Earth Day: an environmental phenomenon that began on April 22, 1970 and continues to this very day. An estimated 20 million Americans, approximately 10 percent of the country’s total population at the time, gathered in cities and towns on that late April day to demonstrate for a more sustainable environment. It has and continues to attract support from all corners of American society.
As we recognize the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the energy and support for environmental stewardship that blossomed during that first coordinated effort continues to propel action. Earth Day is now celebrated by more than a billion people around the world.
“Sustainability and environmental stewardship are among our top priorities,” noted Jeff Lighthiser, President and CEO of Draper Aden Associates.
“We are committed to providing environmental services to enhance, protect, and preserve local environments,” he added. “We believe in helping communities achieve their visions for a safer, more prosperous, and sustainable future. This approach is one of the pillars of our philosophy to leave a lasting, positive impact.”
Our firm has extensive experience providing many environmental services, including environmental engineering, environmental impact reports (EIR), assessments, solid waste management services, and remediation. Our trained staff of geologists, engineers, and environmental scientists work diligently to help clients achieve their goals and comply with environmental regulations.
In addition to the firm’s environmental services, we also have extensive experience helping clients manage their water resources and improve stormwater management to ensure a healthier environment for all.
As the globe celebrates the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we are revisiting some of our notable environmental projects.
VCU’s Rice Center for Environmental Life Sciences
First, we were proud to partner with Virginia Commonwealth University to provide civil engineering, design, surveying, environmental, and construction administration services for the Rice Center for Environmental Life Sciences, an educational facility that also serves as VCU’s environmental field station. Located on a 343-acre property in Charles City County, VA, the Rice Center was the first project in Virginia to receive a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Platinum certification.
The facility boasts a number of green elements, including geothermal wells, an innovative grading and drainage system, stormwater runoff controls that recycle rainwater, sustainable strategies for efficient energy use, and an on-site wastewater treatment system. Learn more about this project here.
Brownfields Redevelopment
Second, our firm has a long history of and substantial expertise in helping communities secure and implement brownfields redevelopment grants from the EPA. Among the localities to have benefited from grants are Pulaski, Martinsville, Lynchburg, Williamsburg, James City County, and York County in Virginia and Princeton in North Carolina. Read more here about Draper Aden’s recent effort to secure a brownfields grant award.
Enviro Wiki
Finally, we believe that environmental stewardship also means highlighting the latest research and best practices to support the best decisions for our environment. That’s why Draper Aden staff is honored to have helped develop and update ENVIRO Wiki. This research and information tool is developed and supported by SERDP and ESTCP, two Department of Defense research programs. The wiki’s goal is to communicate timely environmental restoration information to a wide array of users in an accessible way. Learn more about this work here.
We hope that you will join us in celebrating Earth Day’s momentous milestone this year. Our firm will continue to pledge our commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and helping our clients meet their environmental needs.
After all, a healthier and stronger environment is the foundation of leaving a lasting, positive impact for generations to come.
