We are excited to share our 17th annual Sustainability Report, showcasing the company’s ongoing efforts towards making a positive impact for its employees, clients, and communities around the world.
“Sustainability has always been at the core of SWCA, defining not just our actions, but who we are as a 100% employee-owned company. This report showcases how we are taking real actions to improve our workplace, give back to our communities, and apply sound science and creative solutions to tackle growing environmental challenges.” said Joseph J. Fluder, III, SWCA president and chief executive officer.
SWCA’s 2024 Sustainability Report showcases our company’s commitment and progression on this front, broken down by People, Planet, Partnerships, and Governance.
PEOPLE
- The yearly employee engagement survey is one of the ways SWCA gains insight into our employees’ experiences. In 2024, the overall employee satisfaction rate was 86%.
- SWCA offices organized 169 local Gives Back events throughout the year, totaling 4143 employee hours spent giving back to our communities.
- SWCA strengthened DE&I efforts by expanding Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), launching new initiatives and fostering a culture of inclusivity through training, education, and companywide engagement.
- Creating an Atmosphere for Women to Succeed, SWCA saw a 6% increase of women within senior leadership positions in 2024 (total of 46%) and 1% increase of women in leadership (total of 55%), surpassing industry benchmarks.
SWCA’s Portland Office 20th AnniversaryPLANET
- As reducing SWCA’s energy footprint remains a priority, for the 4th consecutive year, SWCA purchased enough renewable energy credits (RECs) to offset 100% of the electricity consumed across our offices.
- All SWCA offices with the ability to do so committed to recycling; offices recycled a total of 9,462 pounds of electronic equipment alone.
- In 2024, SWCA prepared Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) across forests, grasslands, deserts, mountains, wetlands, rivers, and urban areas to help our clients balance the needs of development and conservation.
Snow healthy river during a river restoration projectPARTNERSHIPS
- SWCA signed the CEO Water Mandate and Water Resiliency Pledge, reaffirming our commitment to water resilience.
- With the acquisition of Leading Restoration Firm, River Design Group, SWCA expanded the company’s presence in the Northwest and strengthened our water resources engineering expertise.
- SWCA continued to bring Tribal communities into the conversation on projects, with more than 250 active projects involving Tribal Relations tasks and eight large-scale clients voluntarily working with Tribes.
- With hands-on learning experiences, partnerships with clients and nonprofits, and outreach events, SWCA made science accessible to diverse communities through our Spreading the Science Program.
Community and wildfire planning meeting.GOVERNANCE
- SWCA achieved an 89% field training completion rate in 2024, surpassing our 80% goal and strengthening safety and preparedness across teams.
- SWCA maintained 100% compliance with the updated 2022 ISO 27001 certification requirements, ensuring our security controls remain aligned with global best practices.
SWCA crew member working with a representative from the Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians – Kizh Nation to identify historical and Native American artifacts during test excavations at La Brea Tar Pits.
The report also highlights a selection of SWCA’s conservation, restoration, and clean energy project work in action, including: