While Waterborne staff never really have “downtime” from fieldwork, we have switched our philosophy in recent years to think more like this: there are just less-busy or more-busy times of the year, driven by seasonal needs. However, despite our year-round-in-the-field mantra to ensure that engineering systems operate effectively and efficiently and that land areas are maintained, we still celebrate the kick-off of the spring and summer field seasons! It brings an energy, perhaps similar to that of a long-awaited, exciting summer vacation or a grand hiking adventure.

We have already experienced atypical ups and downs from Mother Nature in 2026, and we expect more to come as the predicted El Niño continues to take effect in the coming months. The swing in seasonal temperatures, capturing record highs and lows, has been interesting. Despite the uncertainty, the simple pleasures we look forward to during our field travels are among the best parts of our job. We see both wanted and unwanted creatures despite our best efforts to deter habitation in our systems and to balance environmental control, habitat distribution, safety, research objectives, and data collection. As summer progresses, there will be no shortage of opportunities to interact with nature’s best engineers and habitat builders. We think of this early stage as the calm before the storm – both literally and figuratively.

Most recently, we have spent time at one of our floating wetland research sites. While it is hard to name a favorite location, this one brings a peaceful beauty, paired with a unique research setup that offers multiple benefits. Our latest trip offers a small glimpse of what one of our visits may look like as we arrive and prepare the boat for a day in the wetland.

Other sites may not require a boat, yet other safety and operational protocols take precedence. Whether it is following Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards, standard operating procedures (SOPs), or highway safety protocols for roadside operations, safety is our number one priority.

Simply stated – We love what we do, take every opportunity to do it, and share that expertise and knowledge with our clients, staff, partners, and community. Stay tuned throughout the summer to see more of our travel adventures. Whether on the road for pleasure or work, we are always looking for those moments to connect with people and our environment!