Bio
Dr. Shahin Ansari is a senior plant ecologist based in Hawaii. She has more than 22 years of experience working in diverse ecosystems across all main Hawaiian Islands. Dr. Ansari applies her extensive knowledge of botany, wetlands, vegetation ecology, invasion biology, and conservation biology to help address clients’ complex ecological problems. She has worked successfully with federal, state, and local governments, and the private sector to develop natural resource management and conservation plans. For environmental permitting projects, Dr. Ansari leads comprehensive botanical inventories to identify plants, describes vegetation types, quantifies species abundance and habitat distribution, and conducts Section 7 consultations per the Endangered Species Act. She also conducts wetland studies and prepares technical reports to meet requirements of Section 404/10 of the Clean Water Act. Both efficient and insightful, Dr. Ansari is also adept at managing multiple projects simultaneously. On complex large projects, she is skilled at coordinating and synthesizing technical input from subject matter experts as well as from the community.
Prior to joining Integral Consulting, Dr. Ansari was a project manager at H. T. Harvey & Associates where she worked for more than a decade.
Relevant Experience
Wildlife, Botany, and Permitting
County of Maui Wetlands Overlay Map Creation Project, Maui, Hawai‘i — Served as wetland ecologist and project manager to map existing and potential wetlands on Maui, Moloka‘i, and Lāna‘i. Contributed to drafting of a gap assessment document regarding mapping of wetlands on Maui and in Hawai‘i.
Hawai‘i Interagency Biosecurity Plan, Statewide, Hawai‘i — Led a team of invasive species experts and served as invasive species ecologist and subject matter expert for the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture’s 10-year Hawai‘i Interagency Biosecurity Plan, which is a road map for Hawai‘i to mitigate the introduction and spread of invasive species. Conducted multi-agency scoping meetings and extensive statewide community engagement sessions with representatives from private industry (e.g. landscaping businesses and plant nursery owners) and the public at-large to gather input for this plan. Served as lead author and compiler of the State’s Biosecurity Plan.
Turtle Bay Resort Forest Management and Sand Dune Restoration Plan, Kahuku, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i — Developed the Forest Management and Sand Dune Restoration Plan for BRE Turtle Bay Resort Development (TBR). This plan helped TBR fulfill the County Department of Planning and Permitting’s environmental requirements and provided TBR technical guidance to enhance their ocean front property and conduct various nature-based activities in an ecologically sound manner.
Hawai‘i Forest Action Plan Update, Honolulu, Hawai‘i — Served as project manager and lead author . This included conducting interviews and scoping sessions with subject matter experts from relevant specialties such as forest health, urban and community forestry, wildfire, climate change, and native biodiversity. Included consultations with the State’s Forest Stewardship Committee and members of the Forest Legacy Program to update and produce the 2016 Forest Action Plan document.
Kamehamenui Forest Reserve Management Plan, Kula, Maui, Hawai‘i — As project manager and plant ecologist, works with the Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) on developing the first management plan for the Kamehamenui Forest Reserve on Maui. Assists DOFAW with developing a multiuse management plan that explores the full potential of Kamehamenui for diverse uses such as protecting endangered wildlife and plants, habitat restoration, watershed enhancement, and recreational activities such as hiking and camping, while simultaneously being grounded in sound ecological science and responsible land stewardship. The team coordinated multiple stakeholder scoping meetings that allowed for a transparent process when developing this multiuse plan. This management plan will allow DOFAW to efficiently steward and manage the lands of Kamehamenui for multiple uses in an adaptive manner.
Lāna‘i Game Hunting Area—Management Steering Document, Lāna‘i, Hawai‘i — As project manager, led a team of experts to develop the Lāna‘i Cooperative Game Management Area (LCGMA) steering document and guided DOFAW in the creation of a comprehensive game management plan for the LCGMA. LCGMA is a 30,000 acre hunting area on the western third of the island. The steering document and subsequent management plan will define a long-term sustainable game management program that provides game bird and mammal hunting and other recreational benefits for current and future generations while maintaining a healthy ecosystem and minimizing the impact to cultural resources in the LCGMA. Contributed to drafting the existing management strategies, gaps and opportunities, and future goals and objectives as they relate to native habitats, threatened and endangered species, and habitat degradation at LCGMA.
He‘eia National Estuarine Research Reserve Permitting Services, Kāne‘ohe, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i — Supported efforts of a larger consultant team to designate the first National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) in Hawai‘i at He‘eia on O‘ahu. The Hawai‘i-based team of ecologists conducted a review and analysis of data gaps concerning the terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems in the area; provided the environmental impact statement analysis of effects on biological resources; and prepared the NERR strategic plan and site management plan.
Honoapi‘ilani Highway Wetland Delineation Services, Maui, Hawai‘i — Served as botanist, wetland ecologist, and project manager. Conducted wetland studies delineating a complex mosaic of coastal wetlands and other waters in over 900 acres from Ukumehame to Launiopoko in west Maui in support of Hawai‘i Department of Transportation’s (HDOT) environmental planning and permitting for the Honoapi‘ilani Highway Realignment Project. Prepared technical reports and drafted memorandums to update proposed wetland jurisdictional determinations to meet Clean Water Act Section 404 regulations following supreme court’s decision in Sackett v. the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Hakalau Bridge Biological Services, Hilo, Hawai‘i — As botanist and wetland ecologist, conducted biological surveys for the Hakalau Bridge Rehabilitation Project on Hawai‘i Island. Delineated the extent of Section 404 and Section 10 waters of Hakalau Stream and associated Section 404 wetlands. Drafted technical reports that met the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requirements.
Melink Solar Wetland Constraints Analysis, Waialua, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i — Served as plant ecologist for Melink Solar Development in Waialua, O‘ahu. Surveyed existing and abandoned agricultural lands to determine if potentially jurisdictional wetlands or other waters may be present and prepared a wetland constraints analysis report in support of the environmental permitting for the proposed project site.
West Side Shared Use Path, Waimea to Kekaha Project Wetland Delineation, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i — Served as project manager and wetland ecologist for County of Kaua‘i’s proposed project to develop a shared use path in west Kaua‘i between the towns of Waimea and Kekaha. Determined the potential jurisdictional status of the Kīkīaola Drainage Canal and associated wetlands in the Kekaha region that informed the County about likely use of an old County agricultural bridge as part of the shared use path.
Kamehameha Highway Wetland Delineations, Laniākea, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i — As plant ecologist, delineated the extent of Section 404 waters on both banks of the Lauhulu Stream for HDOT’s Kamehameha Highway Pedestrian Safety Project in the vicinity of Laniākea. Results of the study helped finalize the design and location of the proposed new pedestrian bridge over the stream.
Section 7 Support for Wailua Beach Restoration, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i — Served as ecologist and project manager for an innovative project to create and restore (lost) sand at Wailua Beach after storm events on Kaua‘i. Drafted biological assessment document and coordinated consultations with regulatory agencies for HDOT under Section 7 of the ESA. The project included significant repairs to highway-beach interface and installation of Sandsaver© blocks to facilitate natural accretion of sand and restorative processes of the Wailua Beach shoreline adjacent to Kūhiō Highway.
Baseline Biological Surveys for the Hawai‘i Army National Guard on the Islands of Kaua‘i, O‘ahu and Hawai‘i — Served as project manager and subject matter expert in vegetation ecology for planning level surveys on three Hawai‘i Army National Guard sites: Keaukaha Military Reservation, Hilo; Regional Training Institute, O‘ahu, and Kekaha Firing Range, Kaua‘i. Led a team of botanists, wildlife biologists, and GIS experts to map the vegetation at these sites. Developed strategies to ground-truth vegetation from high resolution aerial imagery of land cover to then rectify aerial maps and produce a map of the vegetation communities. Drafted reports and prepared a comprehensive inventory of observed plants, birds, and invertebrates for all three sites. Developed conservation mitigation measures for endemic and special status plant and animal species and measures to minimize the spread of invasive species including the Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death forest disease.
Biological Support for Waikolu Valley Irrigation System Repairs Project, Mōloka‘i, Hawai‘i — Served as botanist and project manager for an infrastructure repairs project in the Waikolu watershed. Conducted botanical surveys, identified vegetation communities and native plant species, and prepared the technical report with recommendations to avoid and minimize impacts to sensitive habitats and native plants. Coordinated with project entomologist and synthesized results of the native damselfly surveys.
Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative Habitat Conservation Plan, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i — Served as project manager and botanist to support preparation of the environmental impact statement (EIS) for implementation of an island wide Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) that proposed a 30-year strategy to mitigate incidental take of protected seabirds on Kaua‘i. Coordinated with wildlife biologists, reviewed population models, and drafted sections of the Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences and Cumulative Effects chapters of the HCP. Compiled, reviewed, and synthesized technical assessments from other biologists to finalize these EIS sections.
Conservation District Use Permit, Niumalu, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i — As plant ecologist, conducted biological surveys for a private landowner in Niumalu to determine presence of rare, threatened, or endangered plants on the property. Prepared technical report and the Conservation District Use Permit application to assist the landowner seeking concurrence on whether the proposed trail development activities on the property are within the Conservation District Rules.
Blackburn’s Sphinx Moth Surveys, Maui, Hawai‘i — Served as plant ecologist for DLNR’s project to support permitting for construction of the Central Maui Regional Park south of Kahului, Maui. Conducted comprehensive surveys and quantified the presence of tree tobacco which are host plants for the endangered Blackburn’s sphinx moth, documented leaf damage caused by feeding of larvae, and assisted the project entomologist in identifying eggs and larvae on tree tobacco plants. Prepared technical report with recommendations to avoid and minimize impacts on Blackburn’s sphinx moth.
Preconstruction Biological Monitoring for Waimea Canyon Drive Kōke‘e Road, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i — Served as botanist and project manager to support preconstruction biological monitoring along the Waimea Canyon Drive and Kōke‘e Road in west Kaua‘i. Identified, tagged, and mapped large native koa and native sandalwood. Prepared training materials to help construction crew identify species and prepared technical report of findings with recommendations to avoid and minimize impacts to these taxa.
Education & Credentials
Highlights
More than 20 years of experience
Plant ecology
Vegetation ecology and Hawaiian flora
Conservation and management planning
Invasive species ecology and management
Wetland delineation and permitting
Biological studies in support of NEPA and HEPA
Restoration ecology
Education & Credentials
Ph.D., Botany, University of Hawai‘i, Mānoa, 2007
M.S., Botany, University of Bombay, India, 1994
Professional Experience
Senior ecologist 2, H. T. Harvey & Associates, 2014–July 2026
SWCA Environmental Consultants, plant ecologist/project manager, 2007–2014; botanist, 2003–2007
Weed risk assessment specialist, State of Hawaii, 2006–2007