworks like the Native Vegetation Act, Accounting for Nature, and the Nature Repair Market.
Environmental restoration and planning
From baseline assessments to long-term planning and monitoring, we help clients restore land in a way that supports both ecological health and production outcomes. Projects can include wetland design, revegetation, erosion control and more.
Carbon markets and ACCU scheme advisory
We guide clients through carbon farming opportunities and the ACCU scheme, helping assess eligibility, calculate emissions, and plan viable offset projects. Advice is grounded, strategic and aligned with Clean Energy Regulator expectations.
WHO WE ARE
RSW Environmental is an environmental consultancy led by experience
RSW Environmental is led by Russel Seawright, a nationally recognised environmental consultant with over 30 years’ experience in natural resource management and large-scale landscape projects. Throughout his career, Russell has delivered major restoration programs, including leading work across the Murray-Darling Basin. His contributions have been recognised with the Banksia Environmental Award – Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year, and Planning Institute of Australia awards for environmental planning and GIS mapping.
As the Founder and Managing Director of RSW Environmental, he brings a rare mix of scientific insight, field-based experience, and policy understanding making his consultancy a trusted partner for landholders, councils, and project developers across South Australia and beyond.
WORKING WITH RSW ENVIRONMENTAL
Direct involvement, practical environmental advice and support from start to finish
When you work with RSW Environmental, you work directly with me, Russ. I personally lead all fieldwork, assessments, and strategy, drawing on decades of environmental consulting experience.
Depending on your project, I may bring in trusted collaborators, including ecologists, carbon specialists, GIS analysts, or drone operators, to ensure we deliver fit-for-purpose outcomes. This means you get both the personal service of an independent consultant and the depth of a capable team when needed.
OUR CAPABILITIES
Consulting capabilities across biodiversity, restoration and carbon projects
RSW Environmental provides deep insight into how land functions and how to improve it. We work with landholders, councils and project partners to support better ecological, regulatory and production outcomes. Our work brings together field knowledge, analysis and planning across a wide range of systems and services.
Understanding land function and supporting decision-making
We assess how landscapes support agricultural production (such as sheep, cattle or cropping), water systems and broader ecological health, then deliver practical advice to improve outcomes. This might include restoring parts of a farm or working with local government on water management strategies such as stormwater infrastructure or wetland design.
Spatial tools for landscape analysis and planning
We also use remote sensing technologies to classify land systems, detect environmental change, and map large properties to support better planning and assessment.
Innovative environmental solutions
We bring innovative solutions, including biochar technologies, nitrogen emission reduction strategies, and other tools that improve climate outcomes, farm productivity and regulatory compliance.
Carbon accounting and emissions management
We support clients in understanding and managing their carbon impact by measuring emissions using ISO-compliant standards and Australian carbon credit methods, identifying on-farm carbon sinks (such as vegetation and soils), and developing carbon accounts to support carbon neutrality or formal certification. We work directly with the Clean Energy Regulator to guide eligible projects under the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI Act), including due diligence and project development.
Navigating biodiversity frameworks and funding opportunities
Our work also includes biodiversity assessments and navigating opportunities under state and federal biodiversity credit schemes. These programs can offer land managers the potential to receive funding to protect, manage and enhance native ecosystems.
RSW Environmental
WHY CHOOSE US
Trusted expertise in land management, carbon and restoration planning
Over 30 years of field-based environmental expertise
Personal service from an experienced consultant plus access to a multidisciplinary team
Deep knowledge of Australian ecosystems and the regulations that govern them
Recognised expertise in carbon markets, biodiversity offsets, and environmental policy
Skilled at aligning environmental outcomes with production goals, funding streams, and ESG strategies
Proven ability to blend science with on-ground practicality for results that work in the real world
Supported by a trusted network of ecologists, engineers, drone analysts, and carbon specialists
Up to date with the latest carbon methods, restoration frameworks, and digital mapping tools
COMPLEX LAND SYSTEMS
Specialist expertise in complex land systems
We provide targeted land system advice and environmental management planning across a range of complex ecological zones, including Rangelands, Mediterranean Zones, Wetlands, & Watercourses. The work in these areas blends ecological science with practical land management to improve environmental conditions and landholder outcomes.
What we do
Land system classification and landscape function analysis
Using desktop data, remote sensing, and field observations to assess soil, vegetation, hydrology, and landform interactions.
Degradation diagnosis and threat mapping
Identifying processes like erosion, salinity, woody thickening, overgrazing, or weed incursion, and mapping their extent across a property or region.
Targeted ecological advice
Recommending interventions suited to the system e.g., passive regeneration in rangelands, understorey rebuilding in Mediterranean zones, or hydrological adjustments in degraded wetlands.
Site-specific management plans
Designed to restore ecological function, manage disturbance, and support productive outcomes (e.g., grazing optimisation, biodiversity uplift, or flood mitigation).
Monitoring frameworks
With metrics linked to landscape health indicators like ground cover, infiltration, native species presence, or carbon sequestration potential.
Alignment with funding and regulatory programs
Plans are often linked to grant funding, stewardship programs, or credit-generating opportunities (e.g., Nature Repair Market, SEB offsets).
OUR CUSTOMERS
Environmental consulting services for landholders, councils and carbon developers
We support people and organisations responsible for managing land and making decisions that affect its condition, productivity or long-term value. Our clients come from a wide range of sectors but share a common need for practical, science-informed advice.
Farmers and graziers
Looking to understand their landscape, reduce emissions, improve productivity or explore carbon and biodiversity markets.
Local and regional councils
Seeking ecological input for urban planning, wetland design, native vegetation compliance and stormwater infrastructure.
Environmental NGOs and Landcare groups
Needing site assessments, reporting or scientific input to secure funding, deliver projects or plan restoration works.
Carbon project developers and platforms
Requiring on-ground due diligence, mapping, assessment, and reporting that are aligned with Clean Energy Regulatory requirements.
Organisations in the emerging bioeconomy
Including those exploring biochar, emissions reduction tools, regenerative ag tech, and setting strategies linked to land outcomes.
GIS mapping for environmental planning
GIS MAPPING
GIS mapping and drone data in environmental planning
We use GIS mapping and drone data as core tools in nearly every project. These technologies help us visualise landscapes, assess conditions, track change, and support better environmental planning decisions, whether it’s a farmer identifying priority revegetation zones or a council mapping wetland boundaries.
How we use spatial tools
Our mapping and analysis are done in-house using GIS and remote sensing tools. We partner with trusted, licensed operators for drone work to ensure cost-effective, high-resolution results.
Land and vegetation mapping
We classify ecological zones, condition classes, and land systems using spatial layers, ground-truthed data, and remote sensing platforms.
Drone-based aerial imagery
High-resolution images capture erosion, vegetation structure, or water flow, which is especially useful in wetlands, riparian corridors, and steep terrain.
Change detection and monitoring
Time-series analysis helps us track regeneration, ground cover changes, or disturbance impacts.
Spatial restoration planning
We produce GIS-based property maps showing staged works, fencing, erosion control, and more.
LOCATIONS & SECTORS
Environmental consulting across South Australia and key land management sectors
RSW Environmental is based in the Adelaide Hills and works across South Australia from pastoral regions and the Eyre Peninsula to the Mallee, Hills and Fleurieu. Projects span metro, regional and remote areas, including work interstate for clients needing land system advice, mapping and carbon market guidance.
We support a range of sectors involved in land management, planning and environmental improvement.
Agriculture
Supporting mixed farmers, graziers and landholders with assessments, planning and market participation
Local government
Assisting councils with ecological planning, native vegetation, water management and reporting
Environmental and NRM organisations
Providing technical input to help secure grants, assess sites and guide project delivery
Carbon market and climate solution providers
Offering due diligence, mapping, fieldwork and regulatory alignment
Emerging industries
Including biochar, regenerative ag tech and nature-based solution platforms
Get in touch about your environmental project
If you’re exploring restoration options, need carbon compliance advice, or want expert insight into how your land functions, let’s start with a conversation. Send an enquiry using the form below. I personally lead every project and provide clear, practical advice from day one. RSW Environmental works with clients across South Australia and interstate by request.
Thanks, Russ