The San Diego office of WRA, Inc. has relocated to a new space near Balboa Park. The move allows the team to be more centralized to clients near the city’s center while shortening the commute for nearly all team members. “We are really excited about our new location and ability to better serve our … Continue Reading »
Spring is here and so are the nesting birds: What does it mean for your project?
by Jason Yakich and Patricia Valcarcel, Wildlife Biologists; photo credits Patricia Valcarcel Changes to interpretations of long-standing protections to birds and their nests has caused confusion for project planning and compliance. We outline the difference between federal and state regulations, current interpretations of these regulations, and what it may mean for your project. On December … Continue Reading »
Michael Nieto Joins WRA as San Diego Office Director
WRA, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of Michael Nieto as San Diego Office Director. Mike brings more than 16 years of experience in environmental consulting and natural resources management throughout southern California. “I am really excited to have Mike join the WRA family,” said Geoff Smick, WRA Chief Executive Officer. “His technical and … Continue Reading »
WRA Wildlife Experts Present at 2019 TWS-WS Annual Meeting
Members of WRA’s wildlife team are headed to Fish Camp, California near the border of Yosemite National Park February 4-8, 2019 to attend The Wildlife Society – Western Section Annual Meeting. This year’s gathering will explore themes of “Death And Taxas: Extinction and Speciation During the Anthropocene.” Patricia Valcarcel will present on a range-wide habitat suitability model created for the flat-tailed horned lizard (Phrynosoma mcallii). Katie Smith, … Continue Reading »
The 2019 CEQA Guideline Update and What It Means for You
By Rachael Carnes, Environmental Planner While the environmental permitting world is abuzz with talk of the ever-shifting “Waters of the U.S.” definition, the State of California recently released revised CEQA Guidelines, and they could have important implications for your project. The Natural Resources Agency adopted final text, which was approved by the Office of Administrative … Continue Reading »
Pathogen Poses Threat to Habitat Restoration and Open Space Projects in California
By Isaac Swanson, Tanner Harris, and Kari Dupler Phytophthora is a water-borne fungus transmitted through contact with infected soil, water, or leaves. Some Phytophthora species are relatively innocuous, but others–like Phytophthora ramorum, the cause of Sudden Oak Death–can be deadly to woody shrubs and trees and even to some grass and marsh species native to … Continue Reading »
Registration Open for Wetland Delineation Training 2019
WRA’s wetland delineation experts Tanner Harris and Aaron Arthur will co-lead a 40-hour basic wetland delineation training at San Francisco State University’s Estuary and Ocean Science (EOS) Center in Tiburon, CA on March 25-29, 2019. This training, provided in joint collaboration with the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) and the EOS … Continue Reading »
Happy New Year!
WRA, Inc. Announces Geoff Smick as Chief Executive Officer
WRA, Inc. is excited to announce that its Board of Directors has appointed Geoff Smick as the new Chief Executive Officer. Geoff is a 14-year veteran with WRA and has exemplified strong leadership and commitment to company goals and operations having served as President since 2014. Geoff will continue to serve his clients in WRA’s … Continue Reading »
2018 ACES Conference Features WRA Conservation Finance Expertise
Members of WRA’s conservation strategies team including Matt Richmond and Jane Rice will attend the 2018 ACES: A Community on Ecosystem Services conference December 3-6, 2018 in Washington, D.C. This year’s event will convene an international community of professionals, researchers, and policy experts in an open forum to share experiences, methods, and tools for assessing … Continue Reading »
