Our Story
Skylark Ecological Consulting Ltd. was born out of boots-on-the-ground experience, a deep respect for wild places, and a shared vision for doing science with integrity.
Julia Burger and Derek Keeping spearheaded a collaborative wildlife research project in Botswana’s Kalahari Desert in 2008. Their work combined traditional San tracking knowledge and expert trackers with modern ecological methods to study wildlife movements and habitat use—an experience that shaped their field-first approach to science and laid the foundation for a strong professional partnership.
In 2011, they co-founded Skylark Ecological Consulting Ltd. with the goal of offering expert ecological services grounded in practical field knowledge, scientific rigour, and clear communication. Over the last 14 years, Skylark has grown into a trusted consulting firm operating across Western Canada, known for its adaptability, collaborative approach, and deep expertise in remote and sensitive environments.
Whether in the arctic, the grasslands, the boreal forest, or the coastal mountains of British Columbia, Derek and Julia continue to bring the same curiosity, respect, and field-hardened experience to every project.
Julia Burger, R.P.Bio, PBiol
Julia Burger is a senior wildlife ecologist with nearly 25 years of experience delivering ecological expertise in some of Canada’s and southern Africa’s most remote and sensitive environments. She has led hundreds of wildlife and vegetation surveys, Species at Risk assessments, and mitigation programs across prairie, boreal, coastal, mountain, and arctic ecosystems—bringing deep field knowledge, scientific rigour, and a practical, solutions-oriented approach to every project.
Julia is known for her sharp field sense and keen observational skills—attributes that have earned her the nickname “eagle eyes” among colleagues. A lifelong naturalist, she brings both professional discipline and an intuitive understanding of ecological systems to her work, whether tracking mammals in deep snow or developing mitigation strategies for major infrastructure projects.
Julia co-founded Skylark Ecological Consulting Ltd. in 2011 and plays a key leadership role in shaping the company’s adaptive, field-focused approach to environmental consulting. Her collaborative style and commitment to clear, and inclusive communication underpin Skylark’s success in delivering high-quality work for clients across Western Canada.
Internationally, Julia co-founded a wildlife research initiative in Botswana’s remote Kalahari Desert. This project, which integrates San traditional tracking knowledge with contemporary ecological research, has evolved into the Kalahari Camelback Trackers program—an innovative conservation effort using camels to enable remote wildlife surveys. Julia remains actively involved as a research associate, supporting both fieldwork, research publications, public outreach and long-term conservation outcomes.
In addition to her consulting work, Julia is an accomplished conservation photographer whose images reflect the beauty and vulnerability of the natural world. Her photography has been exhibited nationally and internationally, most recently featured in Botswana Post’s 2025 Antelope Stamp Series. Her work can be viewed at Sauvage Nature Photo.
Derek Keeping, R.P.Bio, PBiol
Derek Keeping is a seasoned field ecologist with over 20 years of experience in environmental consulting, research, and applied conservation across western Canada and southern Africa. A specialist in birds and mammals, Derek is known for his thoughtful approach to fieldwork and his ability to design and deliver effective, science-based solutions for wildlife and vegetation assessments, Species at Risk surveys, and mitigation planning.
Growing up in rural Alberta, Derek’s childhood fascination with dinosaurs evolved into an enduring love for birds—he started his first life list at age eight. That early passion grew into a career grounded in curiosity, careful observation, and a drive to bridge scientific knowledge with practical conservation outcomes.
Derek has developed a reputation as a knowledgeable yet down-to-earth field scientist, respected for his skill in executing data collection programs safely, efficiently, and with accuracy. His strengths lie not only in the field, but also in distilling complex ecological data into clear, actionable reporting that supports regulatory processes and on-the-ground decisions.
In addition to co-founding Skylark with Julia Burger in 2011, Derek is the galvanizing force behind the long-running Kalahari Camelback Trackers project in Botswana. Through this initiative, a group of dedicated researchers work alongside San expert trackers, a team of camels, and a team of funders to facilitate long-range wildlife surveys and conservation research in one of the most remote and ecologically rich regions on Earth.
