About Us

Zander Associates principals, Michael Zander and Leslie Zander, bring over 56 years of experience in biology, resource management and regulatory review to the complex task of land use planning in California and elsewhere. They work closely with an experienced staff of biologists, planners and water quality experts on every project, to assure the highest quality of service. Through their dedication to communication, teamwork and negotiated conflict resolution, Zander Associates has established an outstanding reputation in both the public and private sector as a leader in the field of biological resource assessment, planning and management. 

 MICHAEL J. ZANDER, Principal Environmental Scientist

Mr. Zander is a biologist with more than 25 years of professional experience in the environmental consulting field. He specializes in natural resource analysis and biological evaluation but is also well-versed in the planning and legal aspects of land use development. As a project manager, Mr. Zander has directed numerous planning and technical studies, environmental impact assessments and mitigation/restoration plans. As a seasoned biologist, he has conducted sensitive species surveys, habitat evaluations, wetlands assessments and mitigation/monitoring programs. He regularly serves as a principal liaison between clients and regulatory agencies to resolve issues and avoid conflicts between land use and environmental objectives. Mr. Zander can provide: 

* strong negotiation skills relative to natural resource issues

* project management expertise for technical studies and CEQA/NEPA compliance

* sensitive species evaluation, consultation, management planning and permitting

* habitat management/conservation planning

* wetlands assessment and permitting

* mitigation/restoration/monitoring program development and implementation

Summary of Qualifications

Ms. Zander has over 20 years of experience providing environmental consulting services to private sector and public sector clients. A biologist by training, Ms. Zander specializes in the characterization of plant communities and habitat types and integration of the natural community into project design. As a project manager, Ms. Zander has directed numerous planning and technical studies, environmental impact assessments and mitigation/restoration plans for projects throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, the Monterey Bay Area, San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys, Southern California and the Sierra Nevada. She has also participated in project planning and review with project applicants, design teams, resource agencies and local jurisdictions and specializes in regional planning for biological resources. She has worked extensively with wetland and endangered species permitting processes and environmental review pursuant to NEPA and CEQA. Ms. Zander's technical experience includes: 

* design and implementation of rare and endangered species population studies

* quantitative vegetation analysis and habitat evaluation procedures

* multiparameter wetlands assessments

* mitigation plan development, implementation and monitoring

* opportunities and constraints analyses

* construction monitoring

* endangered species consultation and permitting processes

* wetlands permitting process

* development of policies and programs addressing regional planning for biological resources

Summary of Qualifications

SANDRA MEYERS, GIS/CAD Program Manager

Ms. Meyers is a biologist and graphics technician trained in
geographic information systems (GIS) and computer assisted
development and design (CAD) and their applications in the
environmental field.  She specializes in the interpretation of
aerial and topographic imagery for the purposes of environmental
analysis and presentation.  She is proficient in adapting the tools
available through computerized graphic systems for in-depth
natural resource analysis and biological evaluation.  She regularly
works with engineers, planners, designers and other technicians
to clearly depict and quantify baseline characteristics, site
constraints, and environmental impacts. Ms. Meyers' experience includes:

* the production of high quality graphics for the purpose of natural resource analysis

* extensive experience in AutoCAD and ArcGIS

* transformation and overlay of GIS layers, including dxf, raster, drawing and shape files

* California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) queries and mapping with CNDDB GIS layers

Summary of Qualifications

ERIN AVERY, Senior Biologist

Ms. Avery is a biologist specializing in plant ecology and natural resource analysis.  She has worked with clients and resource agencies performing a variety of environmental planning functions, and has practical experience in the preparation of habitat conservation plans, habitat protection plans, biological resource assessments and impact analyses.  Ms. Avery conducts rare plant surveys and has participated in numerous wetland assessments and wildlife surveys, including for black legless lizard, California tiger salamander, and migratory bird species.  She has developed, implemented and monitored mitigation and restoration plans and has performed assessments of environmentally sensitive habitat areas (ESHAs) under jurisdiction of the California Coastal Commission. Ms. Avery has extensive experience using GPS to map natural resources, and is proficient at working with GPS layers, along with GIS layers and maps provided by planners, engineers and from the California Natural Diversity Database to conduct resource analyses and create biological resource maps. She has a working understanding of environmental regulations including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the California Coastal Act.  Her experience includes:

* biological resource assessment, vegetation community mapping, sensitive species surveys

* wetland assessments

* project review for compliance with environmental regulations

* understanding of wetlands and endangered species permitting requirements and procedures

* preparation of environmental documents, including habitat conservation and habitat protection plans

* development of habitat mitigation, management and restoration plans

* use of GPS/GIS for mapping and resource analysis

* mitigation/restoration monitoring

Summary of Qualifications

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