On Sunday May 6, 2018 the Napa County Resource Conservation District (RCD) will host an open house at the Napa River Rotary Screw Trap. For nearly a decade, the RCD has been using the rotary screw trap, a fish collection device, to monitor fish populations in the Napa River Watershed, with particular focus on steelhead … Continue Reading »
Panel Recap: BPC Shoreline Restoration and Resiliency Workshop
Through WRA’s involvement in the Bay Planning Coalition’s Sustainable Waterfronts Committee, WRA had the opportunity to participate in the Shoreline Restoration and Resiliency Workshop on April 17, 2018 hosted at the Port of San Francisco Commissioner’s Room in the Ferry Building. The perfect backdrop to such a workshop, San Francisco Bay is the center of much discussion … Continue Reading »
CNPS-SCV Wildflower Show April 28, 2018
The California Native Plant Society Santa Clara Valley (SCV) Chapter is hosting its 44th Annual Wildflower Show on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at West Valley College. Th is free event will feature hundreds of species of wildflowers and native plants, lectures, tours, demonstrations, and children’s activites. WRA’s Elan Alford, CNPS-SVC San Mateo Rare Plants Chair, will present Digging … Continue Reading »
WLA/WRA Conservation Finance Series: Part Two Mitigation Banking Now Available
The Western Landowners Alliance and WRA have partnered up on a blog series focused on how landowners can leverage the opportunities offered by conservation finance to further both conservation and economic goals. Each blog will provide an understanding of key concepts, market players and trends, and financial, risk and land management considerations particular to a topic. … Continue Reading »
Reptiles and Amphibians Workshop: Anstine-Audubon Nature Preserve
Join Anna Prowant, WRA biologist and Anstine-Audubon Nature Preserve Education Docent, on Saturday, April 21, 2018 11am-12pm for a Reptiles and Amphibians talk! Anna will discuss reptiles and amphibians of southern California. More information about the event is on the Preserve’s Facebook page. Details about the Preserve is available on their website.
Enviro-Business Career Fair April 23, 2018
WRA is excited to participate in the Enviro-Business Career Fair at San Diego State University April 23, 2018 from 1:30-4:30pm. Hosted by the Enviro-Business Society (e3), the event will take place in the Montezuma Hall, located within the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union. WRA’s Amanda McCarthy and Anna Prowant will be at Table 25 to talk … Continue Reading »
Living With Water: Walk the Shoreline April 22, 2018
Hosted by the Studio for Urban Projects/Bionic Team for the Bay Area Resilient By Design Challenge, join WRA for this free Earth Day event Sunday April 22 11am-2pm! WRA’s Amanda McCarthy will among the speakers for this 2.5-mile shoreline walking tour. Starting at Pickleweed Park in San Rafael, participants will examine habitat restoration and sea level … Continue Reading »
Register for LandPaths/WRA Serpentine Ecology Workshop
WRA is excited to continue our partnership with LandPaths to lead a serpentine ecology workshop at the Bohemia Ecological Preserve in Sonoma County on April 27, 2018. Join WRA Botanist Aaron Arthur and Serpentine Ecologist Tanner Harris for an informative program including a 2-mile tour of the remote property while learning about the unique plants found … Continue Reading »
in·sight newsletter [Winter 2018]
Spring Environmental Checklist
RARE PLANT SURVEY Conducting a full season of rare plant surveys before designing your project can help you avoid last-minute redesigns and costly project delays. The first step is conducting a habitat assessment to determine whether rare plants have potential to occur on your site and whether surveys are needed. Because different rare plants bloom … Continue Reading »
New USGS Research Article: Coastal Wetlands Response to Sea Level Rise
WRA’s Jordan Rosencranz, former researcher with the U.S. Geological Survey, is co-author of a USGS-led study on coastal wetlands and sea-level rise. The article, “U.S. Pacific coastal wetland resilience and vulnerability to sea-level rise” was published in the Science Advances journal on February 21, 2018. Read the full article here. Additional Resources USGS: New USGS-Led Study Could Help … Continue Reading »
Expanding Opportunities for Environmental DNA Sampling
by Daniel Chase and Patricia Valcarcel The molecule that contains the genetic instructions for life, and is found in every species on the planet, is now opening new doors and providing a powerful tool for biologists and natural resource managers. Deoxyribonucleic acid, more commonly known as DNA, is fundamental to life. For decades, scientists have … Continue Reading »
Registration Open for Wetland Delineation Training 2018
Endangered Coho Salmon Return to Redwood Creek
WRA Fisheries Expert to Present at the American Fisheries Society Cal-Neva Annual Meeting
The Cal-Neva Chapter of the American Fisheries Society 52nd Annual Meeting will be held February 28-March 2 in San Luis Obispo. The theme of the meeting is “Outside the Bubble”. The conference, which brings together academics, scientists, regulators, and others dedicated to the fisheries community, will focus on the critical need to engage with those … Continue Reading »
WRA Featured in Landscape Architecture Magazine
Colorado Ecosystem Services Partnership Event Explores Carbon Sequestration
WRA will host the Colorado Ecosystem Services Partnership (CESP) event on December 4, 2017 at the Colorado State Land Board. The program will explore carbon sequestration in the state. Carbon crediting plays a vital role in mitigating global climate change and can also provide valuable revenue streams for private and public landowners. Tim Plass, will provide … Continue Reading »
WRA Eelgrass Expert to Present at CERF Conference
The Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation will hold its biennial conference November 5-9, 2017 in Providence, Rhode Island. CERF publishes a leading journal titled “Estuaries and Coasts” providing a platform for which scientists can share their work. Scientists gather at the event to share research in progress and findings. WRA eelgrass expert, Gwen Santos, will … Continue Reading »
Environmental Law Conference Panel Features WRA ESA Expert
WRA’s Endangered Species Act (ESA) expert Ken Sanchez will join a panel at the 2017 Environmental Law Conference at Yosemite®. Session 27: Receding and Advancing Jurisdictional Boundaries and the Interplay Between Federal and State Wetlands and Species Regulations will take place Sunday, October 22nd at 11 a.m. The panel will provide a comprehensive overview of … Continue Reading »
WRA Supports 12th Annual ‘Moonlight on the Marsh’ Gala
WRA is proud to support the Friends of Ballona Wetlands as a sponsor of this year’s Moonlight on the Marsh gala. The event will be held Saturday, October 7, 2017 at the CenterPointe Club in Playa Vista. The non-profit’s mission is to champion the restoration and protection of the Ballona Wetlands, one of the last … Continue Reading »
Natural Areas Conference to Feature WRA’s Conservation Finance Expertise
The 44th annual Natural Areas Conference will be held in Fort Collins, Colorado October 10-12, 2017. This year’s conference focuses on collaboration as a key to natural areas management. WRA’s Denver-based conservation finance team, focused on innovative investment strategies for conservation projects in the U.S. and abroad, is honored to be part of this year’s … Continue Reading »
WRA to Present Posters at the State of the Estuary Conference
WRA’s experts have been invited to present posters at the 13th Biennial State of the San Francisco Estuary Conference being held October 10-11, 2017 in Oakland. The posters will be on display throughout the conference and a special poster session reception is scheduled for Tuesday, October 10 at 5:00 pm. Posters The poster abstract program is … Continue Reading »
WRA Sponsors Rivers & Lands Conservancy ‘Pride of Place’ Gala
WRA, Inc. is a proud sponsor of the fourth annual Rivers & Lands Conservancy fundraiser. The Pride of Place in the Great Outdoors gala event will be held on Thursday, October 12, 2017 at the Crestmore Manor in Riverside, California. The Conservancy is a private nonprofit focused on conserving open … Continue Reading »
WRA Supports BionicTeam in Resilient by Design Bay Area Challenge
WRA, Inc. is honored to be part of the BionicTeam, a consortium of experts led by San Francisco-based landscape architecture and urban design firm Bionic, selected as one of the top 10 teams in the Resilient by Design Bay Area Challenge. The Challenge will form partnerships between the public and private sectors to develop community-based solutions … Continue Reading »
WRA to Co-Present at the 2017 Land Use Law Conference
WRA, Inc. is honored to be part of the 2017 Land Use Law conference, hosted by CLE International. On September 18-19 in San Francisco, developers, planners, regulators, and attorneys will gather to discuss critical topics facing California land use law and policy. WRA President Geoff Smick will co-present a session on Monday, September 18th from 1:45-2:45 pm … Continue Reading »
Ecosystem Renewal, The Earth Partners, WRA, CIM successfully partner on Texas mitigation banks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 27, 2017 Harris County, Texas: Over the past year, Ecosystem Renewal (ER) and The Earth Partners (TEP) have successfully partnered to develop large-scale wetland mitigation solutions for the rapidly growing greater Houston area. They permitted and constructed one of the largest wetland banks in Texas slated to provide over 5,000 freshwater and … Continue Reading »
WRA Team Bike Challenge 2017
WRA is a Certified Small Business in Alameda County
WRA, Inc. is now certified as a Small Business with Alameda County’s Small, Local, Emerging Business (SLEB) Program! Services and Experience Our East Bay office team, located in Emeryville, offers a full suite of environmental consulting expertise including plant, wildlife, and wetland ecology; environmental planning; regulatory compliance and permitting; mitigation solutions; landscape architecture; and GIS. We are … Continue Reading »
Endangered Species Habitat Expanded in Marin
The Creekside Marsh near Hal Brown Park is home to the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse, California Ridgway’s rail, and many other tidal marsh species. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers filled this marsh and many other tidal wetlands in the watershed with dredge spoils in the late 1960’s when the earthen channel for the … Continue Reading »
WRA Initiates the Development of a Carbon Co-op with Sempervirens Fund
WRA, Inc. is kicking off the development of a first of its kind forest carbon crediting program in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. The program is being developed in partnership with Sempervirens Fund, California’s oldest land trust, and is funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. The program, formerly referred to as the … Continue Reading »
WRA Guest Column Featured in North Bay Biz Wine Issue
The March 2017 North Bay Biz magazine features WRA’s guest column on the increasing use of drones in the agricultural industry, especially for vineyards. WRA has supported the North Bay wine industry for several decades, from vineyard site selection, development, permitting, and maintenance. Recent advances in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology, ‑aka drones‑now allows for substantial … Continue Reading »
WRA Hosts Colorado Ecosystem Services Partnership Event on Strategic Land Conservation in the West
WRA hosted a Colorado Ecosystem Services Partnership (CESP) event on February 23, 2017 at the Colorado State Land Board. More than 20 attendees braved a winter storm and came from as far as San Diego, California to attend three presentations focused on “Strategic Land Conservation in the West.” Program and Presenters Erik Glenn, Executive Director … Continue Reading »
2017 National Mitigation & Ecosystem Banking Conference
WRA is a proud sponsor of the 2017 National Mitigation and Ecosystem Banking Conference (NMEBC). Entering its 20th year, NMEBC is committed to advancing and protecting the environment in a financially sustainable way. This year’s event will take place May 9-12, 2017 in Sacramento. The program includes interactive sessions, panels, moderated forums and training opportunities. A … Continue Reading »
WRA Co-Sponsors Bank Tank® at NMEBC 2017
A platform to connect with investors at NMEBC 2017 In its second year at the National Mitigation and Ecosystem Banking Conference, Bank Tank® is a program that connects investors with environmentally sustainable projects and land opportunities. Whether you are seeking funding, own land with natural asset potential, or are looking to invest in sustainable opportunities, don’t miss … Continue Reading »
WRA to Moderate Land Conservation Mitigation Summit
WRA’s experts are attending the 2017 Land Conservation Conference, hosted by the California Council of Land Trusts. One the third day of the conference, WRA’s Ken Sanchez will moderate the Mitigation Summit scheduled for Thursday, March 9th. Panelists from regulatory, government, non-profits, and consultant sectors will cover a variety of topics including: Regional conservation investment … Continue Reading »
Registration Open for Wetland Delineation Training 2017
WRA’s wetland delineation experts Amanda McCarthy, Tanner Harris, and Aaron Arthur will co-lead a 5-day basic wetland delineation training at the Romberg Tiburon Center (RTC) for Environmental Studies March 20-24, 2017. This training, provided in joint collaboration with the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) and RTC, will focus on procedures used to … Continue Reading »
Corps Issues Nationwide Permits for 2017
One of the most used authorizations for work in “waters of the United States” is the Nationwide Permit (NWP) under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Regulatory Program. Over 60,000 NWPs are authorized each year by the Corps with more than 700 in California alone. These authorizations cover a wide variety of activities associated … Continue Reading »
