By Tom Price, Infrastructure Business President, and Lytle Troutt, Environmental Business President

For many of us, the Fourth of July means time with family and friends — long afternoons by the water, backyard barbecues and neighborhood parades. Fireworks at night, with flags lining front porches and touches of red, white and blue everywhere you look. It’s a moment to slow down and appreciate the freedoms and opportunities we don’t always recognize and simply pause to reflect.

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, we’ve been thinking about what it really means to build something that lasts.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, the United States took shape as a bold idea, defined as much by uncertainty as by possibility. There was no defined roadmap, just a belief that progress was possible and that each generation would help move it forward. Success depended on the nation’s first engineers, surveyors and problem-solvers — people like George Washington, who helped map the land and laid the groundwork for the systems that would shape a growing nation and connect communities over time.

Throughout our careers, we’ve seen that same spirit of possibility continue to take shape in the work being done today. Progress in infrastructure and environmental work still hinges on solving complex challenges, often without a clear path forward, while defining communities in lasting ways — from reconnecting regions to protecting public health and creating new opportunity where it didn’t exist before.

Since our country’s founding, work itself has evolved. Projects are more complex, expectations are higher and there’s a deeper understanding of how these investments affect communities over time. That has made our work more challenging, but also more meaningful.

Across the country, our clients are leading the way. They are expanding mobility and improving how people connect to jobs, schools and one another. They are strengthening water systems to support growing populations and protect critical resources. They are transforming former industrial sites into places where communities can gather and grow again. They are addressing legacy environmental challenges such as orphaned wells and abandoned mine lands, while also investing in energy and infrastructure that reflects where the country is headed, including the demands of a more connected and digital world.

These efforts may not always be visible, but they are foundational to how communities move forward.

What has remained constant since America’s founding is the importance of partnership. The best outcomes come from alignment, trust and a shared commitment to doing the work the right way. Public agencies, private partners, field teams and communities all play a role.

At �鶹TV��վ, we’re proud to support that work, bringing clarity to complex challenges and helping projects move forward with confidence, contributing to outcomes that extend well beyond the life of the project.

Looking ahead, the connection between infrastructure and environmental stewardship is intertwined deeper than ever before. Communities are asking not only what will be built, but how it will perform, who it will serve and what it will leave behind.

We’re grateful for the clients and partners who take on the responsibility to help communities across America flourish and thrive. Their work continues to shape communities, create opportunity and strengthen the future of the places we call home.

The American story is still being written. We see it in every project that moves from concept to reality and in every community that benefits from the investments being made today. So, this Fourth of July, we celebrate the people behind that progress and the work still ahead. We’re grateful to play a small role in what comes next.

-Tom and Lytle

A Top 15 construction management ranking and Top 50 program management placement highlight �鶹TV��վ’ dedication to clients and delivering with distinction.

�鶹TV��վ has advanced across several categories in the , reflecting continued growth in its core capabilities, rooted in its ability to exceed client expectations, forge strong partnerships and provide exceptional service at every project stage.

�鶹TV��վ’ 2026 ENR rankings represent the dedication and trust of clients and project delivery teams. This year, �鶹TV��վ climbed to No. 14 on ENR’s Top 50 Construction Management Firms list.  �鶹TV��վ also earned a place on the Top 50 Program Management Firms at No. 49, marking an important milestone in the company’s expanding role in delivering complex infrastructure and environmental programs. Additionally, �鶹TV��վ ranked at No. 28 on the Combined Construction Management/PM‑for‑Fee Firms list.

“I’m incredibly grateful to our clients for their partnership in addressing the nation’s infrastructure and environmental needs,” said Jacque Hinman, �鶹TV��վ Chief Executive Officer.  “The �鶹TV��վ Team strives to deliver projects safely, responsively and with distinction, and rankings such as the annual ENR lists serve as a guidepost to measure our progress. The fact that we have achieved these rankings through organic growth, delivered one project at a time, is a testament to the dedication and values of our combined �鶹TV��վ-client teams.” 

�鶹TV��վ also earned placements across , including No. 54 on the Top 500 Design Firms list, No. 45 among Top 100 Pure Designers and No. 14 in the hazardous waste sector, demonstrating the firm’s continued presence across engineering and environmental services.

Together these rankings highlight the breadth of �鶹TV��վ’ capabilities, from professional services to engineering, design and environmental solutions, supporting infrastructure and environmental projects at every stage of the project lifecycle.

With local teams backed by national expertise, �鶹TV��վ partners with clients to navigate complexity, deliver with confidence and advance projects that strengthen and connect communities, including construction management on projects like the Avalon Pedestrian Bridge, designed to reconnect residents to their waterfront, as well as advancing resilient water systems that protect public health and improving mobility and safety for growing communities.

Advancements such as LiDAR and drone‑based data collection are shaping the next chapter of surveying and geospatial data collection. These tools enhance accuracy, improve safety and accelerate project delivery, giving surveyors new ways to gather meaningful spatial data while reducing risk in the field. 

Ty Atmaca will present “Drone-Based Geophysics and Methan Detection for Orphan Well Identification” at the in Houston, Texas, June 24-25. He will highlight how advanced drone magnetometer surveys, methane detection technologies and Blue UAS-approved platforms are helping locate undocumented orphan wells faster, safer and more cost effectively.

A New Era of Surveying

Historically, surveying required crews to physically access project sites and manually collect data points — often over extended periods of time. Today, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) enables surveyors to capture millions of data points in a single scan, producing highly detailed 3D models of real‑world environments with remarkable efficiency. 

While the tools have changed, the mission remains the same: delivering reliable, precise and actionable spatial information. Modern survey technologies simply make that mission easier to achieve — and often in ways that are safer and more efficient for field teams.

• Safer: Reduces the need for personnel to enter hazardous or hard‑to‑reach areas such as levees, bridge structures, unstable terrain or industrial sites.
• Faster: Enables data collection in days instead of weeks or months.
• Smarter: Produces richer datasets that support better planning, engineering and environmental decision‑making.

Cagatay “Ty” Atmaca

Where These Technologies Deliver the Most Value

At �鶹TV��վ, drone‑based surveying and LiDAR are particularly effective for environmental, energy and infrastructure‑related investigations.

One key application is orphan well locating, where drone‑mounted magnetometers are used to detect buried well casings and undocumented infrastructure that may pose environmental or public safety risks. Drones are also used for methane detection, enabling rapid scanning of large areas — a critical capability for landfill monitoring and emissions management.

LiDAR supports a wide range of additional applications, including transportation corridors, coastal protection, site development, agricultural lands and landfills. The technology is especially valuable for drainage analysis, where subtle elevation changes captured through digital terrain models (DTMs) can help teams identify potential challenges early in the project lifecycle. 

Real‑World Impact

The benefits of integrating LiDAR and drone‑based geophysics are especially clear on complex or remote projects.

In one recent effort, �鶹TV��վ supported an orphan well locating and methane detection project in a mountainous region where a well was not visible at the surface. Drone‑based magnetometer data revealed a clear anomaly consistent with a buried well casing, allowing the client to pinpoint its location with confidence. In another instance, the combined use of aerial and ground‑based geophysical methods helped identify a fully buried well that was actively leaking gas — information that would have been difficult to uncover using traditional approaches alone.

On the LiDAR side, �鶹TV��վ supported development planning on an 850‑acre site for a large data center project. Terrain data that would have taken months to collect using conventional GPS methods was captured in just days, providing a detailed surface model that clearly represented drainage features and complex topography across the property.

Navigating Challenges and Regulations

Drone‑based projects often require extensive coordination, particularly in regulated or sensitive airspace. Depending on location, operations may involve approvals from airports, military authorities, local governments or landowners. �鶹TV��վ’ experience navigating these requirements allows teams to plan and execute drone operations safely, efficiently and in compliance — even in highly controlled environments. 

Looking Ahead

From landfill investigations and geohazard studies to emerging applications such as lava tube detection, LiDAR and drone‑based technologies continue to expand what is possible in surveying and geophysics. By integrating advanced sensors with proven methodologies, �鶹TV��վ helps clients gain deeper insight into both surface and subsurface conditions — supporting smarter decisions, improved safety and more resilient outcomes.

From Brownfield to Community Vision in Trimble County, Kentucky

On the edge of Bedford, Kentucky, a historic farm sat largely unused, with a lot of potential still to be realized. Today, that same land is being reimagined as , a new, connected community rooted in the character of Trimble County and designed to support how people want to live, work and gather. 

The site, formerly part of the historic Halloran Farm, was identified as a brownfield property, where past use and environmental uncertainty can present barriers to redevelopment. Through the (KIPDA)’s EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant, �鶹TV��վ partnered with KIPDA and project stakeholders to evaluate site conditions and help move the vision forward with clarity and confidence.

�鶹TV��վ’ role focused on environmental due diligence and site assessment, helping define what was possible on the land. By identifying potential risks early and aligning with state brownfields programs, the team helped transform uncertainty into a clear path forward, supporting a redevelopment plan that balances preservation, community needs and long-term viability.

Today, Coleman’s Landing is envisioned as a walkable village centered on connection, featuring a mix of homes, trails, green space, small businesses and healthcare services. A new healthcare facility is already underway, expanding access to care and reinforcing the project’s role in strengthening quality of life across the region.

For �鶹TV��վ, this work reflects the broader purpose of brownfields redevelopment, helping communities reclaim land in a way that is both responsible and forward-looking.

“Brownfields work is about more than environmental cleanup; it’s about helping communities move from uncertainty to opportunity. At Coleman’s Landing, that meant helping define a clear path forward that supports redevelopment while creating real opportunities for Trimble County to grow,” said Kelly Schmitt, �鶹TV��վ National Brownfields Director.

By combining environmental insight with strong local partnerships, �鶹TV��վ is helping transform underutilized land into a place shaped by community vision, one that will support Trimble County for generations to come.

In our last feature on Sally Riker, we explored her perspective on leadership, connection and the role infrastructure plays in shaping communities. Since that conversation, Sally was recognized with the first-ever , awarded at the .  This honor is one of the Foundation’s highest honors, recognizing exceptional service and leadership in advancing its mission to develop the next generation of engineering leaders and strengthen the profession. More than a single moment, the recognition reflects a long-standing commitment to service, leadership and the broader mission of the (SAME).

For Sally, the recognition carries weight, but not for the reasons you might expect.

“It’s humbling,” she says. “But it doesn’t feel like something you achieve on your own. It reflects years of people working together. It’s shared.”

That sense of shared effort is not new for her. It traces back to the way she first became involved with SAME. Early in her career and fresh out of college, she attended a local Post meeting and found herself stepping into a leadership role before she fully understood what it meant.

“I was ‘voluntold’ to serve on the board,” she recalls. “I didn’t really know what I was getting into, but I said yes.”

What followed wasn’t a traditional path, but an experience that shaped how she approaches leadership to this day. Working alongside a small, committed group, she learned how to lead in real time, contributing where needed, building together and recognizing that everyone had a role to play.

That early experience has stayed with her, particularly the idea that leadership is less about waiting until you’re ready and more about stepping in and figuring it out along the way. It’s also what kept her connected to SAME as her career evolved, moving from local involvement to regional and national leadership, and eventually to her role on the SAME Foundation Board.

Previously, Sally reflected on how organizations like SAME, the Urban Land Institute and the Council for Quality Growth have influenced her approach to leadership. She described them as spaces to grow beyond the day-to-day work, places where leadership is grounded in service and shaped by mission-driven collaboration.

Through SAME, she developed what she describes as a deeper appreciation for partnership and purpose, an understanding that leadership means contributing to something larger than yourself. That perspective continues to guide her work with the Foundation today.

“It gives me a connection to something bigger,” she says. “You’re not just participating — you’re helping create opportunities for someone else.”

Those opportunities take many forms, including supporting scholarships, mentoring emerging professionals, advancing STEM outreach and contributing to leadership development programs that strengthen the profession over time. Much of this work happens behind the scenes, but its impact is long-lasting, shaping the pathway for future leaders across the industry.

One of the most visible examples of that work is the Soaring Eagle Award, a national recognition program Sally helped bring to life alongside a dedicated group of leaders. What began as an idea evolved over several years into something more significant, an effort to recognize a different kind of leadership.

“We wanted to highlight how people lead,” she explains. “Not just what they’ve delivered, but how they bring others along with them.”

That focus — on how leadership is practiced, not just what it produces — mirrors the values that have guided her own journey. It also reinforces a broader shift in how the industry defines impact, moving beyond individual accomplishments to the influence leaders have on the people and teams around them.

Receiving the SAME Foundation President’s Medal feels, in many ways, like a reflection of those same values. More than three decades after that first Post meeting, Sally still comes back to the moment she said yes and the opportunity it created.

“You don’t always realize it at the time,” she says. “But someone gave me a seat at the table early. And that changes your path.”

It’s a perspective she continues to carry forward, both in her work with SAME and in her role at �鶹TV��վ. As Vice President of Strategy and Growth for �鶹TV��վ’ Infrastructure South Atlantic Division, her focus remains consistent: building relationships, creating opportunities and thinking long-term about both projects and people.

In our previous Q&A, Sally described leadership as something that requires intentionality, listening, understanding context and leading with purpose. That same mindset is evident in how she views this recognition: not as a defining milestone, but as part of a larger, ongoing commitment.

“If you’ve had that experience,” she says, “you try to do the same for someone else.”

Read the full conversation

To learn more about Sally’s background, leadership philosophy and career at �鶹TV��վ, explore our previous feature: The Industry Connector: Q&A with Sally Riker

​

Atlanta’s rise as a national soccer hub is gaining speed — fueled by growing global attention as the city prepares to host matches during the upcoming World Cup and reinforced by the recent groundbreaking of a new National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) training facility in Marietta.

The 33-acre, purpose-built campus will become the home base for Atlanta’s newest team, set to debut in 2028. Designed as a world-class training environment, the facility will include a headquarters building, multiple full-size fields and the infrastructure needed to support daily operations and long-term growth.

But long before the first field is installed or the first structure begins to rise, the success of a facility like this is shaped by the work happening below the surface. Projects of this scale demand the same level of coordination and technical rigor as major infrastructure programs — where durability, site performance and continuous use all matter from day one.

That is where �鶹TV��վ brings depth and experience. With decades of work supporting sports and recreation infrastructure across Atlanta and nationwide, �鶹TV��վ delivers civil site engineering, geotechnical and environmental services for complex athletic facilities and campus environments. From professional stadiums and training campuses to collegiate and community sports complexes, �鶹TV��վ helps bring fields, buildings and supporting site systems together in ways designed to perform reliably over time.

On the new NWSL training facility, �鶹TV��վ is supporting the design team with an integrated scope that includes civil site engineering, geotechnical evaluation and environmental permitting — helping guide the project from early site characterization through design, permitting and into construction. From the outset, subsurface conditions, grading strategies and environmental considerations have played a central role in shaping the site and influencing how fields, structures and infrastructure systems work together.

The facility is also being designed to function as a cohesive system under continuous use. Multiple fields, support facilities and circulation infrastructure must work together across the campus — balancing drainage, resilience and operational efficiency in a setting expected to perform every day. That kind of long-term performance depends on early coordination across disciplines.

“When site development, geotechnical and environmental considerations are brought together early, the team can evaluate how each decision impacts overall site performance,” said Andrew Pankopp, �鶹TV��վ National Practice Team Manager – Civil Site Engineering. “It allows you to align grading, drainage and constructability with permitting and long-term use from the start — reducing rework, improving efficiency and supporting a site that performs reliably over time.”

Beyond the facility itself, the project reflects a broader investment in the City of Marietta’s Franklin Gateway Corridor, where infrastructure supports not only professional sports, but also long-term growth and opportunity for the surrounding community. New community parking and corridor improvements will create additional ways for people to connect and engage with the adjacent community soccer facilities.

As purpose-built training environments continue to grow — particularly in women’s professional sports — this kind of investment reflects a broader shift toward infrastructure that supports athletes, operations and meaningful community connection.

“The NWSL training facility represents more than a new training campus,” said Tom Price, �鶹TV��վ Infrastructure Business President. “It’s helping shape the future of sport — where strong training environments and community investment work together to support athletes and create a lasting impact, enabling communities to grow, connect and thrive.”

Located within one of Appalachia’s most iconic landscapes, reflects a layered history of natural beauty, industrial use and ecological recovery. Drawing on deep experience in abandoned mine lands reclamation, �鶹TV��վ supports the park’s restoration by designing site-specific solutions that address legacy mining impacts while preserving the area’s scenic character and environmental integrity.

 �鶹TV��վ developed reclamation design plans for five sites within the park system, each shaped by both abandoned surface and underground mining activities with the land altered by these past activities.   Although mining operations ceased several decades ago, lingering impacts continue to affect surface and groundwater quality, landscape stability and visual aesthetics. �鶹TV��վ’ approach focused on understanding the unique conditions at each site and developing thoughtful, low-profile solutions that restore function while blending naturally into the surrounding environment.

A central element of the work involved managing acid mine drainage (AMD) and other waters emanating from abandoned deep‑mine entries. At several locations, discharges were largely dispersed, difficult to control and highly visible within protected park settings. �鶹TV��վ’ designs consolidate, control and convey flows, routing them through engineered systems that subtly follow natural drainage patterns. Treated water is directed to existing swales leading to the New River, reducing visual impacts while protecting water quality.

In areas where low‑volume seeps were identified, �鶹TV��վ developed targeted capture and conveyance strategies to direct flows to designated outfall locations. These designs incorporate a proposed grout curtain to control subsurface pathways, with the resulting discharges routed to natural drainage features. Final outfalls are intentionally designed to appear seamless within the landscape, underscoring �鶹TV��վ’ emphasis on technical performance paired with visual sensitivity.

Beyond mine water management, the project scope included reclamation design for abandoned highwalls, coal refuse and spoil piles, sealing of portals, stream restoration and remediation and demolition of legacy structures. Each component was approached with long‑term land management, safety and ecological recovery in mind — reflecting �鶹TV��վ’ commitment to solutions that not only address existing hazards but also support natural processes and enhance the visitor experience.

Collaboration was integral throughout the design process with �鶹TV��վ working closely with agency partners, including the National Park Service and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, to align technical solutions with regulatory requirements, agency standards and long-term management objectives. This coordination helped navigate the complexities of working within a federally protected landscape while remaining consistent with the park’s mission.  

“Through thoughtful planning, innovative engineering and respect for the natural and cultural significance of the New River Gorge, �鶹TV��վ is helping transform areas affected by historical mining into stable, functional and visually harmonious landscapes. These projects demonstrate how reclamation design plans can successfully bridge the past and the future — addressing legacy impacts while protecting one of the nation’s newest and most treasured national parks for generations to come,” said Clayton Kirk Roderick, �鶹TV��վ Abandoned Mine Lands Program Manager.

Learn more:

• �鶹TV��վ Abandoned Mine Lands Solutions
• Restoring What Was Left Behind—�鶹TV��վ’ Leadership in Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation

Alethea Muno, �鶹TV��վ Petrographer, was recently named a recipient of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Emerging Professional Award. The honor recognizes early‑career professionals who demonstrate technical excellence, professional engagement and leadership potential within the materials community. We caught up with Alethea to talk about her path into petrography, what excites her about the work and why this recognition feels so meaningful at this stage of her career.

For Alethea Muno, a career in petrography didn’t follow a traditional path — it began with curiosity and an unexpected connection.

As an undergraduate geology student at the University of Iowa, Alethea was often told her career options were limited to environmental consulting, groundwater remediation or oil and gas. Then a new possibility appeared. Jaclyn Ferraro, a University of Iowa alumna working in concrete petrography, reached out to the department looking for students interested in the field.

The opportunity immediately stood out. Petrography felt more technical, more investigative and better aligned with the kind of impact Alethea hoped to make. Although the role was already filled — and a master’s degree would likely be required — the idea stayed with her and reshaped how she viewed her future.

Rather than feeling limited by traditional expectations, she leaned into that curiosity. She began exploring petrography more seriously, drawn to its hands-on, problem-solving nature. Although graduate school hadn’t been part of her original plan, pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Iowa during the COVID era became a turning point. She entered the program with one goal: gain the knowledge and experience needed to build a career in petrography.

During graduate school, Alethea gravitated toward geotechnical coursework and developed a deeper appreciation for the applied side of geology. As graduation approached, she prepared to begin her career wherever it might lead — unsure when, or if, petrography would become a reality.

Then, not long after graduating, an unfamiliar number appeared on her phone. Normally, she wouldn’t answer. This time, she did.

It was Jaclyn, calling with an offer in concrete petrography — the opportunity Alethea has been working toward for years had finally arrived.

Today, materials science gives her exactly what she was searching for. Through petrography, Alethea examines materials at the microscopic level — helping explain how concrete behaves, informing decisions tied to durability and performance and contributing to infrastructure that serves communities over the long term.

“My whole life I wanted a career where I felt like I was having a real impact,” she says. “Working in material sciences has given me that — and so much more.”

That impact was recently recognized when Alethea was named a recipient of the ASTM Emerging Professional Award, which honors professionals demonstrating technical excellence, professional engagement and leadership potential within the standards and materials community. Recipients are selected by their peers and invited to take a more active role in ASTM’s standards development — helping shape best practices while continuing to grow as future leaders in the field.

For Alethea, the recognition represents both validation and motivation.

“It’s meaningful to have my work recognized so early in my career,” she says. “It affirms that I’m on the right path and encourages me to keep learning and expanding my expertise.”

Alethea will attend the ASTM June Meeting in Dallas to formally accept the award — an opportunity to connect with peers and continue contributing to the standards community.

Alethea first got involved with ASTM shortly after starting her career in April 2022, having encountered ASTM standards during academic research. She attended her first ASTM conference that same year and sees the organization as a long-term professional home — one where she can stay engaged while contributing to the future of the industry.

Mentorship and hands-on learning have played a meaningful role in her development.

She points to the value of working alongside experienced petrographers who reinforced the importance of curiosity, attention to detail and asking the right questions.

One mentor, in particular, continues to stand out. Jaclyn Ferraro, a senior petrographer at �鶹TV��վ, encouraged Alethea to look beyond narrow definitions of petrography and pursue material science questions that genuinely interested her. That perspective has helped her approach projects with a broader, more multidisciplinary mindset.

Outside of work, Alethea values balance — something she sees as essential in a detail-driven profession. She recharges outdoors through biking, hiking and camping, and she has had a long-standing interest in American Sign Language (ASL). She hopes to one day become a certified ASL interpreter. When she’s not working with materials, she enjoys another creative outlet: cooking — a path she once considered pursuing professionally.

Looking ahead, Alethea is excited about the future of materials science and the role new technologies can play. Her graduate research explored new applications of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to analyze the elemental composition of geologic sediments. She remains interested in how evolving technologies like XRF can expand understanding of materials and support new approaches across the field.

Her biggest ambition, however, is education. Alethea hopes to teach petrography at the university or trade-school level, helping bring awareness of a career path many geology students never encounter.

“There aren’t many petrographers,” she notes — not because of a lack of interest, but because most students simply don’t know the field exists. By bringing petrography into the classroom, she hopes to help others discover the same sense of direction that once changed everything for her.

The Innovative Pedestrian Bridge and Park Will Reconnect Wilmington to Its Waterfront

�鶹TV��վ was selected by the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) to provide construction management services for the Avalon Pedestrian Bridge and Promenade Gateway project.

The project, , aims to enhance pedestrian access and create recreational space in Wilmington, California. When completed, this landmark public access project will connect the Wilmington community to the waterfront at Banning’s Landing Community Center.

“Over the past few years, we have seen Los Angeles make significant investment in Wilmington and its surrounding communities to improve streetscapes and enhance recreational space for its residents,” said �鶹TV��վ Infrastructure Business President Tom Price. “This partnership allows �鶹TV��վ to help POLA improves public access to the city’s waterfront and create meaningful recreational space for the community, while honoring Wilmington’s cultural heritage.”

The project involves building a 1,300-foot cable-stayed pedestrian bridge spanning active rail lines and Water Street, as well as a 12-acre Promenade Gateway park featuring an entry plaza, picnic areas, parking facilities, restrooms, playground facilities, landscaping and other public amenities.

�鶹TV��վ will provide comprehensive construction management services to help deliver this complex, multi-disciplinary project that integrates transportation infrastructure, public open space and community-focused design, all while managing safety, quality, schedule and coordination with ongoing rail operations.

�鶹TV��վ Senior Ecologist Kyle Helal explains why protecting bat habitats during abandoned mine land reclamation is essential, as many legacy mine features create the stable microclimates endangered bat species rely on. This elevates thoughtful planning and mitigation from a regulatory requirement to a cornerstone of long-term ecological conservation.

Did you know Abandoned Mine Land (AML) reclamation is entering a new phase — one that recognizes that old mine openings, highwalls, portals and underground tunnels are not just safety hazards, but rather, important habitats for cave-dwelling bats? These underground spaces often provide stable temperatures and a protected environment bats need to roost and hibernate. As AML programs evolve, more practitioners are pairing traditional remediation work with strategies that protect these unexpected ecological resources and support recovering bat populations.

Underground Microclimates: Small Spaces with Big Ecological Value

Across former mining landscapes, rock outcrops, mine entrances and underground tunnel networks create unique microclimates — stable pockets of cool, consistent air. Bats rely on these areas because temperatures between 38°F and 42°F help them conserve energy through winter hibernation. The design of many abandoned mines naturally supports these conditions.  

Inside mine passages, airflow patterns — driven by pressure differences and chimney-like effects — often produce “cold-sink” zones where temperatures stay low all year. These conditions closely mimic natural caves. As White‑Nose Syndrome, caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, continues to harm bat populations, these colder, deeper zones (below 39.2°F) are becoming even more important. While the fungus thrives in cool environments, it struggles to persist in these colder extremes.  

Going Beyond Basic Compliance

When AML work overlaps with potential bat habitats, projects may be subject to federal laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species Act. The requirements under those laws typically include habitat assessments, species surveys, mine portal evaluations and coordination with regulatory agencies. But many organizations are pushing further, bringing ecological considerations into project planning phases much earlier.

This proactive approach helps teams to potentially avoid costly project redesigns, support long-term conservation and treat abandoned mines not just as hazards to remediate but as ecological assets that require thoughtful stewardship.  

Bat‑Friendly Gates: Protecting Bats While Protecting People

One of the most effective tools for balancing public safety and bat conservation is the installation of bat-friendly gates. Modern gate designs allow air and temperature conditions to remain stable inside the mine while giving bats clear flight paths in and out. These gates also prevent unauthorized human entry and allow researchers to have controlled access through removable bars.

Multiple gate styles, such as basic, flyover, window, chute and cupola systems, provide flexibility for different mine shapes and bat colony sizes, making them a reliable solution at a wide range of sites.

Strengthening Conservation Outcomes Through Thoughtful Planning

Today’s AML projects increasingly prioritize protecting the microclimates and roosting conditions that bats rely on. When ecological knowledge is integrated directly into engineering and compliance processes, it helps safeguard sensitive species, promote stable underground ecosystems, reduce human-driven climate disruptions inside mines and support long-term population continuity. This approach helps to create reclaimed landscapes that are more resilient and ecologically connected.

The future of AML reclamation lies in blending engineering, regulatory strategy and ecological science. By designing closure and mitigation practices that help protect underground microclimates, sustain bat populations and limit disturbance, reclamation practitioners can promote outcomes that protect both people and the ecosystems intertwined with legacy mine features.

�鶹TV��վ continues to align its practices with this integrated model as part of a growing industry-wide shift toward ecological stewardship. Explore how �鶹TV��վ’ strategic reclamation practices protect bat habitats and encourage long-term environmental resilience through innovative, ecologically informed AML solutions.