Biologist Tyson Kurtz Earns PWS Certification
Congratulations to EnviroScience Biologist Tyson Kurtz for achieving the designation of Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS certification) from The Society of Wetland Scientists!
The Society of Wetland Scientists is a professional organization formed to promote understanding, conservation, protection, restoration, science-based management, and sustainability of wetlands across the globe.
The Society developed the Professional Certification Program (PCP) in 1994 for certification of wetland science training and experience to meet the needs of professional ecologists, hydrologists, soil scientists, educators, agency professionals, consultants, and others who practice wetland science. This program serves the public’s need to reliably identify qualified individuals to assess and manage wetland resources around the world.
A Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) meets stringent education requirements (minimum B.A. or B.S. degree with significant coursework in biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and wetland ecology).
Following this comprehensive higher education in wetland science, a PWS must have professional experience of at least five years as a wetland scientist that demonstrates the application of current technical knowledge dealing with wetland resources and activities.
Finally, a PWS provides acknowledgment to scientific peers of their adherence to standards of professional ethics for the conduct and practice of wetland science. Certification enhances recognition of wetland science within other disciplines, especially in multi-disciplinary work environments.
At the current time, PWS is the only international certification program that is specific to wetland science.
Congratulations, Tyson, on this awesome achievement!
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; 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.
Who: Anyone willing to help! We’ve had volunteers of all ages at this biannual event.
The longsolid mussel can live up to 50 years and grow five inches long. It is currently found in ten states (AL, IN, KY, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, and WV.)
The round hickorynut mussel can live up to 15 years and grow three inches long. It is currently found in nine states (AL, IN, KY, MI, MS, OH, PA, TN, and WV.)
EnviroScience has permitted malacologists throughout the ranges for both species of freshwater mussels with extensive mussel-handling experience.
Snake surveys are often performed as part of a terrestrial survey or wildlife inventories at EnviroScience. These surveys effectively detect the presence or absence of endangered, threatened, or rare species at a proposed development project. With the decline of many snake species, more species are likely to soon be listed under the federal Endangered Species Act or state regulations. As this occurs, the importance of snake surveys will only increase.
Our experienced herpetologists have scientific collector’s permits or are on state or federal agency lists of qualified rare or listed snake surveyors. Our snake biologists are experts at detecting and tracking reptiles in their diversity of habitats. They use a variety of tools and methods to collect thorough and accurate data. For example, Visual Encounter Surveys (VES) are performed for snakes by searching favorable habitats during the spring and summer months. Specialized traps, such as “box traps” along drift fences and artificial habitats, like cover boards, are designed to document species that are difficult to find during visual surveys.
Standard snake survey protocols usually begin with a habitat assessment (Phase I Survey), when our qualified biologists perform a walkthrough and visual search for potential critical snake habitats to evaluate a proposed project area. Critical snake habitat is often considered to be either the potential over-wintering habitat or potential summer-gestating habitat. Also, early spring basking, foraging, and transient habitat may be part of the habitat assessment for certain species.
Should potential critical habitat be found during the habitat assessment—and if the critical habitat is difficult to avoid during construction of a project—the next phase of the snake evaluation could be what is called a presence/absence survey (Phase II Survey), which typically involves the search for snakes during their active season and appropriate weather conditions in the potential denning, basking, gestating, or foraging habitat. 
Another type of snake service (especially for venomous snakes) that EnviroScience provides is called “snake construction monitoring.” This service entails the presence of a permitted snake biologist on an active construction site during the active season of the snake species. For the safety of workers (when venomous snakes are present) and snakes, our biologists are on-site before and during construction to inspect and clear the project area (including staging areas and access roads) of snakes and to capture and remove any snakes that may interfere with work activities. 
It goes without saying that the frigid months of winter aren’t just a struggle for people—they’re tough for animals and plants too! Reduced sunlight, extreme conditions like freezing temperatures and snow, and limited food sources make survival difficult.
One simple way to help provide shelter for animals is to leave some areas of your yard a little “messy.” For example, refrain from clipping and removing all dead stems and leaves from your flower beds, and allow a pile of leaves, brush, or downed logs to remain in an out-of-the-way area of your yard. 
Many insects overwinter in leaf litter, so these simple practices provide both food sources and shelter for small animals. Leftover fall decorations such as a bale of straw provide overwintering habitats for insects, small mammals, and even salamanders! Evergreen plants also provide shelter for animals on cold winter days.
In areas near lakes and streams, animals are often able to remain sufficiently hydrated. In other areas, a shallow bowl of water outside can provide a much-needed resource for birds. Bird baths should be avoided during the winter, as they can lead to frozen feathers and hypothermia. Instead, place a nonmetallic grate or some dark rocks and twigs over and/or in a shallow water bowl to allow for drinking but not bathing. A safely heated bowl is another option.
On November 16, 2022, the employee-led 
Fifteen EnviroScience staff members tried to concoct the best chili, and employees paid $10 to taste each one and determine the winner. 
