About US

KRISTIINA OVASKA, PHD

After receiving a doctoral degree from the University of Victoria, I completed two post-doctoral studies in population biology and behavioural ecology with the University of British Columbia and McGill University, respectively. Currently, I am research associate at the Royal British Columbia Museum and scientific adviser for Habitat Acquisition Trust (Victoria, BC). Over the past 20 years, I have carried out numerous surveys and population studies  focusing mainly on amphibians, reptiles,  and terrestrial gastropods in Canada, United States, West Indies, and Panama. My experience includes status assessment, habitat suitability assessment, threat mitigation, and designing wildlife mitigation measures. I have worked extensively on research and management of species at risk and am currently co-chair of Amphibians & Reptiles Species Specialist Committee of COSEWIC (Committee On the Status of Endangered Wildlife). I have published over 40 journal articles and book chapters in refereed scientific literature and have prepared numerous COSEWIC status reports, recovery strategies, and technical reports, as well as outreach materials and pamphlets on conservation issues. I have presented guest lectures at scientific conferences, universities, and research institutions in Canada and internationally.

Email: ke.ovaska@gmail.com

LENNART SOPUCK, MSc, RPBIO.

I have been active in environmental consulting for over 30 years and have directed numerous environmental studies, impact assessments, and wildlife inventories in British Columbia, Alberta, Labrador, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Alaska. My experience covers a wide range of wildlife species including large mammals, waterfowl, upland birds, songbirds, amphibians and terrestrial gastropods.  I have particular expertise in studies investigating the effects of human activities on ecosystem processes and  wildlife. These studies include environmental impact assessments, development of mitigation programs, and baseline surveys associated with various resource developments and activities, such as forest harvesting, mining, oil and gas development, and military training. I am experienced in wildlife habitat and biodiversity assessment, land capability analysis, wildlife inventories, and management of species at risk. I have written numerous technical reports and authored or co-authored 10 scientific journal articles pertaining to wildlife.

Email: lennart@biolinx.ca​

Our Staff

After working within academia and as consultants for projects small and large for many years, we decided to combine our accumulated knowledge and individual expertise within Biolinx Environmental Research Ltd.  The company was formally established in 1999 by two of us, Kristiina Ovaska, PhD, and Lennart Sopuck, MSc, RPBio. Christian Engelstoft MSc, frequently collaborated with us, and we have recently joined forces to more effectively work together. Our expertise includes wildlife-forestry interactions, ecological effects of deer browsing, introduced species research, design and implementation of amphibian monitoring programs, stewardship and management of rare species, and wildlife habitat use studies through mark-recapture and radio-telemetry methods.

Our goal is to use our combined expertise and many years of experience to help conserve biodiversity at home and abroad. We aim to provide environmental services for sustainable use of natural resources through collaboration and innovative approaches.

​​Biolinx Environmental Research Ltd.

Ecological CONSULTING Services

CHRISTIAN ENGELSTOFT, MSc

I have been an environmental consultant in British Columbia since 1995 and previously worked as a wildlife biologist in Denmark. My expertise includes field studies of wetland birds, river otters, black-tailed deer, bats, introduced species, and a variety of species at risk such as Sharp-tailed Snakes and Western Painted Turtles. In addition to my field experience, I have conducted conservation outreach and planning projects for all levels of governments including First Nations. The focus of my recent studies has been on endangered reptiles, including the Sharp-tail Snake and Western Painted Turtle and the effects of deer browsing on rare plants. I have worked extensively with local NGOs on conservation issues. As part of this work, I have designed outreach programs and materials and given workshops and presentations to various community groups, land use planners, and developers. I am the Scientific Adviser to the Sharp-tailed Snake Recovery Team, Western Painted Turtle Recovery Team and actively participate in the Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team.

Email: cengelstoft@gmail.com