By Erik Schmidt, Regulatory Permitting Specialist WRA expects to soon submit its first project application to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for regulatory review through the innovative Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Act (HRE Act), an alternative approval process for small-scale habitat restoration activities. Many types of commonly proposed restoration work may be … Continue Reading »
Pema Lin, VP, People Operations Joins WRA
WRA, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of Pema Lin as Vice President, People Operations. Pema has more than 15 years of experience in recruiting and human resources (HR) across a variety of industries. “I am happy to have Pema join our team,” said Geoff Smick, WRA Chief Executive Officer. “Not only is she … Continue Reading »
Devil’s Slide Coastal Trail Jubata Grass Removal
By Ariella Simke, Freelance Science Writer WRA is contracted by the San Mateo County Parks Department to eradicate the highly invasive species Jubata grass (Cortaderia jubata) from the sheer cliffs along the coastal bluffs of the Devil’s Slide Trail in Pacifica, California. Jubata grass is a tall, feathery plant that has quickly spread since first … Continue Reading »
WRA Announces New Landscape Restoration Company
WRA, Inc. is proud to announce the addition of WRA Landscape Restoration Inc. (Contractors State License Board #1068767, C-27), its newest subsidiary company offering a suite of landscape restoration services to our clients and project partners. “The addition of a landscape restoration contracting company expands our capabilities to a full spectrum of restoration services to … Continue Reading »
Research article published on Merced River restoration co-authored by WRA senior geomorphologist
The international journal River Research and Applications recently published an article co-authored by WRA senior geomorphologist Virginia Mahacek. The article, titled “Opportunities and Challenges for Restoration of the Merced River through Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, USA”, is posted in a virtual edition of the journal. From the abstract: Successful river restoration requires understanding and … Continue Reading »
Steelhead Migration Restored in a Napa River Tributary with Removal of a Century-old Dam
A Look at the Upper York Creek Ecosystem and Aquatic Habitat Restoration Project By Erik Schmidt, Regulatory Permitting Specialist, WRA, Inc. Since 1997, the handful of steelhead hanging on in York Creek, part of a larger Central California Coast population group, have been federally listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. The National Marine … Continue Reading »
WRA Restoration Experts to Present at SERCAL 2020!
WRA is proud to sponsor the 2020 SERCAL conference, which will encompass eight webinar sessions on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in the month of September. This year’s conference theme is Shedding Light in Challenging Times. Two WRA experts are presenting topics, and senior biologist Kari Dupler is chairing the Hindsight is 2020 session. Managing Invasive … Continue Reading »
NMEBC 2020 Goes Virtual!
WRA is a proud sponsor of the 2020 National Mitigation and Ecosystem Banking Conference (NMEBC). NMEBC Virtual will be held on August 17-19, with pre and post extended content and engagement. Entering its 23rd year, NMEBC is committed to advancing and protecting the environment in a financially sustainable way. This annual event connects mitigation providers, … Continue Reading »
2019 WOTUS Rule Implemented Except in Colorado
By Myla Ablog, WRA, Inc., Aquatic Resources Permitting Specialist On June 22, 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) implemented the new Navigable Waters Protection Rule (2019 Rule) that defines “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) in all states except Colorado where a federal judge stayed the implementation. This is an … Continue Reading »
The Foothill Yellow-legged Frog: Status Update and Steps for Compliance
Updated June 11, 2020 (originally published September 13, 2018) By Brian Freiermuth, Wildlife Biologist Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Life History The foothill yellow-legged frog (FYLF), Rana boylii, is visually one of the more non-descript frogs in California, but it must gamble for survival. Although FYLF breed in relatively calm parts of streams, these areas are prone … Continue Reading »