2025
Comparably’s Best Company Outlook
Service
Biological and Ecological Services
SWCA's diverse group of scientists and technical experts investigate species and their habitats to help manage the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems on which we all depend.
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Amanda Glen
Senior Natural Resources Technical Director
Overview
Our scientists and technical experts have training and real-word expertise gathering, analyzing, and applying data on terrestrial and aquatic species and their habitats to help plan, permit, and implement projects. We use traditional methods and cutting-edge technologies to generate technical information and insights for meeting project challenges. We are also prepared to develop and pilot new methods to address novel questions when the need arises.
Our permitting experts track regulatory and policy changes, maintain working relationships with regulators and academics, and are skilled at applying the best available information to federal, state, and local compliance frameworks for protected species and habitats. Our clients count on SWCA to analyze and distill the most important details into actionable strategies to keep projects moving forward.
Our staff can step into any phase of the project lifecycle and take on a variety of roles and responsibilities alongside our clients’ teams:
- Data Collection: We assemble previously published information, apply established field protocols or develop novel study plans, and conduct field investigations to gather needed data for project sites and impact areas.
- Information Analysis: We review and synthesize best available information for insights and identification of data gaps and create decision-making tools to help apply findings to project situations. We generate technical reports documenting findings of field investigations and provide descriptive statistics or, when appropriate, run statistical tests to look for significant conclusions.
- Preparation of Supporting Documents: We prepare technical reports, planning documents, scientific manuscripts, presentation materials, and regulatory compliance documents to support project development and advance sound science relating to project activities and affected biological resources.
- Implementation: We help coordinate with agency staff, stakeholder representatives, and the public to facilitate understanding of project proposals and approaches. We deploy staff to perform or monitor performance of project environmental commitments and coordinate the hands-on execution of restoration or management activities.
Aquatic Species and Ecology
SWCA’s aquatic biology and ecology experts focus on water as well as the fish, marine mammals and birds, aquatic insects, invertebrates, and plants that live within it.
Our aquatic biologists use both scientific and technical tools to conduct thorough investigations of aquatic species at all life stages and their habitats. This information is then used to develop comprehensive management plans that range from riparian enhancement and restoration to the recovery of threatened, endangered, and sensitive species. Our mitigation planning expertise helps speed the process for clients to obtain necessary permits, and our services can support compliance activity in several different areas, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA) Sections 7 and 10, Clean Water Act (CWA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).
Relevant Services
- Aquatic and Riparian Community Assessments
- Aquatic Ecology Risk Assessment
- Aquatic Insect Surveys
- Aquatic Surveys and Monitoring
- Fish and Invertebrate Tissue Sampling for Containment Investigation
- Fisheries
- Freshwater Mussel Surveys and Relocations
- Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Design
- Invasive Species Management
- Limiting Factors Analysis
- Macroinvertebrate Assessment and Rapid Bioassessment
- Non-Native Predator Removal
- Stream and Riparian Habitat Assessment Surveys
- Stream Restoration
- Trophic Interaction Assessments
- Watershed Assessment and Restoration Prioritization
- Wetlands
Fisheries and Marine Mammals
At SWCA, we recognize the importance of sustainable management and conservation of fisheries and marine mammals. Our services encompass a wide range of activities, including ecological assessments, habitat restoration, and compliance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. Our marine biologists and environmental consultants collaborate with clients to develop strategies that minimize impacts on aquatic ecosystems while supporting project objectives. Through rigorous research and tailored solutions, SWCA is committed to preserving marine biodiversity and promoting the health of oceanic environments, ensuring a balance between economic development and ecological integrity.
Relevant Services
- Bycatch Reduction Strategies
- Conservation and Management Plans
- Environmental Impact Statements
- Fisheries Impact Assessments
- Habitat Restoration and Enhancement
- Marine Mammal Surveys and Monitoring
- Marine Spatial Planning
- Regulatory Compliance and Permitting
- Stakeholder Engagement and Education
- Underwater Acoustic Monitoring
Migratory Birds and Eagles
SWCA offers comprehensive services focused on the conservation and management of migratory birds and eagles. Our team of ornithologists and environmental consultants work diligently to ensure compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA). We conduct detailed surveys and assessments to identify potential impacts on avian populations, providing expert guidance on mitigation strategies and habitat conservation. SWCA helps our clients navigate complex regulatory landscapes, ensuring that development projects proceed responsibly while safeguarding these vital species.
Relevant Services
- Avian Surveys and Monitoring
- Collision Risk Assessment
- Conservation Strategy Development
- Education and Outreach Programs
- Habitat Assessment and Management
- Impact Analysis and Mitigation Planning
- Nest Site Identification and Protection
- Permit Acquisition Support
- Regulatory Compliance Assistance
- Restoration and Enhancement Projects
Terrestrial Species and Ecology
Thorough investigation and technical expertise are essential for understanding the habitat and distribution of various land-dwelling species.
SWCA’s biologists employ cutting-edge technologies to perform biological surveys and gather comprehensive data, ensuring a holistic picture of species and their ecosystems. In addition to wildlife and habitat studies, we support our clients with comprehensive environmental management and conservation plans, environmental compliance strategies, and ecological restoration solutions.
Our terrestrial biology experts are knowledgeable on federal legislation including the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA), and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and they bring state and local expertise.
Relevant Services
- Airport Wildlife Hazard Assessments
- Bird and Bat Conservation Strategies (BBCS)
- Botanical Surveys and Monitoring
- Construction-Phase Biological Monitoring
- Forest and Grazing Plans
- Habitat Assessments and Geospatial Modeling
- Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans (INRMP)
- Habitat Conservation Plans and Implementation
- Invasive Species and Predator Control
- Life History Studies
- Nest and Nesting Studies
- Population and Ecological Studies and Modeling
- Post Construction Mortality Monitoring
- Salvage Collection, Relocation, or Transplantation
- Special Area Management Plans (SAMP)
- Species Conservation Banking
- Species Presence/Absence or Occupancy Studies
- Wildlife Banding, Marking, and Tracking Studies
Endangered Species Act (ESA) Compliance
Balancing the protection of threatened and endangered species with the needs of a growing economy is especially challenging.
SWCA is a leader in providing creative solutions to complex environmental issues, including compliance with the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). We are experienced in all areas of natural resource management, including planning, mitigation, and permitting, that are related to the ESA and other critical legislation for terrestrial and aquatic species and their habitats.
Our experience spans a full spectrum of project types including land development, flood control, and transportation. We guide you through the permitting process with the goal of enabling you to achieve your project objectives quickly and efficiently, while complying with the requirements of state and federal Endangered Species Acts.
Relevant Services
- Biological Assessments and Evaluations
- Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP) Preparation and Compliance
- Habitat Creation and Restoration
- Mitigation and Monitoring Plans
- NEPA Document Endangered Species Impact Analysis
- Nest and Nesting Colony Monitoring and Productivity Studies
- On-Site Project Worker Training
- Population Monitoring and Modeling
- Preconstruction Surveys and Biological Monitoring
- Predator Control
- Project-Specific Avoidance and Minimization Measures
- Section 7 and Section 10 Consultations with Federal Agencies
- Site Evaluation for Special Status Species Habitat
- Training Workshops
Meet the Experts
Senior Natural Resources Technical Director • Austin
Amanda Glen
Amanda Glen is SWCA’s natural resources technical director for biological services and provides strategic guidance on permitting and compliance for matters involving protected wildlife, plants, and habitats. Currently managing a national practice, she has more than 25 years of consulting experience with an emphasis on the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and how compliance with the ESA influences other regulatory programs. Her wealth of experience pertaining to endangered species issues includes research, permitting, consultations, status reviews, and conservation planning. Her experience includes negotiating compliance solutions for critically imperiled species facing potential determinations of jeopardy or adverse modification of designated critical habitats. She has led efforts to delist species no longer requiring the protections of the ESA when supported by sound science, and has been involved in voluntary conservation planning to help preclude the need to list species. Amanda frequently presents at regional and national conferences on matters related to the ESA, including new listings, regulatory and policy changes, and trends in compliance strategies.
Principal Wildlife Biologist
Clint King
Clint has eleven years of experience conducting environmental science studies and surveying for avian species and other wildlife in the western and southern United States.
Principal Ecologist • Denver
Ann Widmer
Ann is a quantitative ecologist in SWCA’s Denver office. She provides leadership company-wide on study design, data analysis, and data visualization for environmental research, monitoring, and mitigation planning. Ms. Widmer has over 20 years of experience with state agencies, universities, and consulting firms throughout the western United States. She has worked extensively with threatened and endangered fishes, conducting fish population and movement studies, mapping and evaluating aquatic habitats, and contributions to Endangered Species Act consultations. She works on most of SWCA’s wind power generation and transmission projects, designing and analyzing post construction monitoring surveys, assisting with species conservation plans, and conducting habitat equivalency analyses to support mitigation planning. She is experienced in the analysis of tagged animal data, particularly the estimation of vital rates and population demographics, and spatial models of seasonal habitat use.
Senior Natural Resources Team Lead
Nicole Smolensky
Since joining SWCA in 2015, Nicole’s expertise in ecology, evolution, and conservation biology has led to significant contributions across nearly all service lines and ten states, cementing numerous trusted partnerships.
Nicole’s influence extends to her technical and peer-reviewed publications, with contributions to more than twenty-three scientific meetings. Notable publications include Distance Sampling Underestimates Population Densities of Dune-Dwelling Lizards in the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Journal of Herpetology, and a study on Population Variation in Dune-Dwelling Lizards in Response to Patch Size, Patch Quality, and Oil and Gas Development published by the Southwestern Association of Naturalists, addressing impacts of patch size, quality, and oil and gas development.
Impact In Action
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SWCA’s experts in bat and bird biology are passionate about delivering sustainable solutions.
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The Otay River Restoration Project is located in south San Diego County, CA.
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Years of planning a research trip to build the baseline for a decade-long study.
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Q&A with Lawrence S. Semo Scientific Achievement Award winner, Steve Johnson.
SWCA Newsletter
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Awards • 2013
2013 Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Award
The city of New Braunfels, Texas, bestowed upon SWCA the 2013 Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Award. The award recognizes a citizen or group that advocates studying, teaching, documenting, and preserving the natural resources in New Braunfels. SWCA received the award for turtle research in Comal Springs led by Houston ecologist and herpetologist Eric Munscher. The volunteer turtle surveyors have logged more than 1,800 hours since the project began in 2011.
