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Meet The Scrub Team

Our team is led by Scrub founders, Rodney and Jane Straka.  Both Rodney and Jane are ecologists and bring expert knowledge and a passion for working on environmental restoration projects that have meaningful ecological outcomes. 

Scrub operates with the highest standards of both environmental best practice, and Health and Safety protocols.  Scrub employs a team of talented and experienced ecologists, horticulturalists, and operational crews to support its projects. 

 

Rodney Straka

Restoration Ecologist, Director Scrub

Rodney has had over 20 years of experience providing advice on ecology led environmental and conservation projects.  Rodney is well known for his restoration and ecology work in the greater Auckland region.  With a rural background and technical and practical knowledge in all aspects of restoration ecology, Rodney brings a unique blend of skills to any project he is involved in.

Rodney oversees Scrubs ecologists and operational teams, ensuring an ecology- based approach to every project.

 

Rodney has a Bachelor of Resource Studies majoring in forest ecology, from Lincoln University. He is a member of the Auckland Botanical Society, and the New Zealand Ecological Society. Rodney is a Registered Chemical Applicator (RCA), holding certificates in herbicide, agrichemical use and handling, chainsaw safety, UTV/ATA use, first aid, and toxin handling (CSL for cyanide use).

Jane Straka

Ecologist, Director Scrub

Jane oversees Scrub’s specialised native plant nursery, undertakes all the seed collection for the ecosourcing of Scrubs plants and supports the field teams with their planting projects. 

Jane has a Bachelors’ degree in Plant Science and Ecology from Massey University, and a Bachelor of Architecture (Hons).  Jane is a member of the International Plant Propagators Society, the NZPPI Science and Technology sub committee and the NZPPI Native Revegetation Special Interest Group.  

 

Jane holds a Level 4 advanced certificate in Horticulture (nursery production) along with certificates in herbicide/agrichemical use and handling, chainsaw safety, and UTA/ATV use.

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Claire Merchant

Scrub Nursery Manager

Claire leads our busy nursery team onsite in Wainui, north of Auckland

 

She has been a valued member of the team for over 12 years and has experience in seed collecting, propagation, production and dispatch.

"I have enjoyed watching and being part of the nurseries growth and development over the last 12 years and producing top quality plants, I also enjoy production season when new staff arrive, teaching them and getting stuck into a intense summer season of potting up seedlings and the satisfaction of seeing the nursery come alive "

Contact Claire: claire@scrub.co.nz 

021 135 5066

Gabriel Daniels

Scrub Operations Manager

Gabriel leads Scrub’s Operations, which involves managing our field crew, and all operational logistics and daily planning across multiple jobs.   

 

Gabriel focuses on ensuring the highest standards of delivery, strict adherence to health and safety and environmental best practice on every project.

 

Gabriel has a degree in Human Resource Management, is a Registered Chemical Applicator (RCA) and holds certificates in Outdoor first aid, chainsaw safety and LUV/UTV use. He is a member of the NZ Biosecurity Institute.

Contact Gabriel: gabriel@scrub.co.nz 

021 279 3405

Mark Klassen

Restoration Ecologist

Mark has a MSc. in Environmental Sciences & Policy, and graduated with Distinction.

His work at Scrub involves specialization in restoration planting plans, pest management plans, bush and wetland assessments, and impact assessments.

Mark also manages our drone aerial and GIS mapping work.

Contact Mark: mark@scrub.co.nz or 021 026 84857

IS mapping work.

Fleur Dixon

Administration Manager

Fleur is the Administration Manager looking after accounts and HR for Scrub.  She has been with the company since 2011 with a few sabbaticals along the way for overseas travel and other contract roles. 

Fleur is an experienced senior administrator. Her career has seen her work in a variety of industries in both privately held and public companies.

 

She also takes on various ad-hoc projects within the company including  marketing,  project management, IT support, and website design/maintenance.

Fleur holds a Diploma in Business and a Diploma in Business Administration.

Contact Fleur: fleur@scrub.co.nz or 021 844 027

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