Science-based ecological consulting for the Northeast’s rare and resilient landscapes

Rewild Ecological is a mission-driven environmental consulting firm helping conservation organizations and private landowners turn ecological knowledge into informed decisions, practical strategies, and measurable conservation outcomes through field science, planning, and restoration.

Explore our 2026 projects here.

Michael Whittemore of Rewild Ecological presents the ecology, history, and ongoing study of The Bowl Research Natural Area, one of the White Mountains’ most remarkable old-growth forests. Hosted by the Wonalancet Out Door Club at the Wonalancet Chapel, the talk highlights botanical research conducted in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and community-based conservation efforts.

A recent talk delivered by our founder, Michael Whittemore, at the Sustaining Biodiversity in Sandplain Grasslands conference detailing a regional study and forthcoming paper describing the flora, extent, and rare species of imperiled Sandplain Grassland. This project showcases our approach of using science to improve applied restoration outcomes for our clients, and the region.

Founded in 2019 by ecologist Michael Whittemore, Rewild Ecological helps conservation organizations, environmental consultants, and private landowners turn ecological knowledge into meaningful conservation outcomes.

Approximately 77% of land in the Northeast remains unprotected, much of it in private ownership. Permanent conservation is not always possible—or desired—but many landowners still want to better understand the biodiversity on their property and manage their land for ecological health, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience. Rewild Ecological provides the scientific expertise needed to support informed stewardship, even when permanent land protection is not an option.

We also help conservation organizations overcome limited budgets and gaps in technical capacity through ecological assessments, biological inventories, restoration planning, data-driven management, and long-term monitoring. By translating complex ecological information into practical strategies, we help organizations strengthen conservation programs, make defensible land-management decisions, track results over time, and communicate their impact to funders, partners, and communities.

Field science. Practical conservation. Measurable results.

Services

Rewild Ecological helps conservation organizations, environmental consultants, and private landowners turn ecological information into practical, measurable conservation outcomes through science, strategy, and restoration.

Our services include biological inventories, ecological assessments, field data collection and analysis, GIS and cartography, conservation program evaluation, strategic planning, scientific research, restoration planning, and long-term ecological monitoring.

Group of people in a forest conducting a field study, examining plants or soil, wearing outdoor clothing and safety gear.

Science

A circular infographic illustrating the 8 steps of strategic planning. The steps include defining the vision, analyzing the environment, establishing strategic objectives, developing strategies and initiatives, plan resources and capabilities, implement the plan, monitor and measure progress, review and adapt. Each step is represented with a different color and icon.

Biological Inventory, Database Management, Data Analysis, Cartography, Scientific Research, Long-term Ecological Monitoring

Strategy

Construction equipment and trucks on a dirt lot with trees in the background.

Conservation Program Assessment, Data-Driven Strategic Planning, File Organization & Digitization, Systems Upgrades

Restoration

Habitat Management Plans, Ecological Restoration Planning, Contracting, Seed Sourcing, Project Oversight

About Rewild Ecological

A smiling man with dark hair, a beard, and a mustache wearing a patterned button-up shirt, standing outdoors with green trees in the background.

Michael Whittemore is a botanist, landscape ecologist, and restoration practitioner with more than a decade of experience leading conservation and ecological restoration initiatives across New England. Through Rewild Ecological, he draws on leadership experience with organizations including The Nature Conservancy, Frenchman Bay Conservancy, and the Central Pine Barrens Commission.

Michael earned an MS in Environmental Studies from Ohio University, where he mapped plant communities across a 2,000-acre old-growth forest preserve for his thesis. He has also worked with the US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, and Woodwell Climate Research Center on ecological monitoring, restoration research, and biodiversity conservation.

His work specializes in ecological restoration, floristic inventories, vegetation mapping, and stewardship planning across the northeastern United States, with a focus on combining rigorous field science with practical conservation action across the Northeast’s most imperiled landscapes.

Outside of work, Michael enjoys trail running, ocean kayaking, and visiting old-growth forests. See his outdoor adventure blog.

Media Portfolio

  • A person examining a plant root with a fork in a grassy field.

    Science Friday: Restoring New England Blazingstar

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  • Landscape of a forest with sparse trees, some evergreens, and leafless deciduous trees, with a cloudy sky overhead.

    Vineyard Gazette: Clearing the Way for Frost Bottom Preservation

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  • A man wearing a gray shirt and black and red headphones around his neck, outdoors in a natural setting, holding onto a small tree with pink ribbon tied around its thin trunk.

    WBUR: Restoring Rare Moth Habitat

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  • A man wearing a beige cap, dark blue jacket, and khaki pants standing outdoors in front of a body of water with trees and hills in the background, under a clear blue sky.

    MV Times: A Passion for Conservation

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  • Screenshot of a news website featuring an article about the Frenchman Bay Conservancy revitalizing the site of the former Bar Harbor Golf Course. The page includes a large image of a landscape with trees, a body of water, and a cloudy sky, along with a play button indicating a video. The website header shows the WABI 5 logo and navigation options. A green advertisement banner is visible above the article title.

    WABI5: Frenchman Bay Conservancy Jordan River Restoration

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  • A person wearing a cap and jacket, crouched in tall grass, holding a small red flower, on Martha's Vineyard.

    The Nature Conservancy: Restoring Unique Habitats on Martha's Vineyard

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  • A person giving a presentation on a large screen displaying a slide about rare species, including images of plants and graphs showing the number of rare species by state.

    Long Island Natural History Conference: Sandplain Grassland Flora, Status and Map

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  • Slide showing a title slide for a presentation on 'Distribution, Status, and Flora of Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain Heathland and Grassland,' with a list of authors and a background image of a grassy landscape with a cloudy sky.

    Sandplain Grassland Conference: My talk detailing a paper I'm submitting to a conservation journal

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Contact Us

If you're interested in working with us, we welcome you to complete the form below with a few details about your project, or email us at michael@rewildecological.com. We'll review your message and get back to you within 48 hours.

Group of people in a wooded outdoor area examining something on the ground, some wearing safety vests and hats, and one person holding a rolled-up paper or map.