About

A Leading Environmental Consultant in Southern California

Reliable and Responsive

A reputable team with high-quality standards, attention to detail, and excellent customer service.

Environmental regulations have become more complex, and we know that navigating the regulatory environment in California can be a challenge. To fully understand your next steps, you need a talented team of biological consulting specialists to help you move forward.

Rocks Biological Consulting specializes in biological analysis and regulatory permitting. RBC’s team of well-respected experts guide clients through the complex regulatory maze in California. We’re your partners who conduct biological surveys, habitat assessments, threatened/ endangered species surveys, and wetland delineations, to name a few.

We’ll work for you to assess project constraints and work on your behalf to satisfy regulatory agencies while maintaining your project’s forward momentum.

OUR STORY

Established. Trusted. Respected.

Rocks Biological Consulting possesses a level of proficiency rare among small environmental consulting firms.

We have the experience to deliver high-quality work while keeping projects on schedule and within budget. We have led projects large and small, written hundreds of technical reports, and performed thousands of biological surveys, including focused species surveys and aquatic resource delineations. Our team of experts is well-versed in California flora, fauna, and habitats as well as local, state, and federal environmental regulations and processing guidelines.

Our team, the right expertise

Our talented team of experts knows exactly what to look for whether it’s listed species, aquatic resources, or critical habitats, and we understand the data and reporting required for regulators. We’ll provide the right expertise to meet your needs.

Jim Rocks

Principal Biologist

Jim Rocks serves as principal biologist for the firm. He is responsible for overseeing project fieldwork

Melanie Rocks

President/Principal

Melanie Rocks serves as a principal planner, project manager, and biologist for RBC. She is responsible for project

Keoni Calantas

Senior Biologist/Project Manager

Keoni Calantas serves as a senior biologist/project manager with more than 9 years of consulting experience, including a wide range of project types

Ian Hirschler

Senior Biologist

Ian Hirschler serves as senior biologist for RBC and has over six years of professional experience working as a wildlife biologist. Ian holds a B.S. in field and wildlife biology

Hannah Swarthout

Biologist

Hannah Swarthout serves as a biologist for RBC where she assists in conducting protocol surveys for burrowing owls and least Bell’s vireo and performs biological monitoring

Shannon Mindeman

Senior Biologist

Shannon Mindeman has over six years of professional experience working as a wildlife biologist and is well-versed in environmental science, ecology, and evolutionary biology.

Want to work for Rocks?

Great people, dynamic work, flexible schedule, and no corporate BS. With the reinvigorated building environment in San Diego, we are always looking to add passionate biologists to our team. We are currently seeking biologists with at least 3-5 years of experience in southern California field biology or regulatory permitting.

Get in touch

"The Rocks Biological team is smart, professional, and great to work with. I have enjoyed having them as a teaming partner on several projects in Southern California and would highly recommend them. "

Sophia Habl Mitchell

Owner

Sophia Mitchell & Associates

"I first met Jim and the Rocks Biological team over 10 years ago on a project we did together on MCAS Miramar. His group really helped me navigate through tough biological requirements on the project and since that time we continue to use them on projects in the region. We consistently get great service from the Rocks team and we look forward to working with them for years to come.

Albert Valdivia

Vice President

Clark Construction Group

"When we were looking to develop an integrated resources management plan for the Pala Reservation, Rocks Biological immediately responded with a comprehensive proposal that went above and beyond. Selecting Rocks to work with us on this big project was a great decision. They are professional, flexible, and skilled at developing a plan that meets the unique needs of a Tribal nation. I especially appreciate how they have helped me manage my priorities on this project, with patience and gentle nudging when necessary! The entire team is a pleasure to work with and I expect to continue a long and fruitful partnership with Rocks."

Shasta Gaughen

Tribal Historic Preservation Officer

Pala Band of Mission Indians

"... I am very grateful for the professionalism and flexibility that Rocks consistently provides to meet [project] needs and to keep projects moving smoothly. Despite being a smaller firm, the Rocks team also provides a prime-level expertise in a variety of key environmental areas. This allows our City of San Diego projects to receive top-level service and support while also opening up more opportunities to meet contract SLBE participation requirements, which can be challenging on contracts that shift priorities often. Lastly, a huge benefit of partnering with Rocks has been that they are just a fun group to work with and they mirror the main goal we have at our own firm: always taking their work seriously, but not themselves.”

Scott Gressard, MS

Senior Environmental Specialist

Dudek