For more than 40 years, Bloom Biological, Inc. (BBI) has provided biological consulting services for a wide range of industries including alternative energy, government agencies, state and city utilities, and the public sector. Our broad resume of services includes biological surveys and monitoring, impact assessment, permitting, conservation planning, raptor and endangered species research and statistical and GIS analysis.  

Collectively, the management and staff hold permits or memoranda of understanding for participating in the conservation and recovery of more than a dozen endangered, threatened species, or special-status species, in California and the western United States.  We take great pride in keeping abreast of the latest science and publishing frequently to enhance conservation and research. 

Bloom Biological, Inc. is a certified WBE - women's business enterprise, and SBE - small business enterprise.

OUR SERVICES

BIOLOGICAL SURVEYS / MONITORING

Our surveys range from standard, agency-mandated protocol surveys for endangered, threatened, and sensitive species to carefully developed and project-specific surveys, including protocol designs subject to rigid statistical analysis as is becoming commonplace for solar and wind energy siting cases. 

IMPACT ASSESSMENT / PERMITTING

Our biologists have extensive experience preparing documents for alternative energy,  residential development and other industries that fulfill the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), federal and state Endangered Species Acts (federal ESA Section 10(a) permits and Section 7 consultation, state ESA Section 2081 permits), single and multiple-species habitat conservation plans, and other regulatory requirements.

RAPTOR RESEARCH

BBI is the preeminent consulting firm in the western United States for studies of raptors, advising on the interface between development and imperiled species such as Golden Eagles and California Condors.

Founder and principal zoologist for BBI, Peter Bloom was directly involved in the successful efforts to capture all remaining wild free flying California Condors (Gymnogyps californianus) in the 1980’s. Since then BBI has been called upon by numerous clients to provide expertise on this highly endangered species. In addition to the condor, BBI is also considered a primary expert on the status of Swainson's Hawk. We frequently advise on the effects or potential effects of wind power on raptors and other birds.

SPECIES / CONSERVATION

BBI biologists are permitted or qualified to conduct surveys and evaluate potential project effects for most threatened and endangered wildlife species occurring in the State of California. BBI staff have published basic research in the biological sciences in a number of major peer-reviewed scientific journals.  

BBI holds the following agency permits:  

• Federal Endangered Species permits, including special permits to monitor nests, and band, or place transmitters and transponders on certain species.

• Predator management permit.

• Migratory bird (Burrowing Owls etc.) relocation and salvage permits.

• Cowbird trapping authorization.

• Federal bird banding permit.

• California scientific collecting permit.

• California Endangered Species MOUs.

HABITAT ASSESSEMENT / DUE DILIGENCE

BBI conducts general habitat assessments and due diligence studies which are the first steps in determining the types of surveys and other studies likely to be required during environmental review for elucidating project impacts and shaping feasible mitigation measures.

BBI biologists are practiced in evaluating a site’s potential to support endangered or otherwise sensitive species or their habitat, evaluating the nature and significance of project impacts on these resources, and working with project proponents in developing appropriate mitigation measures to avoid, eliminate, or reduce these impacts.

GEOSPATIAL ANALYSIS/ CARTOGRAPHY

BBI has taken a unique approach to geographic information systems by using a variety of open source enterprise-level tools combined in a distinctive way. We utilize the most advanced techniques in GIS to retain and analyze all project data, from simple survey results to the most detailed impact analysis and mitigation planning. The outcome is a central database that drives consistency and efficiency in field data collection. Work products derived from our GIS system are not commonly found throughout the consulting community and improve the quality and appearance of BBI's reports.

OUR CLIENTS.

BBI has established an impeccable relationship with the resource agencies, project proponents, and environmental organizations by balancing the needs and objectives of land planning, resource conservation, and the public interest.  

OUR PROJECTS.

For over 40 years, founder and principal zoologist at BBI, Peter Bloom Ph.D. has been working on long term conservation efforts in California.  He has published on the biology of raptors in more than 40 peer-reviewed scientific papers and technical reports, and has spent over 1000 hours conducting helicopter and fixed-wing nest survey work and aerial radio-tracking of raptors.  He and colleagues have captured nearly 950 Golden Eagles and more than 35,000 other raptors, mostly nestlings, in a quest to learn more about the importance of natal dispersal, philopatry, movements, and unusual migration patterns as they relate to conservation biology.  BBI also employs many lead and supporting biologists with raptor expertise.

Tejon Ranch 1982-1987 / 2004 - Present

BBI conducted large-scale research on California Condors and Golden Eagles including consultation on how to preserve habitat which aided in the preservation of over 240,000 acres of Tejon Ranch. It is a unique achievement in the environmental and development communities and is currently the nation's largest conserved habitat for the Condor.  Management steps include eliminating the use of lead ammunition, providing a full time biologist to oversee monitoring and development, and the undergrounding of new utility lines.  There are over 25 species benefitting from the preservation efforts, including many of the species BBI is permitted to work such as the Burrowing Owl and the Least Bell's Vireo. 

Condor Project  | 1982-1987

While working for the National Audubon Society as one of their staff Scientists, Dr. Peter Bloom directed the field team effort to capture all of the wild free flying California Condors, and along with other Audubon employees, collected a substantial portion of the total VHF data point locations used to document their movements.   This included the capture of 10 condors then known by the names IC-1, AC-2, AC-3, AC-4, AC-5, AC-6, AC-7, AC-8, AC-9 and UN-1.  In 1980 there were 22 condors in the wild, by the end of April 1987 there were zero.   If this controversial program had not been implemented at that time, by the year 2000 the species was predicted to have gone extinct.  He also assisted the zoo veterinarians in the successful capture of the first three chicks brought into captivity. Most importantly, he coordinated the capture of “the last wild condor”, known as AC9.