News:
May 17, 2018
Wetlands & Ecology, Inc.'s Design Wins Excellence in Green Stormwater Infrastructure Award from SBN of Greater Philadelphia and GSI Partners
Photo from SBN; L to R, from Villanova University Dr. John Komlos, James Press, Wessam Mohammed, Dr. Andrea Welker, Wetlands & Ecology's Derron LaBrake, MRNenvironmental's M. Richard Nalbandian (www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6405560040689795072)
On May 17, 2018, at the Excellence in GSI Awards Ceremony, the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia and Green Stormwater Infrastructure Partners presented the "College Settlement Stormwater Treatment Wetland" with a 2018 Excellence in Green Stormwater Infrastructure award in the Private Projects Category. Wetlands & Ecology, Inc. designed and constructed the College Settlement STW in 2015/2016 for Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust with the assistance of MRNenvironmental, Inc. Berg Construction, LLC performed the soil work and installed the water control structures, and Enviroscapes, Inc. installed the plants and deer exclusion fencing. The project was made possible with a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant (Delaware River Restoration Fund) and contributions made by the Townships of Horsham and Upper Moreland, and a lot of in-kind services provided by both W&E and MRNe.
The project was designed by an American Ecological Engineering Society Certified Ecological Designer (Derron LaBrake) and it demonstrates many ecological design principals (e.g., considering what flora and fauna occupy the project area and then accommodating habitat for those species within the design). The STW is located on the lands of The College Settlement of Philadelphia Camp in Horsham, PA and was installed to manage the formerly uncontrolled stormwater runoff from about 50 acres of 1940s residential development. The STW has the secondary benefit of having become an important part of the Environmental Education Program at the Camp. Ms. Karyn Bonner (Camp Director and Environmental Educator) takes all of the campers to the STW to experience the flora and fauna that use this important stormwater attenuation structure and makes sure that all the children understand its purpose while they experience its unique beauty.
In 2015, Villanova University selected this project and two others to be intensively monitored as part of their stormwater research that is funded by the William Penn Foundation's Delaware River Watershed Initiative. Villanova graduate students Wessam Mohammed (Ph.D candidate) and James Press (M.S. candidate), pictured above, are currently monitoring and modeling how stormwater moves through the STW and how effective it is at removing pollutants from the stormwater runoff it captures. Their research and the data they produce is very important, as it will inform future GSI designs.
The project was designed by an American Ecological Engineering Society Certified Ecological Designer (Derron LaBrake) and it demonstrates many ecological design principals (e.g., considering what flora and fauna occupy the project area and then accommodating habitat for those species within the design). The STW is located on the lands of The College Settlement of Philadelphia Camp in Horsham, PA and was installed to manage the formerly uncontrolled stormwater runoff from about 50 acres of 1940s residential development. The STW has the secondary benefit of having become an important part of the Environmental Education Program at the Camp. Ms. Karyn Bonner (Camp Director and Environmental Educator) takes all of the campers to the STW to experience the flora and fauna that use this important stormwater attenuation structure and makes sure that all the children understand its purpose while they experience its unique beauty.
In 2015, Villanova University selected this project and two others to be intensively monitored as part of their stormwater research that is funded by the William Penn Foundation's Delaware River Watershed Initiative. Villanova graduate students Wessam Mohammed (Ph.D candidate) and James Press (M.S. candidate), pictured above, are currently monitoring and modeling how stormwater moves through the STW and how effective it is at removing pollutants from the stormwater runoff it captures. Their research and the data they produce is very important, as it will inform future GSI designs.
May 3, 2017
Principal of Wetlands & Ecology, Inc. to present on Ecological Risk Assessment at Ecological Evaluation Practitioners Forum
Principal of Wetlands & Ecology, Inc. to present on Ecological Risk Assessment at Ecological Evaluation Practitioners Forum
On May 3, 2017, Derron LaBrake, a Principal at Wetlands & Ecology, Inc. was one the speakers at half-day education program sponsored by Alpha Analytical. The program provided an opportunity to increase the attendees' understanding of the Ecological Risk Evaluation process in New Jersey under the State's Site Remediation Program. The program was an open discussion of Ecological Risk Assessment practices to help LSRPs who don't practice ecological risk assessment to gain a better understanding of NJ's Ecological Evaluation process delivered from the viewpoint of experienced practitioners.
February 11, 2016
Principal of Wetlands & Ecology, Inc. to present on Ecological Risk Assessment
Principal of Wetlands & Ecology, Inc. to present on Ecological Risk Assessment
On February 11, 2016, Derron LaBrake, a Principal at Wetlands & Ecology, Inc. was one the speakers at half-day education program sponsored by Alpha Analytical. The program provided an opportunity to increase the attendees' understanding of the Ecological Risk Evaluation process in New Jersey under the State's Site Remediation Program. The program was not for teaching the process, but rather to help LSRPs who don't practice ecological risk assessment to gain a better understanding of NJ's Ecological Evaluation process and some of its nuances, so they can effectively direct that work if it comes up on one of their projects. The program was delivered from the viewpoint of experienced practitioners.
For more information go to: http://www.alphalab.com/new-jersey-ecological-evaluation-program-february-11-2016
For more information go to: http://www.alphalab.com/new-jersey-ecological-evaluation-program-february-11-2016
December 3, 2015
Principal of Wetlands & Ecology, Inc. Certified as Ecological Designer by AEES
Principal of Wetlands & Ecology, Inc. Certified as Ecological Designer by AEES
On December 3, 2015, Derron LaBrake, a Principal at Wetlands & Ecology, Inc. was Certified by the American Ecological Engineering Society as an Ecological Designer. He is No. 0012, which makes him part of the first dozen to be certified by AEES.
September 29, 2015
Principal of Wetlands & Ecology, Inc. Re-Certified as Professional Wetland Scientist by SWSPCP
Principal of Wetlands & Ecology, Inc. Re-Certified as Professional Wetland Scientist by SWSPCP
On September 29, 2015, Derron LaBrake, a Principal at Wetlands & Ecology, Inc. was Re-Certified by the Society of Wetland Scientists Professional Certification Program as a Professional Wetland Scientist. Mr. LaBrake has been a Certified PWS since 1994.
Contact Information
Wetlands & Ecology, Inc.
124 E. Park Road
Suite 200
Havertown, Pennsylvania 19083
Ph: (610) 449-5410
Fax: (610) 449-5467
email: info@wetlandsandecology.com
124 E. Park Road
Suite 200
Havertown, Pennsylvania 19083
Ph: (610) 449-5410
Fax: (610) 449-5467
email: info@wetlandsandecology.com