Every year on Veterans Day, we pause to honor the men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform. They come from every background and every corner of the country, united by a common purpose: to serve something greater than themselves. Their service enriches our organization, and we are grateful for the impact they continue to make each day.

We encourage you to pause and thank the veterans of EnviroScience who dedicated themselves to serving our country.

• Tom Prewitt
• Alex Traxler
• John Crandall
• Patrick Geraghty
• Joseph Shannon
• Lewis Wolff
• Dave Vincent

Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results.

Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment,” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today as our scientists explore the latest environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to aquatic surveys (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring); emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; sustainability services; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.

In today’s construction and utility infrastructure boom, stormwater environmental inspections are more important than ever. They conserve our natural resources, ensure regulatory compliance with permits and local ordinances, and support project teams successfully from start to finish. As environmental regulations become more complex and enforcement grows stricter, proactive inspection programs become a part of any team’s choice to do it right the first time.

Environmental inspections serve as a critical safeguard against compliance violations, environmental damage, and costly project delays. These assessments verify that construction activities comply with federal, state, and local environmental permits, with a strong focus on stormwater management during construction where the inspection team completes weekly, rain, monthly and even daily site visits.

Our comprehensive inspection program extends through every project phase — from pre-construction kick-off meetings, to tree clearing and site grading, active construction, restoration, vegetative growth monitoring, and post construction stormwater facility inspection and maintenance. This continuous oversight helps ensure that environmental protections remain effective as conditions evolve and time passes on.

EnviroScience’s Inspection Expertise

EnviroScience offers more than two decades of specialized experience in environmental inspection services. The environmental inspection team includes many full-time inspectors in Ohio and EnviroScience’s satellite offices. Many also hold state-specific certifications for stormwater inspection during construction like the Certified Erosion, Sediment and StormWater Inspector™ (CESSWI™) credentials from EnviroCert International and the Federal EPA NPDES Construction Inspection Training Course. These trainings help promote professional development and growth for the team while understanding changes in regulations and industry standards.

EnviroScience’s team approach creates an environment of peer engagement and support and allows everyone to communicate clear, concise, and consistent messages to site personnel and contractors. This clear and consistent communication allows the environmental inspection team to form positive relationships with field personnel and helps avoid project delays due to miscommunication. The environmental inspection team takes great pride in being viewed as a resource to clients’ teams and their contractors working on a job site.

Three areas of focus within environmental inspection:

• Stormwater Inspections. Inspectors evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of erosion and sediment control measures, ensuring that soil disturbance activities don’t result in sediment runoff that could impair water quality or violate permit conditions. This includes regular monitoring of silt fences, mulch-filled socks, sediment basins, stabilized construction entrances, and other best management practices (BMPs) on construction projects that prevent sediment from leaving the site. Inspections are completed weekly and post rain-event as required by Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) and EPA NPDES permits. EnviroScience’s team identifies potential compliance issues before they escalate. Inspectors bridge the gap between designers, planners, managers, and field crews by translating complex regulatory requirements into actionable field protocols that construction personnel can understand and implement effectively.
• Post-Construction BMP Assessments & Maintenance. After construction activities conclude, the inspection work continues. Post-construction assessments verify that permanent stormwater management systems function as designed, that restoration efforts successfully re-establish vegetative cover, and that the site meets all permit closure requirements. This continued inspection ensures long-term compliance and environmental protection from things like continuous erosion and offsite sedimentation, flooding, offsite pollutant discharge, while improving water quality. EnviroScience also provides owners of post construction stormwater facilities (i.e., retention/detention ponds, bio-swales, etc.)with the ability to have an annual inspection completed by a qualified inspector while also using that inspector to oversee or complete any needed maintenance items at the facility.
• Construction Demolition Debris Inventories & Sampling. Following the NPDES permit and BMPs for site good housekeeping, EnviroScience inspectors evaluate waste generated at construction sites. Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER)-trained employees assist the onsite crews at the project to properly characterize their waste streams for disposal or recycling through sampling and labeling of materials and storage onsite. EnviroScience assists good housekeeping practices with the construction team through inventory of waste and proper use and shipping of disposal containers.   

The Value of Proactive Inspection

The true value of professional environmental inspections lies in their preventive nature. By identifying potential compliance issues early, inspectors can help project teams implement corrective actions before violations occur — avoiding the substantial costs associated with regulatory enforcement actions, project stop-work orders, and remediation requirements.

EnviroScience’s inspectors don’t simply document compliance, they actively support project teams in finding solutions. When potential issues arise, inspectors work collaboratively with design, planning, and management teams to develop protocols and corrective measures that keep projects moving forward while maintaining environmental protections.

The most effective environmental inspection programs recognize that compliance isn’t achieved through enforcement alone. EnviroScience’s inspectors serve as environmental advocates and educators, providing training for project personnel and ensuring that everyone on site understands their environmental responsibilities.

In an era where environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance are inseparable from project success, environmental inspections represent not just a regulatory requirement but a strategic investment in risk management and operational excellence.

Partner with proven experts in environmental inspection. Ensure your next project stays compliant, efficient, and environmentally responsible. Contact EnviroScience today to learn how our inspection team can help you protect your site — and our shared water resources.

Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results.

Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment,” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today as our scientists explore the latest environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to aquatic surveys (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring); emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; sustainability services; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.

Did you know EnviroScience has been providing extensive services in Pennsylvania since 1997 and has an established team based there? We are pleased to announce we’re opening a brick-and-mortar office in State College on North Atherton Street to better serve our clients and support our growing Pennsylvania Operations team. Stay tuned for updates on our official grand opening.  

In the meantime, meet our team.

• Dr. Christina Voorhees, Director of Natural Resources
• Rex Everett, Herpetologist and Project Manager
• Stan Boder, Senior Herpetologist and Project Manager
• Luke Fultz, Ecologist and Bat Project Manager
• Stacy Foster, Herpetologist
• Bob Anderson, Senior Malacologist

For questions about our Pennsylvania capabilities, please reach out to Dr. Christina Voorhees at CVoorhees@EnviroScienceInc.com or contact EnviroScience directly.

Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results.

Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment,” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today as our scientists explore the latest environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to aquatic surveys (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring); emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; sustainability services; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.

Have You Heard?

The Fall 2025 Edition of EnviroScience’s Quarterly Update is now available. This quarter’s newsletter features the following:

• Restoring Rush Run
• Turning Vegetation Waste into Opportunity
• Managing Invasive Vegetation with Science
• HAB Testing Services: Protecting Public Health & Water Quality
• 2025 Fall River Cleanup
• Congratulations to Our Employees of the Month
• Explore Nationwide EnviroScience Openings through Our New Careers Portal

CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT’S NEW THIS QUARTER!

Like What You See?

EnviroScience is pleased to share its quarterly newsletter with respected colleagues to provide the latest company news, industry updates, and important regulatory changes. If you like what you see, subscribe to our mailing list! 

Only your name and email address are required, we never share your information with anyone, and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.

Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results.

Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment,” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today as our scientists explore the latest environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to aquatic surveys (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring); emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; sustainability services; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.

By Peter Quent, Restoration Construction Project Manager, EnviroScience

Rush Run is an unassuming stream that meanders through agricultural fields, rolling hills, and patches of forest in Holmes County, Ohio. For years, it flowed quietly, but near its confluence with Killbuck Creek, it was creating problems. During high-water events, Rush Run was transporting large amounts of sand and gravel downstream, which began to impact county infrastructure.

Recognizing the issue, the Holmes County Soil and Water Conservation District took the lead in exploring solutions. An environmental representative from the county reached out to EnviroScience to see if there was a way to slow sediment movement and protect local assets. Together, we developed an action plan, engaged community partners, and secured funding through the H2Ohio Wetland Grant Program.

Building the Plan

Our design targeted the heart of the sediment transport issue. The plan included:

• Re-shaping and stabilizing stream banks to resist erosion.
• Reinforcing the streambed with appropriate substrate to keep sediment in place.
• Reconnecting the stream to its floodplain to reduce erosive forces during storms.
• Creating new wetlands to slow and store water while improving habitat.
• Adding livestock exclusion fencing to allow vegetation to reestablish naturally along the stream.

In late 2021, our construction team broke ground. Over several months, we restored 1,547 linear feet of stream to a more naturalized channel and created 3.1 acres of wetlands. The project combined strategic earthwork, targeted hardening of key reaches, and extensive re-vegetation to stabilize soil and improve ecological health.

Results on the Ground

Today, the improvements are clear and measurable:

• Sediment stabilized: Tons of mobile material now remain in place, protecting downstream infrastructure.
• Thriving aquatic life: We’ve seen significant increases in fish density, diversity, and aquatic invertebrate populations.
• Healthier habitat: Terrestrial invasive species were removed, and native trees, shrubs, and grasses have flourished.
• Resilient design: The restored stream and wetlands have held strong during major high-water events.

Three years after completion, we hosted a project tour for key stakeholders, including representatives from the Holmes County Engineer’s Office, Ohio EPA, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and the Holmes County Soil and Water Conservation District. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Some even commented how well the restoration performed — even during flood conditions — and how the “soft” living approach outperformed traditional hard-armoring methods like rock and steel.

A Win for the Stream — and the Community

This project demonstrates that nature-based solutions can protect infrastructure, improve habitat, and satisfy regulators and engineers alike. By blending sound science with practical construction, EnviroScience helped Holmes County achieve long-term stability and ecological renewal, all while earning the confidence of key state and local decision-makers.

Rush Run is now a healthier, more stable stream, and a great example of how smart design and community collaboration can produce long-term benefits.

Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results.

Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment,” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today as our scientists explore the latest environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to aquatic surveys (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring); emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; sustainability services; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.

It’s time for our 2025 Fall River Cleanup!

For over 20 years, our Corporate Responsibility Committee (CRC) has hosted a biannual river cleanup event to help fish out debris from the Little Cuyahoga River in Akron, Ohio. This spring’s event is slated to take place on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, and we’re looking for volunteers of all ages to help us in this effort.

This is an employee-led tradition that EnviroScience has spearheaded since 2002—bringing EnviroScience employees, family members, loved ones, and community members together to remove trash from the Little Cuyahoga River and the Ohio & Erie Canal while raising awareness of the litter problem in our local streams.

This has always been a fun event; all ages are welcome, and we need all the help we can get!

Here’s what you need to know

Who: Anyone willing to help! We’ve had volunteers of all ages at this biannual event.

When: Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Where: Mustill Store, 57 West North Street, Akron, Ohio 44304 (Check-in at the tables)

What to Wear: Old clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting wet/dirty, and waders or rubber boots if you have them. (We may have extra waders and rubber boots for those who don’t have them.)

Registration: No formal registration is necessary; however, adults will be required to sign a waiver on-site. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult who is authorized to sign the waiver on their behalf.

Questions: Any questions should be directed to Michael Liptak.

EnviroScience will provide gloves, snacks, and drinks.

Join in on the fun as we help clean up our local river!

We hope to see you there on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.

Who knows what we’ll find this year? 

Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results.

Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment,” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today as our scientists explore the latest environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to aquatic surveys (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring); emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; sustainability services; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.

By Aana Agrawal, Sustainability and Resilience Manager, EnviroScience

The utility vegetation management (UVM) sector plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth transmission of power across regions and cities by keeping plant growth under control within the vicinity of transmission and distribution lines. However, unrefined vegetation maintenance practices often focus on trimming, cleaning, and disposal processes that generate an unnecessary amount of organic waste, aid in releasing greenhouse gases, and fail to maximize community and ecological value. With sustainability being a focus for utility companies, vegetation waste is now viewed as more than just a byproduct of discarding, but more as a valuable resource.

Understanding the Circular Economy

Circular economy is a systems-based approach that focuses on reducing waste, improving resource efficiency, and making more sustainable alternatives to the dominant linear model of “take, make, dispose.” In reference to vegetation management, one would ask: How can tree trimmings, brush, and biomass be given a new life or be transformed into inputs for new value streams rather than being sent to landfills or left to decay? To understand this better, let’s first understand the different types of vegetation waste in UVM:

• Tree branches and limbs from pruning
• Whole trees uprooted for hazard mitigation
• Vines and undergrowth roots cleared from rights-of-way
• Leaves and other organic debris

This biomass, often viewed as waste and a byproduct of necessary operations, has immense potential when processed and redirected appropriately.

Path to Circularity: Waste to Value

1. Mulching and Composting. One of the simplest and most valuable uses for tree residue is to convert it into mulch or compost. Wood chips can be repurposed in community gardens, public parks, and landscape designs, aiding soil enrichment and weed suppression. Composting organic residue not only conserves methane emissions that would be produced if discarded in landfills but also returns nutrients to the ground. One of the largest power and gas distributors in the United States has a long history of vegetation management, where they repurpose wood waste as mulch. In collaboration with local communities, the California utility delivers wood chips from trimmings directly to residents, farmers, and city landscaping at no cost. For instance, in Sonoma County, wood chips have been distributed to vineyards across the state for erosion control and soil enhancement. The initiative has diverted thousands of tons of organic material from landfills annually, supporting both environmental and community resilience goals.
2. Biochar Production. Biochar is a form of charcoal produced by pyrolyzing biomass in the absence of oxygen. When used in soil, biochar enhances soil fertility, sequesters carbon, and improves water retention. Utility companies can collaborate with biochar producers to divert biomass for this purpose. For instance, in Northern California, the same utility also partnered with Sonoma Biochar Initiative and local agencies to convert hazardous vegetation from utility line clearings into biochar. This effort aimed to reduce wildfire risks by responsibly removing excess biomass while producing biochar for use on local vineyards, farms, and rangelands.
3. Biomass Energy Generation. Vegetation waste can also be used as a feedstock for biomass power plants, producing renewable energy from what would otherwise be discarded. This is particularly valuable in rural or forested regions where vegetation waste is abundant, and grid infrastructure may benefit from decentralized power generation.
4. Habitat Creation and Erosion Control. Logs, brush, and wood debris can be used to create wildlife habitats, restore wetlands, and reduce erosion on slopes and near waterways. This not only diverts material from waste streams and landfills but also supports local biodiversity. For instance, in the Pacific Northwest, utility ROWs are being managed to support pollinator habitats by reintroducing native shrubs, plants, trees, and using cleared wood to form brush poles for small mammals and birds.
5. Artisanal and Community Use. Community organizations and local artisans collect wood from utility tree removals to make furniture, sculptures, or building materials. This adds cultural and economic value to otherwise discarded resources. Utility companies can maintain a record or build a database of available materials and connect with local communities and organizations to get involved with reuse programs.

Implementing Circular Strategies: Key Considerations

Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement: Establishing circular pathways requires collaboration with local governments, nonprofits, recyclers, and entrepreneurs. Stakeholder mapping and partnership frameworks are essential to create mutually beneficial value chains.

Logistics and Infrastructure: Collection, processing, and distribution systems must be in place to transport vegetation waste to its next use. This may include mobile chippers, local drop-off sites, or contracts with third-party processors.

Policy and Incentives: Regulatory support and incentives can encourage utilities to divert vegetation waste from landfills. Green procurement policies and carbon credit programs can also make circular practices financially viable.

Training and Awareness: Field crews and vegetation planners need to understand the goals and practices of circular UVM. Training modules, toolkits, and incentives can support behavior change at the ground level.

Tracking and Reporting: Quantifying diverted biomass, carbon saved, and community benefit is vital for accountability and continuous improvement. Digital tools and GIS mapping can help track waste flows and identify optimization opportunities.

Benefits of Circular Vegetation Management

• Environmental: Diverts and reduces waste going to the landfills, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, enhances biodiversity, and promotes soil health.
• Social: Supports community gardening, brings awareness, and enhances education and engagement.
• Economic: Lowers disposal costs, opens revenue streams, and enhances brand value through sustainable leadership.

Looking Ahead

With the advent of climate change and the increasing rise of sustainability expectations from all industries, utility companies and arborist teams must embrace creativity and innovation. Circular economy-focused strategies in vegetation management offer a way to balance operational efficiency with environmental stewardship. From electric saws to biomass mapping to community codesign, there are necessary tools, frameworks, and standards available for organizations to use. It is now up to organizations to frame vision and goals, develop leadership, and commit to seeing vegetation waste not as an endpoint, but as the beginning of something creative and valuable.

EnviroScience, part of the ACRT Services family of companies, works alongside utility companies and communities to design and implement circular vegetation management strategies that align operational needs with sustainability goals. By transforming UVM waste into opportunities, EnviroScience believes the utility industry can become a powerful agent of circularity, resilience, and regeneration.

Looking ahead, let us not waste the waste – instead, let’s chip away at old habits and build a greener future, one brand at a time.

This article was originally published in the 2025 September/October edition of the UAA Newsline.

Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results.

Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment,” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today as our scientists explore the latest environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to aquatic surveys (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring); emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; sustainability services; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.

Invasive Vegetation Management Services

Invasive plant species pose a significant threat to the ecological balance and functional health of natural areas. When left unmanaged, they can quickly dominate landscapes, outcompeting native vegetation, altering hydrology, and impairing habitat quality. At EnviroScience, we provide science-driven invasive vegetation management services designed to help clients maintain regulatory compliance, improve site conditions, and protect their long-term environmental investments.

From utility corridors and municipal properties to mitigation sites, preserves, reservations, and other sensitive habitats, our biologist-led teams are highly experienced in distinguishing native from invasive vegetation, a critical skill when developing safe, effective control plans.

This expertise is especially important when threatened or endangered species or their habitat are present. Our clients—government agencies, private landowners, and land trusts—trust EnviroScience to deliver nuanced management approaches that achieve control while safeguarding sensitive ecological resources.

Integrated Approaches for Lasting Results

Our services begin with detailed vegetation assessments and mapping of invasive species to ensure that every management strategy is grounded in accurate field data. Accurate plant identification allows us to target invasive species precisely, minimizing non-target impacts and protecting valuable native plants and sensitive species. We employ a range of mechanical and herbicide-based techniques based on best practices and current research. By integrating manual removal, foliar spray, basal bark, cut stump, and hack-and-squirt treatments, we maximize effectiveness while minimizing off-target impacts.

Our staff comprises certified pesticide applicators, trained ecologists, and experienced field biologists who collaborate to tailor management plans to each site. We rely on EPA-approved herbicides and selective application methods, ensuring safe and compliant treatments even in habitats where rare, threatened, or endangered species occur. When applicable, we incorporate native vegetation restoration and follow-up monitoring to track progress and document treatment efficacy.

Supporting Regulatory Compliance and Restoration Goals

Invasive vegetation management is often a required component of long-term ecological restoration and mitigation success. EnviroScience helps clients meet regulatory obligations tied to wetland permitting, stream mitigation, and post-construction monitoring. We’re frequently contracted to manage invasive species as part of:

• Clean Water Act Section 404 permit compliance
• Mitigation banking success criteria
• Habitat restoration grant deliverables
• Utility and transportation right-of-way maintenance

We maintain detailed records and provide photo documentation, GPS-referenced treatment areas, and summary reports to support your agency reporting or grant requirements. Our technical expertise in sensitive habitats sets us apart—we understand the stakes when listed species are involved, and we design management plans to protect these resources while achieving the necessary level of invasive vegetation control.

Field-Tested Expertise, Season After Season

Invasive plant growth and treatment windows vary seasonally. Our crews are trained to identify priority species during different phenological stages and deploy the appropriate treatment methods year-round. This field experience allows us to recognize species accurately even at different life stages, ensuring selective treatments that protect native biodiversity and T&E species habitat. This flexibility allows us to adapt to site conditions and apply proactive strategies that prevent recolonization and reduce long-term costs.

We also specialize in multi-year management plans for larger properties and organizations with ongoing stewardship responsibilities. Our work across the Midwest and Eastern U.S. has helped protect thousands of acres of wetland, forest, prairie, and riparian habitat.

Let’s Build a Better Landscape Together

Whether you’re restoring a stream, maintaining a conservation easement, or simply looking to improve native plant diversity on your property, we’re ready to help. With EnviroScience, you gain a partner who understands both the science of invasive vegetation management and the responsibility of working safely in habitats that support threatened and endangered species. Learn how our selective, science-based Invasive Vegetation Management Services can support your goals and create lasting results for your site.

Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results.

Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment,” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today as our scientists explore the latest environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to aquatic surveys (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring); emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; sustainability services; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.

As harmful algal blooms (HABs) continue to increase in frequency, intensity, and geographical spread across the United States, demand for advanced monitoring and laboratory analysis has never been greater. HABs are most commonly caused by cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) and can release toxins that are hazardous to human health, aquatic ecosystems, pets, and livestock.

At EnviroScience, we provide expert HAB Testing Services designed to help clients detect, evaluate, and respond quickly to the presence of toxic blooms in freshwater systems.

Understanding the Threat of HABs

Harmful algal blooms are fueled by rising water temperatures, excess nutrient runoff (especially nitrogen and phosphorus), and increased climate volatility. The result? Widespread, recurring blooms that threaten drinking water sources, close recreational lakes, and negatively impact local economies. HABs can appear suddenly and produce toxins such as microcystins, anatoxin-a, saxitoxins, and cylindrospermopsin—each capable of causing acute illness or death in both humans and animals.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emphasize the urgency of early detection and public communication regarding HAB events. As states and municipalities adopt stricter monitoring protocols, there is a growing demand for timely, accurate data from local agencies and utilities.

Our Proven HAB Testing Capabilities

EnviroScience supports clients with comprehensive HAB testing services backed by decades of applied expertise in environmental science. Our certified laboratory employs a multifaceted approach to cyanobacteria and cyanotoxin analysis:

ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay)
We utilize ELISA kits to detect and quantify common toxins, including microcystin-LR, saxitoxins, and anatoxin-a. This method is ideal for routine screening due to its high sensitivity, cost efficiency, and compatibility with regulatory standards.

qPCR (Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction)
Our DNA-based qPCR testing identifies the genetic potential for toxin production by detecting genes associated with microcystins/nodularin, cylindrospermopsin, and saxitoxins. This method is essential for early warning systems and predictive modeling.

Microscopy and Taxonomy
We provide detailed microscopic identification and enumeration of cyanobacteria, phytoplankton, and periphyton to genus or species level. This data helps clients evaluate bloom dynamics, toxicity risk, and ecological implications. We also offer permanent slide archiving and photomicroscopy for long-term documentation and preservation.

Chlorophyll-a and Phycocyanin Analysis
Using fluorometric and colorimetric methods, our lab quantifies algal biomass via pigment concentrations, providing an effective indirect measure of bloom intensity and composition.

Custom Monitoring and Field Services
Our field crews are available for on-site sampling, emergency response, and consultation. We help design and implement custom monitoring plans to meet specific regulatory or operational requirements, whether for a drinking water utility, private lake, or public park.

Why Choose EnviroScience?

Not all HAB testing providers offer the same level of scientific integrity, responsiveness, and service customization. Here’s why so many public and private entities across the country choose EnviroScience:

• Decades of expertise in algal bloom monitoring and cyanotoxin analysis
• Rapid turnaround times with strict quality assurance and control
• Trusted laboratory partner to local governments and utilities
• Ph.D.-level staff and in-house taxonomists for expert validation
• Actionable reporting designed for technical and non-technical audiences

While many labs provide only basic testing, we focus on integrated solutions that help clients interpret their results and plan next steps. Our work supports compliance with state drinking water advisories, swimming and recreational thresholds, and federal guidelines under the Clean Water Act.

Who We Serve

Our services benefit a wide array of clients who depend on water quality data for public safety, environmental stewardship, or operational planning:

• Drinking Water Utilities monitoring source water for cyanotoxins
• Watershed and Conservation Groups aiming to reduce nutrient inputs
• Recreational Managers needing clearance to open lakes or beaches
• State and Local Agencies developing HAB response frameworks
• Universities and Researchers studying bloom behavior or mitigation

We partner with each client to provide cost-effective and timely insights tailored to their needs.

Looking Ahead: The Future of HAB Management

As bloom seasons become longer and more unpredictable, reliance on advanced testing will continue to grow. Technology such as remote sensing, molecular diagnostics, and predictive modeling is helping environmental managers make more proactive decisions. EnviroScience stays at the forefront of these innovations, continuously adapting our methods to ensure compliance and client confidence.

By working with our experts, clients gain access not only to certified lab services but also to ongoing technical support and insights that can shape long-term mitigation strategies.

Take Action Before the Bloom

Whether you need emergency toxin screening or a long-term monitoring plan, EnviroScience is ready to help you protect your water resources. Our HAB Testing Services are designed to deliver reliable results and responsive support—backed by a team of expert scientists committed to your success and the protection of environmental and public health.

Learn more about our Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Testing Services, and let’s work together to stay ahead of the bloom.

Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results.

Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment,” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today as our scientists explore the latest environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to aquatic surveys (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring); emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; sustainability services; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.

Have You Heard?

The Summer 2025 Edition of EnviroScience’s Quarterly Update is now available. This quarter’s newsletter features the following articles:

• Unlock Environmental Clarity with GIS Expertise
• EnviroScience Rides Over 1,000 Miles for National Bike Month
• It’s Mussel Survey Season: Meet Liesel, Malacology Expert
• Build Resilience with Sustainability Consulting
• PFAS Compliance: Tailored Solutions for a Cleaner Future
• Whole Effluent Toxicity Testing and TIE/TRE Services for Compliance
• Proposed ESA Changes and What They Mean for Your Project
• Congratulations to Our Employees of the Month
• Explore Nationwide EnviroScience Openings through Our New Careers Portal
• Links to Social Media Posts This Quarter

CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT’S NEW THIS QUARTER!

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Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results.

Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment,” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today as our scientists explore the latest environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to aquatic surveys (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring); emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; sustainability services; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.