Environmental Services

Apogee specializes in environmental compliance surveys and services within the United States. Apogee biologists and scientists have extensive experience in completing a variety of endangered species surveys, wetland delineations, and ecological mitigations on time and on budget for clients. Key staff meets the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s standards in the fields of mammalogy, ornithology (birds), botany, herpetology, entomology (insects), and malacology (mussels, snails and slugs).

Bat Surveys

Apogee ecologists have extensive experience with the endangered bats of the eastern United States, including the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus t. virginianus), and the gray bat (Myotis grisescens). Our ecologist have conducted many projects using sampling techniques that include mist netting, harp trapping, and acoustical bat detectors. Apogee often collects foraging data to determine the relative home range of individual bats. Additionally, we conduct winter census surveys for hibernating bats including endangered species.

We also have a strong background in the identification of tree species used by bats and have completed numerous habitat assessments for the Indiana bat and northern long-eared bat throughout the eastern United States. Apogee specializes in complex projects that can span multiple states and requires coordination with multiple state and federal agencies.

Avian Surveys

Apogee’s ecology team is highly experienced in conducting various avian surveys including but not limited to: migration surveys, breeding bird surveys (BBS), population inventory, presence/absence surveys, nest surveys & monitoring, and habitat assessments.

Bee Surveys

The rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) is a native bumble bee species and was once common and distributed throughout the east and upper Midwest of the United States. However, several factors, such as the accidental spread of pests and diseases by the commercial bumble bee industry, habitat destruction or alteration, pesticides, invasive species, natural pest or predator population cycles, and climate change are believed to have played a role in its decline from much of its historic range in recent years. After a petition filed in 2013 to list the species as endangered, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) finalized the ruling and gave the rusty patched bumble bee endangered status under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as of January 2017.

Aquatic Ecology Services

Apogee has an experienced aquatic ecology staff capable of providing a broad array of aquatic services, including benthic macroinvertebrate sampling and identification, stream habitat assessments, and freshwater fish and mussel surveys.

Our ecologists are knowledgeable in the identiﬁcation of aquatic organisms including threatened and endangered species and are experienced in the methodologies applied in aquatic ecological studies. Our senior aquatic ecologist is certified by the Society for Freshwater Science (SFS; formally NABS) to identify Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT), and Chironomidae to the genus level. We have an extensive variety of equipment used for aquatic sampling including backpack electroshockers, seins, macroinvertebrate sampling equipment, boats and SCUBA equipment.

Botanical Surveys

Our ecologists have surveyed for federally listed species such as the small whorled pogonia (Isotria medioloides), Virginia spirea (Spirea virginiana), running buffalo clover (Trifolium stoloniferum) and Price’s potato bean (Apios priceana).

Stream Monitoring

Projects that involve the discharge of dredge or fill materials into waters of the United States, including wetlands, are regulated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) under Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act of 1972.

Apogee conducts stream monitoring on surface and ground waters when the proposed projects may affect jurisdictional waters. Stream monitoring may consist of stream habitat assessments, macroinvertebrate sampling, fish surveys, and physiochemical water monitoring. Our ecologists have conducted numerous stream monitoring projects and are knowledgeable in all facets of the methodologies required by regulatory agencies.

Wetland Delineations

Apogee provides a multi-disciplinary team to provide a full range of wetland delineation services to our clients. ur team of delineation scientists are well versed in USACE-recommended wetland delineation techniques, Midwest and mid-Atlantic woody and herbaceous plant identification, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) soil classifications, GIS mapping, GPS operation, and state and federal Clean Water Act-related permits. With our staff of scientists, Apogee is capable of providing cutting edge services to our clients that include delineations, permitting and mitigation.

Stream/Wetland Services Spotlight:

Jurisdictional determination
Surveying and mapping
401/404 permitting
Restoration and mitigation design
Construction supervision
Success monitoring
Invasive/Exotic species management
Wetland banking economic consultation
Plant material installation
Functional assessments
Treatment wetland design
Water quality testing
Geomorphic stability assessment
Sediment transport evaluation
Bank erosion hazard assessment
Natural channel design
Biological monitoring

Terrestrial Ecology Surveys

Apogee routinely completes terrestrial ecology surveys in a variety of habitats. Our team is composed of several ecologists recognized in the scientific community as experts in mammalogy, ornithology, botany, herpetology, entomology, and malacology.

Past projects range from seasonal regulatory compliance surveys to long-term multi-taxa inventories. Additionally, we have designed and implemented delineation studies used to map the range and extent of habitat for endangered and/or threatened species.

The data we collect is used for a variety of purposes including presence/absence surveys, baseline inventory data, impact assessment, and post-impact monitoring. We have conducted ecological inventories for a number of clients including the energy industry (wind, solar, coal, and oil & gas), Department of Defense, U.S. Forest Service, departments of transportation, National Park Service, state and county parks, utilities, and engineering ﬁrms.