News

PRESS RELEASE: WRA, Inc. Develops Conservation Plan Model for Land Preservation at Tejon Ranch The State’s largest private conservation land plan for the preservation of up to 240,000 acres at Tejon Ranch in southern California was based on a conservation model developed by WRA, Inc, of San Rafael, CA. The agreement between Tejon Ranch Corporation and five major environmental groups was reached on May 9, 2007. The selection of lands best suited to protect environmental resources and rare species was determined through application of conservation principles in a computer model developed by WRA. The GIS based model was first developed in 2005 for the Trust for Public Land for its original 100,000 acre purchase agreement. The model utilized extensive data collected at the Ranch and used Geographic Information System modeling to predict the location of the best lands suited for natural resource protection. The model used habitat characteristics to predict the locations where sensitive plant and animal species would be found.   “Conservation planning on a large scale requires use of extensive datasets and the model allowed for us to understand which parts of the Ranch would include the best and most pristine habitats for conservation purposes”, stated Dr. Michael Josselyn, President of the firm and the principal in charge of the project. “We spent many days in the field understanding whether the model accurately predicted the best land values for conservation and were pleased that the results were validated by the environmental groups who used the model to select the lands that would be part of the final deal”.     The model assessed lands based on their value for watershed integrity, biodiversity, sensitive species habitat values, rare habitat types, and wildlife movement corridors. Over 50 data sources were used to run the model and establish those lands most likely to represent the highest conservation values. WRA, Inc. is an environmental consulting firm that provides services in biological sciences, landscape architecture, and GIS modeling. The firm was established in 1982 and its 45 person professional staff serves private and public clients.

4/15/08	WRA's Bill Stagnaro gains U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Recovery Permit for San Francisco Garter Snake and Alameda Whipsnake Mr. William Stagnaro, wildlife biologist with WRA, Inc. has been approved for a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 10(a)(1)(A) recovery permit for the federal endangered San Francisco Garter Snake and the federal threatened Alameda Whipsnake. This permit authorizes Mr. Stagnaro to capture, handle, and release these species in conjunction with trap-line population or presence/absence surveys. In addition Mr. Stagnaro currently holds U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permits for the California Red-legged Frog and the California Tiger Salamander... Read full article: Survey Services for San Francisco Garter Snake and Alameda Whipsnake
3/3/08	WRA starts work on the Yreka Creek Greenway Development Project… WRA, Inc. entered into contract with the City of Yreka as prime consultant teaming with Kamman Hydrology, Pacific Municipal Consultants, SHN Consulting Engineers, and Erica Fielder Studio to provide planning, engineering, and design services for the Yreka Creek Greenway Development Project. The project includes riparian restoration, trail design, expansion of floodplain storage capacity, improvements to salmon habitat, and provides for public access and educational components. WRA selected as prime consultant for Evergreen Specific Plan Area Evaluation and Remediation Project… WRA, Inc. teamed with Clearwater Hydrology to provide riparian evaluation and mitigation design for Quimby and Fowler Creeks located within the Evergreen Specific Plan Area of San Jose. This project involves evaluating current riparian conditions and providing guidance on additional improvements to increase environmental function and habitat area as required by the Evergreen Specific Plan Area EIR mitigation measures. WRA and Clearwater Hydrology will also work together to develop riparian mitigation and stream restoration construction drawings for implementation of recommended measures. Additionally, WRA will prepare a five-year maintenance plan and implement a monitoring-training program for City staff.
2/28/08	Mike Josselyn, President of WRA, will be a Presenter at Two Seminars this Spring 2008 Coastal Development in California Seminar San Francisco, CA, March 5, 2008 ESHAs and Other Biological Issues Topics covered will include: Defining ESHAs and their Buffers Wetland Delineation Practices in the Coastal Zone Endangered Species — Flora and Fauna To find out more about this workshop go to: www.lorman.com 16th California Water Law Annual Conference San Francisco, CA, May 16, 2008 Wetlands Regulations, The Latest Developments Presented with Calvin Fong, Retired Chief, Regulatory Branch U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Topics covered will include: Rapanos Guidance New Delineation Manuals Endangered Species To find out more about this conference go to: www.cle.com/calwater
2/26/08	WRA, Inc. Contributes to the Pacific Commons Preserve Pacific Commons, a 444 acre preserve for vernal pool habitat in Fremont, CA, was transferred to the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge in January 2008. WRA designed, permitted, oversaw construction, and is currently monitoring the Preserve for Prologis, Inc as mitigation for a commercial and retail development. One of the largest vernal pool restoration projects in the state, the project restored over 90 acres of vernal pools and wetlands. The restoration provides habitat for a number of endangered and rare species including the Contra Costa goldfields, the California tiger salamander, the vernal pool tadpole shrimp, and the burrowing owl. The transfer to the Refuge was sooner than expected due to the success achieved at the Preserve. Contact Phil Greer at WRA for more information on this project.
11/1/06	WRA, Inc. Recognized as Marin Green Business The Marin Green Business Program is a voluntary partnership among business leaders, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. It was developed by Bay Area public agencies in collaboration with the US EPA, Cal EPA Department of Toxic Substances Control and the business community. They recognize and promote businesses that: Demonstrate continuous compliance with applicable environmental regulations Conserve energy, water, and other materials Implement sound environmental practices that prevent pollution and waste generation Share environmentally responsible practices with other businesses in our community WRA, Inc. Receives the Coastal America "Spirit Award" In recognition of our efforts to protect, preserve and restore California's aquatic resources — Coastal America has awarded WRA with their annual Spirit Award.
10/26/06	WRA, Inc. Celebrates 25 Years of Environmental Consulting WRA, Inc is celebrating its 25th year of providing environmental consulting services. Formed as Wetland Research Associates, Inc in 1981, we have been an industry leader in providing quality environmental permitting services and habitat restoration planning and implementation for our clients. Major projects such as the Pacific Commons vernal pool restoration, the Batiquitos Lagoon restoration, and the Route 37 Wetland Restoration are just a few of our significant accomplishments. We look forward to providing our clients with more than they expect and assuring quality performance, innovative solutions, and cost-effective results that meet their needs.
9/9/06	WRA, Inc. is pleased to announce the dedication of Steamer Landing Park September 12th, 2005 at 1:00pm D Street & Copeland Street Petaluma, CA view the invitation » WRA, Inc. congratulates George J. Salvaggio Jr. and his staff for designing Steamer Landing Park and announces his promotion to Senior Associate. Mr. Salvaggio created our landscape architecture department, which specializes in wetland and stream restoration, public access to open space and sensitive habitat areas, and alternative approaches to development that incorporate new paradigms in stormwater management and protection of natural resources.
1/1/05	Wetlands Research Associates, Inc. Becomes WRA After 23 years in business, Wetlands Research Associates, Inc is changing its name to WRA to reflect its expanding range of experience and services in the field of environmental consulting. Our company logo and colors have also changed to reflect our interdisciplinary staff and collaborative experience. We continue to offer the same high quality services that our clients have come to expect from us and look forward to assisting you in a broad range of consulting needs.