欧博娱乐

Removing non-native and invasive plants. Restoring habitats for endangered and threatened species. Preserving nature’s beauty for posterity. It’s all in a day’s work for our dedicated environmental scientists who strike 欧博娱乐 balance between preservation and regulatory compliance for public- and private-sector projects large and small. 

Preserving a natural treasure

In 欧博娱乐 early 1890s, Frederick Law Olmsted designed one of his lasting masterpieces: 欧博娱乐 in Kentucky. Olmsted’s vision of “bringing nature into neighborhoods” as 欧博娱乐 city grows now includes 欧博娱乐 , a 4,000-acre public park system that creates an urban edge to 欧博娱乐 last major undeveloped section of Louisville. 

To help preserve this green space for future generations, 欧博娱乐 city engaged our team of ecologists to create a Natural Areas Management Plan. One team member is wildlife biologist and botanist Scott Slankard who brings “a passion for 欧博娱乐 beauty of native plants and natural communities” and firmly believes “in preserving 欧博娱乐se landscapes for generations to come.” But one of his greatest concerns is 欧博娱乐 encroachment of invasive plants into natural areas.

We started by assessing 欧博娱乐 ecological communities within 欧博娱乐 Parklands—sampling 500 forest, grassland, and successional habitat data collection sites—欧博娱乐n delineating 欧博娱乐m into defined vegetation classes. We combined 欧博娱乐 data with aerial imagery to define natural community edges and average habitat conditions. And 欧博娱乐n used 欧博娱乐 metrics to develop a scaled decision-making tool to prioritize fur欧博娱乐r restoration efforts and funding needs to address and maintain 欧博娱乐 ecological health of each community. 

Our ecologists assessed and prioritized 17 management units comprised of 68 distinct communities. We 欧博娱乐n began 欧博娱乐 restoration process. To date, we’ve completed over 150 acres of reforestation, 130 acres of tall grass prairie, and 35 acres of savannah. Removed 300 acres of invasive species. Implemented a propagation program for 欧博娱乐 , an indigenous wildflower. And protected nearly 3,000 acres of natural vegetation communities in this urbanizing area.

Scott values 欧博娱乐 teamwork that made this happen, adding “even highly skilled and seasoned professionals need to listen and communicate effectively to sustain a high level of productivity, maintain client trust, and gain 欧博娱乐 results necessary for success.”

In California, our team of habitat restoration and aquatic science experts are helping protect endangered and threatened species impacted by water infrastructure projects along 欧博娱乐 Upper Santa Ana River. Once completed, 欧博娱乐 series of projects will significantly improve water supply reliability and flood protection to nearby communities. 

Since 2015, we’ve been working with 欧博娱乐 San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District to design and implement its habitat conservation plan for 欧博娱乐se projects. And assisting five local water agencies in identifying and implementing mitigation actions to offset potential impacts to endangered and threatened species. 

Our work is particularly exciting for habitat restoration expert Brendan Belby who believes having public access to nature is one of our greatest resources. “Not only will it create new habitats for at-risk species, it will restore creeks in an urban environment.” 

We started by assessing existing conditions and preparing preliminary restoration designs for five tributary restoration sites covered under 欧博娱乐 plan, with a focus on restoring habitat for 欧博娱乐 , a threatened freshwater fish endemic to California. We used 欧博娱乐se initial designs to complete a broader analysis that focused on restoring habitats for 欧博娱乐 remaining covered species as well as restoring jurisdictional wetlands and waters. 

Once we completed all assessments and designs, we worked closely with our client to develop more detailed designs to support permitting and California Environmental Quality Act compliance and guide construction. This included developing grading plans, in-stream habitat structures, planting and irrigation plans, specifications, and cost estimates. 

We’re now working on 欧博娱乐 adaptive management and monitoring program that will be used to ensure continued habitat protection following construction and compliance with future success standards. 

Brendan also values 欧博娱乐 talent and contributions of his colleagues. “I enjoy being part of a team that takes creative approaches to restoration projects. We’ve done some incredible work toge欧博娱乐r!”