Ecological Services

ERG’s Ecosystem Services Team, led by PG Environmental (a division of ERG), develops and evaluates strategies for ecosystem protection and restoration. Our dedicated group of expert ecologists, economists, and scientists assesses ecosystem health, devises indicators to measure ecosystem status and trends, estimates the costs and benefits of ecosystem restoration, evaluates socioeconomic tradeoffs between management approaches, and performs ecosystem services valuations. With a focus on aquatic and coastal ecosystems, our field services include surveys, sampling design, jurisdictional determinations, ecosystem condition assessment, data analysis, and managing laboratory support. Our interdisciplinary team applies efficient and effective approaches that provide clients with a solid scientific foundation to support sustainable ecosystem management strategies, policies, and practices.

Watershed Assessments and Aquatic Surveys

EPA National Rivers and Streams Assessment field sampling protocols and measurements
- Water chemistry
- Periphyton
- Benthic macroinvertebrates
- Stream discharge
- Physical habitat
- Fecal indicators (enterococci)
- Fish assemblage
- Fish tissue sampling and analysis
EPA National Wetlands Condition Assessment field sampling protocols and measurements
- Water chemistry
- Botanical surveys
- Soils analysis
- Hydrologic indicators
- Physical habitat

Freshwater Fisheries and Aquatic Biomonitoring Surveys

Fish weir design and salmon enumeration studies
Fish tracking (radio telemetry and PIT tagging)
MesoHABSIM aquatic habitat mapping
Baseline aquatic biomonitoring surveys

Field Sampling Design and Execution

Methods and SOP development
Sampling design
Logistical support
Pre-survey planning
Database development and management
ArcGIS mapping and analysis
Statistical analysis
Laboratory acquisition and oversight

Wetlands and Jurisdictional Waters

Wetland restoration/mitigation
Jurisdictional determinations
- Physical, chemical, biological indicators
- 100-year floodplain analysis
- Ordinary high water; bed and bank identification

Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys (Mammals, Fish)

USFWS and state permit applications
Sampling design
Monitoring and assessment
Statistical analysis
Reporting

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Projects

Photo of a person kneeling along a stream taking notes

Support for Protecting U.S. Water Resources under the Clean Water Act

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

still looking stream at the base of rock and green forest

Development of Streamflow Duration Assessment Methods

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Development of Field Data Collection Application for the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

A gloved hand holds a live spotted fish caught from a stream in the background

Measuring the Health of the Nation’s Surface Waters

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

photo of people padding on a river at the base of tree covered mountain

Support for Bureau of Land Management Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring

Bureau of Land Management

Aerial view of wetlands, with two people standing on a dock and trees in the background.

Understanding Coastal Wetland Loss

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Aerial view of hurricane damage to a pier and other buildings along the U.S. coast

Estimating the Value of Restoring Ecosystem Services Following Superstorm Sandy

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Aerial view of a Gulf Coast barrier island surrounded by blue-green ocean water

Support for the Gulf of Mexico Regional Ecosystem Restoration Strategy

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Service Area Leads

Starting early in my childhood, my parents took me on frequent adventures exploring our country’s outdoor places, instilling the value of our natural environment in me at a very young age. It was this experience that inspired me to dedicate my professional career to monitoring and protecting these resources.

Zak Erickson

Much of my childhood was spent outdoors observing, collecting, and understanding the natural world. This early passion led me to study biology, communications, and environmental engineering, and ultimately to integrate them into my career in aquatic ecosystems. I have had great opportunities to work with outstanding people and manage large-scale projects across the U.S. I am passionate about delivering high-quality work products that meet and exceed expectations.

Kortney Kirkeby

The most rewarding part of my work is being able to help our clients and communities from behind the scenes, reflect on their impact, and find ways to become more effective and accessible in improving community conditions for all.

Jennifer Lam

My love for wild places out west started at an early age. Thanks to my father’s passion for exploring old ghost towns and my mother’s love of discovering old gravestones, we frequently ventured to places less traveled, so it was no surprise when I chose a career as an ecologist working to protect the same natural resources in the same part of the U.S. I had grown to love as a child.

Mindi Lundberg

I cherish the connection with nature I feel from the strength of the ocean, the run of a river, the serenity of a lake, the intensity of estuaries, and the magic of vernal pools. It’s from this sense of appreciation that I apply my knowledge, experience, and passion to protect and restore the ecological integrity of water resources.

Arleen O'Donnell

Designing equitable solutions for sustainable environmental conservation and management efforts is a constantly challenging, rewarding endeavor. I love collaborating closely with our clients to develop strategies that promote environmental and climate resilience and justice—including evaluating environmental program effectiveness and identifying innovative best practices for coastal and ocean planning.

Diana Pietri

My passion for protecting the natural world stems from a childhood spent enjoying the outdoor expanses and natural beauty of Colorado. Now, I channel that passion into developing innovative approaches for collecting and analyzing large environmental datasets to help address many of the most pressing environmental challenges we face today. I am incredibly fortunate to collaborate with amazing colleagues and clients in pursuit of creative solutions for monitoring and protecting our environment.

Alex Swain