Environmental Solutions & Innovations, Inc.

By December 4, 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is expected to release its final decision on whether the monarch butterfly will be protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). If FWS determines that listing is warranted, the decision will include a proposal to classify the species as either endangered or threatened. ESI ‘s pollinator team is ready to help clients navigate whatever decision is published by FWS. Our team is already actively supporting entities enrolled in the existing Monarch Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) and working with project proponents who anticipate the species may be listed. Our current efforts include a range of survey and analysis activities, such as: ?? Conducting habitat assessments to identify suitable monarch butterfly habitat; ?? Performing mortality assessments; ?? Implementing systematic surveys to detect monarch presence through direct field observations; and ?? Identifying and quantifying monarch host plants (milkweeds), larvae, pupae, and egg masses. Since our founding in 2000, ESI has collaborated with industry leaders, agencies, and private conservation organizations to address challenges associated with managing protected wildlife. Our experience includes: ?? Designing and executing survey efforts and monitoring plans; ?? Developing Biological Assessments (BAs) for projects with a federal nexus; and ?? Crafting Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) for projects without a federal nexus. Our team closely monitors regulatory developments to provide clients with actionable, science-based recommendations that comply with state and federal requirements. By integrating ecological expertise with a deep understanding of policy, ESI ensures sustainable outcomes that protect monarch populations while advancing project goals. For questions about ESI’s pollinator services, please contact: Dale Sparks, Principal Scientist.: [email protected] Robert Jean, Senior Entomologist: [email protected] #ESI #RealScienceRealSolutions #MonarchButterfly #PollinatorConservation #EndangeredSpeciesAct #ConservationBiology #HabitatRestoration #SustainableDevelopment #WildlifeProtection #EnvironmentalConsulting #MilkweedMatters #BiodiversityConservation #ScienceBasedSolutions

Not All Heroes Wear Capes... Some Wield Shovels! ?? Gopher tortoise burrows were observed within the proposed right of way of an upcoming roadway project. Enter ESI Wildlife Biologist (and FWC Gopher Tortoise Authorized Agent), Alex Meehean, who led the effort to carefully excavate and relocate these protected tortoises. After some dedicated digging, three gopher tortoises were successfully recovered and relocated to a designated protected recipient site. Meanwhile, bucket trapping is underway at additional burrows where mechanical excavation isn’t feasible. Great work, Alex, and kudos to the entire ESI team for ensuring wildlife protection remains a priority during development projects.??? #ESI #RealScienceRealSolutions #WildlifeConservation #GopherTortoise

Next week is the REWI Conference, and we’re thrilled to announce our ESI Mixer location! Join us in Suite #1838 for a relaxed evening of networking, appetizers, and drinks—our treat! ???????? As an environmental consulting firm dedicated to conservation and sustainability, ESI is excited to connect with industry colleagues who are equally passionate about creating a positive environmental impact. Don’t miss this chance to meet our team, learn more about our latest projects, and discuss opportunities for collaboration. Looking forward to seeing you there! #ESI #RealScienceRealSolutions #REWI2024 Brian Ortman CWB Dale Sparks Allison Wheaton Tyler Remick W. Randall Freeman

Don't forget...if you're going to the REWI conference in Corpus Christi, be sure to stop by the ESI Mixer!

?? An ESI Halloween ?? In shadows cast by trees so tall, ESI roams where mysteries call. Through moonlit fields and haunted skies, We track the creatures others pass by. With lanterns bright and eyes so keen, We watch for life that’s rarely seen. For bats that fly on silent wing, And lurking owls that softly sing. Inspecting lands from dusk till dawn, Where ghostly winds and whispers yawn. No spooky sounds will scare us away— We’re here to safeguard, come what may. So here’s to nature, wild and deep, Where hidden creatures safely sleep. On Halloween, we’ll make this vow: Protect the earth—our mission now. Happy Halloween from ESI! ?? #ESI #RealScienceRealSolutions #ProtectOurPlanet #WildlifeWonders #EcoGuardians #EnvironmentalStewardship #NatureAtNight #HalloweenInTheField #HabitatProtection #PreserveNature #SpookyScience

?? Happy Bat Week from ESI! ?? This Bat Week, we’re thrilled to recognize the essential role bats play in maintaining healthy ecosystems and boosting our economy. Not only are they powerful pollinators and seed dispersers, but they’re also nature’s pest control experts! Each night, bats consume thousands of insects, including crop-damaging pests, reducing the need for pesticides and benefiting farmers worldwide. Their contributions support crops like bananas, figs, cacao, and agave (cheers to tequila!) while protecting our forests and agricultural lands from insect overpopulation. However, bats are facing increasing threats from habitat loss, disease, and climate change. At ESI, we’re dedicated to conserving bat populations by working with clients across diverse sectors—electric transmission, renewable energy, oil & gas, and transportation—as well as partnering with conservationists, biologists, educators, and local communities to protect these remarkable creatures. Let’s celebrate and support bats and the balance they bring to our world! ?? To learn more about Bat Week, go to: https://batweek.org/ #ESI #RealScienceRealSolutions #BatWeek #Conservation #NaturalPestControl #ProtectBats #Pollinators

ANOTHER RARE FIND BY ESI POLLINATOR SPECIALIST In late September, Kyle Price, ESI's pollinator specialist, made a groundbreaking discovery in Iowa when he documented a rare Rusty Patched Bumblebee (RPBB) nest—the first found in the state since the species was listed as endangered. The discovery was sparked by a community science post on iNaturalist, which was identified by Zach Portman from the University of Minnesota. Kyle worked with Michelle King, the original observer, to document the nest and report it to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). After the initial documentation, Kyle and ESI’s senior entomologist, Dr. Robert Jean, returned in late October to excavate the RPBB nest. This marks only the fifth attempt to excavate a nest of this species across its entire range. This rare opportunity provides valuable insights into the RPBB's nesting ecology, including parasitic studies, DNA sampling, and habitat analysis. Kudos to Kyle for another rare find! ?? Check out the original observation here: https://lnkd.in/e8Nhknxy.

ESI is Heading to Corpus Christi! Our team is excited to participate in the Wind & Wildlife Research Meeting hosted by the Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute! This event gathers leading experts in conservation, research, and renewable energy to explore innovative solutions that balance wildlife conservation with the growing demand for clean energy. At ESI, we are dedicated to working at the intersection of energy development and biodiversity conservation. By attending this meeting, we look forward to engaging with the latest research and collaborating on strategies to ensure renewable energy projects protect endangered species and critical habitats. Stay tuned as we bring back insights to advance our mission of sustainable environmental solutions. And don’t forget to join us for our mixer on November 12th as we help kick off the event! We can’t wait to connect with you! #ESI #RealScienceRealSolutions #REWI #WindEnergy #WildlifeConservation #RenewableEnergy #Biodiversity #Sustainability #EndangeredSpecies #ESIConservation

?? ESI is once again sponsoring the Annual North American Society for Bat Research (NASBR) conference, and we are thrilled to share that our very own Wildlife Biologist, Nicole Rose, will be presenting her research! ?? Nicole’s presentation, "Group Vocal Composition and Decision-Making During Roost Finding in Spix’s Disk-Winged Bats," explores how these social bats in Costa Rica use a unique system of inquiry-response calls—think of it like playing “Marco-Polo”—to maintain group cohesion while finding roosts. Her research highlights how specific individuals in the group use higher calling rates to guide others, reducing the risk of fragmentation and improving roost-finding efficiency. We’re incredibly proud of Nicole’s work and look forward to her contribution to the understanding of bat behavior and conservation. If you're attending NASBR this year, don’t miss her presentation! Link to the paper: https://lnkd.in/dhggNREc #ESI #RealScienceRealSolutions #NASBR2024 #BatConservation #WildlifeResearch #EndangeredSpecies #Biodiversity #Sustainability #ESI #EnvironmentalConsulting #ConservationMatters #ScientificResearch

ESI is Heading to Corpus Christi! Our team is excited to participate in the Wind & Wildlife Research Meeting hosted by the Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute! This event gathers leading experts in conservation, research, and renewable energy to explore innovative solutions that balance wildlife conservation with the growing demand for clean energy. At ESI, we are dedicated to working at the intersection of energy development and biodiversity conservation. By attending this meeting, we look forward to engaging with the latest research and collaborating on strategies to ensure renewable energy projects protect endangered species and critical habitats. Stay tuned as we bring back insights to advance our mission of sustainable environmental solutions. And don’t forget to join us for our mixer on November 12th as we help kick off the event! We can’t wait to connect with you! #ESI #RealScienceRealSolutions #REWI #WindEnergy #WildlifeConservation #RenewableEnergy #Biodiversity #Sustainability #EndangeredSpecies #ESIConservation