DCR Publishes New Guidance - Resource Protection Areas: Nontidal Wetlands
Click [Here] for a copy of this Guidance
WEG Team Receives Merit Award from USGBC
The James River Green Building Council awarded a $10,000 building grant and seven awards to projects in central Virginia that support principles of sustainability.
The council is a regional chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council aimed at promoting awareness of energy efficient and sustainable development. The Poquoson Elementary School project, designed by VMDO Architects, won the Merit Award and WEG was honored to be an environmental consultant this project. WEG's primary work was with tidal wetland mitigation and sustainable landscape design.
WEG Named to the Aggie 100
Recently, W EG was named to The Aggie 100, which identifies, recognizes and celebrates the 100 fastest growing Aggie-owned or Aggie-led businesses in the world. Founding Principal/President, Ronald J. Boyd, is a proud Aggie graduate, and attended the ceremony in late Fall. “It is really a team effort; we are surrounded by good people” commented Boyd, when asked about the award.
The 2006 edition of the Aggie 100 was announced Friday, October 13 at ceremonies on Texas A&M's College Station campus. The 100 fastest growing Aggie-owned or Aggie-led companies in the world were honored at a luncheon attended by over 600 people. A&M leadership, students and business community representatives joined in the celebration to honor the first ever Aggie 100.
Cumulatively, Aggie 100 firms have more than 17,000 employees and revenues in excess of $3.3 billion in 2004. Williamsburg Environmental Group, Inc. has contributed to this number significantly and has grown by leaps and bounds these past few years – which immediately made them a contender for the running.
"The Aggie 100 is another unique feature of Texas A&M. In addition to honoring deserving graduates, the program provides a forum for today's students to interact with and learn from successful business people," said Robert M. Gates, president, Texas A&M University. "We are proud of our former students and appreciate their willingness to give back to the university that gave them a start in their career. I'll be excited to see the list in future years as today's students put these lessons into practice." Boyd mixed and mingled at the ceremony with past and present Aggie students, and was honored to meet with the Dean of the College of Geosciences, Atmospheric Science to discuss WEG’s award.
WEG Receives PREP Award from the USEPA for Excellence in Low Impact Development
 Williamsburg Environmental Group, Inc. (WEG) was recently awarded one of the inaugural PREP (Policy, Research, Education, Partnerships) awards for Low Impact Development. The award program was developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. The program was developed to recognize leadership, innovation and excellence in low impact development practices which help to reduce the volume and rate of runoff and improve water quality. “We are so honored and proud to receive such a prestigious award,” said WEG Principal Ron Boyd, P.E. WEG was the only consultant recognized in the first round of awards.
Previously, many jurisdictions relied primarily on conventional engineered stormwater techniques, such as detention basins and wet ponds to collect stormwater. More recently, developers and consultants, government agencies, and watershed groups have placed more focus on innovative LID techniques that are more reliant upon the natural filtering capacity of landscaped areas. The practices involved in low impact development include a more varied array of controls such as rain gardens, reduction of impervious cover, permeable pavements, engineered soils, roof runoff management, and directing stormwater across lawns and gardens to reduce overall runoff and irrigation needs.
Williamsburg Environmental Group, Inc. (WEG) has been leading the way for the implementation of sustainable/conservation design techniques and LID techniques. Project team members have assisted clients in the public and private sector in developing sustainable site designs and stormwater management approaches which minimize the generation of runoff and provide full-spectrum hydrologic control and treatment.
WEG is also a recognized leader in incorporating LID practices into stormwater master plans. WEG staff members have worked on over 30 projects throughout Virginia incorporating low impact development concepts and/or designs. The application of LID techniques in a master plan setting provides a better framework for evaluating physical constraints and land planning factors to ensure a well-thought out, cost-effective application of LID practices.
Career Day at Lee Hill Elementary Sparks Students' Interest
On April 7th one of WEG's Ecologists in the Fredericksburg office participated in Career Day at Lee Hill Elementary in Spotsylvania County. He represented WEG Ecology department and provided a presentation to numerous second grade classes. Other professionals to participate included an FBI agent, interior designer, and lawyer among others. Key components of the presentation included a brief overview of what the Ecology staff responsibilities are at WEG, a brief overview of wetland ecology, a “show and tell” session, and a final Q&A session. The kids seemed very interested in the presentation and particularly fascinated with the idea of working primarily outdoors as opposed to in an office the majority of the time. Field equipment and tools were brought in order to pass around as well as a few plant samples that had been recently collected in the field. This “show and tell” session sparked quite a few questions and an obvious fascination with the idea of spending a workday outside in the woods. " I was inspired by all the thoughtful responses to the questions I had for the students and by all their interest projected in their questions for me," commented the speaker.
LID Retrofit Environmental Excellence Award for Construction
 In conjunction with The Northern Neck Planning District Commission (NNPDC), Williamsburg Environmental Group, Inc. (WEG) received the Ecological Excellence Award for Construction, sponsored by the Virginia Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society. WEG assisted The NNPDC in developing the project concept, preparing the grant application, designing of the proposed retrofits, bidding assistance, and assistance with construction inspection, development of project signage, and participated in a training/educational seminar on LID retrofit measures. The project was completed on time and under budget.
At the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Annual Winter Meeting, W. Douglas Beisch, P.E. and Daniel Malone of WEG, along with NNPDC representatives, were there to accept the award. “It’s been an exciting project for WEG these past months and we are very proud to have The NNPDC and WEG's hard work recognized in such a way,” commented Beisch.
Pictured in the photo from left to right: Phillip McClellan, MapTech, Inc. - President of the Soil and Water Conservation Society; Stuart L. McKenzie, Environmental Planner, Northern Neck Planning District Commission; Jerry W. Davis, AICP, Executive Director, Northern Neck Planning District Commission; W. Douglas Beisch, Jr., P.E, Sr. Water Resource Engineer, Williamsburg Environmental Group, Inc.;
Daniel L. Malone, Environmental Planner I, Williamsburg Environmental Group, Inc.;
Deb Phares, Pinelands Nursery, Toano, Virginia
Hurricane
Katrina Relief Effort
 Through
its efforts with the Red Cross, Williamsburg Environmental
Group, Inc. has offered its emotional and financial support
to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. We are proud to say that
our employees have pulled together to raise a considerable
amount of financial aid for the Relief Effort. Through the
Fundraiser Matching Program, set up by the owners, over
$6,000 will be donated. "It's so rewarding to know that our
contributions will benefit those that have suffered so greatly," said principal and owner Ronald J. Boyd. Ideas have also been
presented about having WEG employees travel to the devastated
areas to perform necessary environmental services that would
help to speed up the process of rebuilding the cities.
Salvation Army "Sponsor a Family for Christmas"
 For the past 15 years Williamsburg Environmental Group, Inc. has sponsored a family for the Holiday Season! WEG Employees voluntarily purchase food, clothing and toys for the family in need, gift wrap them and deliver them to the local Salvation Army office. The families typically have 4-6 deserving children who are showered with fun toys and surprises from their very own 'Santa'. In the past, WEG as a whole has sponsored one family; however, due to our increasing size, we will be able to sponsor four families this year. Each branch office will bring Christmas spirit to one family in need. "We are very excited about being able to help so many families this year," commented WEG's owner/principal, Mike Kelly. "We only wish we could do more!"
WEG knows that there is no greater joy than that of caring and sharing with those in need. In this way, we can ensure that the true meaning of Christmas is not forgotten. For more information please contact your local Salvation Army or visit them online at www.salvationarmyusa.org - your kindness will never be forgotten!
Heritage
Humane Society
 WEG
is truly dedicated to helping animals. Recently, at the Bark
in the Park event, one of WEG's own pooches was selected to
be the Bark in the Park Mascot for 2006! Gypsy (owned by one
of WEG's employees) will represent all adopted animals,
while another local pup will represent animals adopted from
the Heritage Humane Society. A likeness of each dog will be
used on all advertising for the 6 th Annual Bark in the Park,
scheduled for April 29, 2006 at the Ford's Colony Swim/Tennis
Club. She represents the resiliency of animals and their ability
to forgive. All it takes is a little bit of love!
It
is in this spirit of caring for animals that WEG continually
has a "snack bar fund" set up for employees to donate money
for the purpose of helping our four-legged friends! 100% of
the revenue generated from this fundraiser is donated to the
local Heritage Humane Society. We are hopeful that there will
come a day when the dream of every animal having a loving
home will be realized.
For more information, please visit
the humane society's website at: www.heritagehumanesociety.com
Relay For
Life
 The
effects of cancer have touched many of our lives through friends
and family who have battled this disease. Some have been successful
in their battle, but too many have not. Across America people
share a common dream that the day will come when cancer will
not defeat but will finally be defeated.
Williamsburg
Environmental Group, Inc. has participated in the annual Relay
for Life event for the past 5 years. Our employees work hard
to raise awareness and money all year round through fundraisers
such as car washes, silent auctions, picnics and candy sales.
In addition to these company sponsored events, WEG employees
participate in the event itself: a twelve-hour relay around
a track. The track is filled with people walking with only
the light from hundreds of luminaries lit in honor of cancer
survivors and in memory of loved ones who fought their battle.
The WEG team designates one member per hour to walk the relay.
No matter the conditions we have someone walking at all times.
This past year, WEG collectively raised over $3,000 for the cause!
It
is a very important part of our local community and we are
proud to say that with each passing year, our contributions
have continued to grow and grow. For more information on the event, please visit their website at: www.cancer.org
[Return
to Top]
WEG eNewsflash
2007
2006
2005
[Return to Top] |
