Supporting Local Communities and Protecting Wildlife
At Bell Geospace, we take our responsibility to local communities and the environment seriously. Our commitment to responsible airborne surveying goes far beyond regulatory compliance — it is built on proactive engagement, transparency, and a deep respect for wildlife and cultural heritage.
Transparent Communication and Outreach
More often than not, outreach and media relations are handled directly by our clients. However, we are always ready to support these efforts whenever needed. In certain cases such as speculative surveys or when specific requirements arise we have taken a proactive role ourselves. This has included contacting local councils, radio stations, and even national news outlets to inform communities about our activities and address potential concerns upfront. By providing clear information, we help build trust and reduce misunderstandings before operations begin.
Addressing Concerns for Wildlife
A memorable example of our commitment to wildlife protection involved concerns raised about seals along the Cornish coast. When a conservation charity voiced worries over potential seal disturbance, we were able to provide reassurance that we would provide flight plans and respect their advice about flight plans We adjusted flight plans to avoid sensitive wildlife sites during breeding seasons, even dropping key survey lines entirely. Ultimately, the charity concerned expressed their appreciation for our responsiveness and care. Sue Sayer MBE from the Seal Research Trust said she ‘hugely appreciated the positive engagement that SRT had with Bell Geospace, who were understanding, respectful and responsive to the needs of our globally rare grey seals’.
Mitigating Impact on Horses and Livestock
Understanding that horses and other livestock can be sensitive to low-flying aircraft, we have developed a robust communication strategy with animal owners. We provide advance notice, offer a dedicated helpline, and allow the public to track our aircraft in real time.
In one case in Sweden, a horse owner expressed concern due to prior negative experiences with helicopters. By directly engaging with them, explaining our higher altitude operations, and adapting our flight paths, we were able to conduct the survey without distressing the animals.
As this Cornwall resident describes in the video, horse owners are often pleasantly surprised once they actually experience our aircraft in operation. More often than not, horses are entirely unimpacted by our flights many continue eating or simply prick their ears up briefly before returning to normal behaviour.
This firsthand reassurance helps build trust and confidence in our careful approach.
Respecting Indigenous and Cultural Considerations
Bell Geospace is also deeply committed to respecting Indigenous rights and cultural sensitivities. In Zambia, Canada, and other regions, we work closely with tribal chiefs, First Nations, and local representatives to secure verbal and formal written permissions before any flight operations. In Canada, for example, we once delayed a survey to obtain proper approvals after discovering a missing formal consent, reinforcing our principle of “permission first.”
Seasonal and Regional Adaptation
Wildlife patterns and sensitivities can vary with the seasons. Our experience in Cornwall highlighted the importance of this, as surveys conducted at different times of the year required adjustments to account for seal presence. Similarly, in Sweden, we adapted our flight schedules to accommodate reindeer herds, even delaying operations by several weeks to avoid sensitive periods.
Protecting Bird Populations
We take care to mitigate impacts on birdlife. During a survey in Sweden, concerns were raised about eagles and owls nesting along the coast. By consulting with ornithological organisations and the Swedish Geological Survey, we modified our flight blocks and increased altitudes where necessary to protect these species while still achieving our data collection goals.
Planning for the Future
These experiences have shaped our proactive approach to project planning. We prioritise early identification of environmental and cultural considerations to avoid conflicts and ensure that our operations are respectful and sustainable. Risk assessment for community and environmental impact is a key element early on in every project that we get involved in. This ongoing commitment allows us to support local communities, protect wildlife, and deliver world-class geophysical data responsibly.