On Sunday May 5, 2019 the Napa County Resource Conservation District (RCD) hosted an Open House event for approximately 50 interested members of the public 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 … Continue Reading »
WRA GIS Expert Elected to URISA’s GISCorps Core Committee
WRA’s Chris Zumwalt, GISP was recently elected to serve on the Core Committee of the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association’s (URISA) GISCorps. The Core Committee is a group of nine members that run the GISCorps through a purely volunteer effort outside of their daily domestic and work responsibilities. Chris has been a volunteer and … Continue Reading »
TWS-WS Environmental DNA Workshop
The Wildlife Society – Western Section is hosting a three-day workshop July 29-31, 2019 on the fundamentals and practical uses for environmental DNA (eDNA). The workshop will be co-led by Genidaqs Laboratory, leaders in the application and development of eDNA, and WRA wildlife and fisheries experts, Rob Schell and Dan Chase. Attendees will learn about … Continue Reading »
WRA Speaker Joins AEP Wetland Permitting Workshop
On April 23, 2019, The Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP) San Francisco Bay Area Chapter will host a workshop on permitting strategies for projects impacting wetlands. Featured speakers Scott Birkey, partner at Cox, Castle & Nicholson and Dr. Amanda McCarthy, principal at WRA, Inc. will explore recent legal and regulatory updates at federal and state … Continue Reading »
WRA Experts Presenting Restoration Topics at SERCAL 2019
WRA is a proud sponsor of the 2019 SERCAL Conference April 10-12, 2019 in Santa Barbara! This year’s theme is Beyond Recovery: Restoration for the Future, and the event is focused on collective restoration expertise and efforts that work toward resiliency and ecosystem recovery for current and future generations. Kari Dupler is chair for the … Continue Reading »
WRA’s San Diego Office Has Moved!
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 »
