Fisher Associates PE, LS, LA, DPC

It's Bat Week! As we celebrate these vital creatures, we're also sharing important updates on regulatory changes affecting the Northern Long-Eared Bat (NLEB) and Tricolored Bat (TCB). With the USFWS's recent final rule reclassifying the NLEB as endangered and listing the TCB as endangered under the ESA, it’s crucial for stakeholders to stay informed on compliance requirements. Fisher Associates is here to help you navigate these changes and ensure your projects remain compliant. If you have questions or need assistance, reach out to @Brook Bertig-Coll today. Let's work together to protect these species and support your projects! Follow the link to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gqYmQ8Fz #HappyBatWeek #EndangeredSpecies 

Several members of our Landscape Architecture Studio recently joined the NY Upstate ASLA 2024 Walk & Talk Series: Roots in Motion, with a visit to the beautiful South Hill Cider orchard in Ithaca, NY. The tour provided a unique opportunity to connect with fellow landscape architects and explore how thoughtful design, cultivation, and land stewardship impact both the flavor of hard cider and the overall visitor experience. Nestled beside the Thayer Nature Preserve and the Finger Lakes Trail, this organic orchard thrives as part of a diverse and sustainable ecosystem. The event concluded with a social hour featuring South Hill Cider and charcuterie. Shoutout to James Fruechtl, RLA (NY Upstate ASLA Southern Section Chair) for coordinating the event! #FisherAssociatesLandscapeArchitecture

On October 5th, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection published the final Erosion and Sediment Control General Permit-4 (ESCGP-4) for Earth Disturbance Associated with Oil and Gas Exploration, Producing, Processing or Treatment Operations or Transmission Facilities; this replaces the ESCGP-3, which will no longer be accepted. This permit is critical for oil and gas projects which involve five or more acres of earth disturbance. Issued under Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law, it establishes regulatory requirements to manage erosion, sedimentation, and stormwater during the life of a project. Navigating this process can be complex, but Fisher Associates is here to provide expert support. For more information, read more and connect with Brook Bertig-Coll, Fisher's Director of Environmental: https://lnkd.in/gXm5-i2H. #FisherAssociatesEnvironmental #FisherAssociatesEnergy #Permitting 

As we continue to celebrate 40 years of excellence at Fisher Associates, we’re excited to highlight our work on the Penn Yan Bike-Ped Connections project. This project underscores our commitment to enhancing community connectivity and safety, creating improvements that elevate the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. In honor of Pedestrian Safety Month this October, we emphasize the importance of building safe, accessible infrastructure to support secure, pedestrian-friendly environments. Penn Yan was experiencing increased demand for pedestrian and bike connectivity between downtown and Keuka Lake. The Keuka Outlet Trail, a vital link between these areas, had been hampered by deteriorating infrastructure, including two key bridges. Our team replaced the first 175-foot pedestrian bridge, improving safety and access with a 10-foot-wide ADA-compliant walkway. The second 108-foot bridge now connects Water Street with the trail, restoring key pedestrian access points. Throughout the project, we addressed environmental challenges and managed potential impacts on the outlet’s ecosystem. In addition to the new bridges, we extended the trail and added new sidewalks, enhancing community linkages and contributing to the area’s environmental and flood resilience. This project not only restored crucial connections but also highlights our growth into a multi-disciplinary firm offering solutions across transportation, structural, and environmental services. Here’s to 40 years of growth, innovation, and serving our communities with pride! #PennYan #BikePedConnections #40YearsOfFisher #FisherAssociates #40YearsOfService #40YearAnniversary

At Fisher, we embody our Core Values each and every day. They are not simply words on the wall, but living principles that guide our daily interactions. Our Big Fish Award recognizes employees who consistently exemplify these guiding company principles in executing their daily work, creating powerful experiences internally among their colleagues and externally for our clients. Nominated by their peers, Fisher employees are selected quarterly for this award.  For the third quarter, we recognized employees who exemplify our Core Value of Own Our Results. This value reflects taking full responsibility for the outcomes of our work, the experiences we create for our clients, and the environment we foster within the firm. Whether in direct contact with clients or working behind the scenes, these individuals understand that their efforts—and the collective efforts of their team—directly contribute to the success of our firm. They set the standard for creating great experiences for themselves and others. We are proud to announce the third-quarter recipients of the Big Fish Award: Rhonda Hares, Carolina Castro, EIT, James Fruechtl, and John Galeotafiore. Join us in congratulating our “Big Fish” on this well-deserved honor!’    #FisherFamily #BigFishAward #FisherAssociates 

This past weekend, a group of employees from our Rochester office, along with their family members, volunteered to make beds for Sleep in Heavenly Peace. During our two-hour shift, we helped build over 60 beds for children in need of a comfortable place to sleep.    A huge shoutout to our amazing volunteers: Jorge De La Fuente, Dana White, PE (Ben Wolfing), Michael Bogardus, L.S. (Amy Bogardus), Christina Ajavananda (JR Ajavananda), Roseann (Bills) Schmid, P.E. (Tim Schmid), and Sherry Rettew, SPHR (Kent Davis).    We had a fantastic time working together for a great cause and look forward to hosting more volunteer opportunities like this as part of our Community Impact Committee initiatives.     #FisherAssociates #CommunityImpact #GivingBack #SleepInHeavenlyPeace #Volunteering

Congratulations to Emily Smith, PE, our Vice President and Director of Transportation, on being selected to serve on the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) National Business Resources & Education Committee! This committee plays a vital role in shaping educational programs for the engineering industry, and Emily’s involvement will help advance ACEC’s initiatives, including professional licensure, leadership programs, and young professional development. We are proud of Emily’s dedication to driving education and business excellence in our field. Well deserved!    #Leadership #EngineeringExcellence #ACEC #ProfessionalDevelopment #Congratulations 

🌟 Planner Spotlight: Simon Donkoh 🌟 Our third highlight for National Community Planning Month is Simon Donkoh, a Planner I based in our Rochester, NY office. Simon recently earned his Master of Community Planning from the University of Cincinnati and holds a BS in Development Planning from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana. Before joining Fisher, Simon contributed to urban redevelopment projects, infrastructure improvements, and affordable housing initiatives. His efforts in fostering public and private partnerships to support local businesses and enhance community development speak to his commitment to creating sustainable, vibrant communities. At Fisher, Simon’s expertise in urban planning, public outreach, comprehensive planning, grant writing, and placemaking ensures that every project he touches is designed with community well-being in mind.  Simon shared his passion for urban planning, saying: "I’m passionate about engaging with communities to understand their needs. It’s rewarding to see plans shaped by community input come to life and make a tangible difference. There’s a real sense of joy in being part of shaping places that improve lives, making cities more inclusive, sustainable, and livable for future generations." #CommunityPlanningMonth #PlannerSpotlight #FisherAssociatesPlanning #UrbanPlanning

Congratulations to the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on the release of the draft Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) Study for the Interstate 787 corridor! This milestone marks a significant step forward in reimagining the I-787 corridor to address transportation needs, reconnect communities, and enhance access to the Hudson River waterfront. Fisher Associates is excited to be supporting this transformative project, leading landscape architecture and urban design. Our work has focused on alternative concepts, alignments, and streetscape improvements that incorporate bicycle and pedestrian design, as well as complete streets principles. As one of the key community outreach facilitators, our team has participated in public open houses, stakeholder meetings, and pop-up events to engage the community. We’ve also developed a comprehensive portfolio of project graphics to enhance public understanding and generate support for the project. We look forward to continuing our work with NYSDOT and FHWA to help bring their vision to life, creating a more connected and vibrant future for the Capital Region. #TransportationPlanning #Infrastructure #LandscapeArchitecture #PELStudy #CommunityEngagement #CapitalRegion

🌟 Planner Spotlight: Sarah Martin, AICP 🌟    Our second highlight for National Community Planning Month is Sarah Martin, AICP, an urban planner based in our Rochester, NY office. Sarah has a strong foundation in environmental science, land use planning, and historic preservation.    Sarah holds a Master of Urban Planning from the University at Buffalo and a B.S. in Environmental Science from SUNY Binghamton. Before joining Fisher, she analyzed brownfield properties, bringing valuable experience in zoning, site redevelopment, and environmental due diligence.    Her expertise extends to mapping site layouts, historic preservation planning, and leading public presentations, making her an integral part of our team. Sarah’s ability to handle complex projects and her dedication to sustainability contribute significantly to our mission of fostering vibrant communities.    When asked for advice for those considering a career in planning, Sarah said, “If you’re thinking of a career in planning, I would encourage you to talk to planners in all types of roles! Planning covers transportation, natural resources, historic preservation, and more, and you can find jobs that focus on all of these elements or that focus on certain specialties. Find what your passion is and pursue it!”    #CommunityPlanningMonth #PlannerSpotlight #FisherAssociatesPlanning #UrbanPlanning #EnvironmentalPlanning #PlanningMonth