Field-Based Science for Coastal Resilience.

A survey tripod with a GNSS receiver in a grassy field under a partly cloudy sky.
A weather station setup in a grassy field near the ocean with a seagull flying overhead at sunset.

I live and work on the First Coast and have seen firsthand how quickly these shorelines are changing. This work isn’t just a job it is what I care about and what I’ve built my career around. My focus is on collecting accurate, field-based data that gives managers and communities a clear picture of what’s happening on the ground. The goal is simple: provide reliable information that supports better decisions and helps strengthen the long-term resilience of coastal systems.

Field Data You Can Act On

We provide wetland elevation monitoring, shoreline mapping, GNSS surveys, and GIS analysis to deliver precise, field-based data for coastal management and decision-making. From long-term monitoring programs to project-specific assessments, our work is built on consistency, accuracy, and results that stand up to scrutiny.

Built on Observation. Proven in the Field.

Careful observation is the foundation of every project. We take a field-first approach, focusing on accuracy, consistency, and methods that hold up over time. Data collection is carried out using proven protocols and high-precision equipment, with close attention to timing, site conditions, and natural variability. From initial measurements to processing and final deliverables, each step is designed to produce clear, defensible data that managers and scientists can rely on in real-world coastal environments.

Map showing a river or wetland area with numerous red and black dots along the shoreline, a bridge crossing the water, and an inset map of a larger region indicating the location in the United States.
Surveying equipment set up in a grassy field with trees and sky in the background.
A beach scene with a golf cart in the foreground, tire tracks on the sand, the ocean with gentle waves in the background, and a wooden lifeguard tower on stilts with a small house-like structure on top. The sky is clear with some wispy clouds.
A man sitting on a wooden ladder in tall grass or reeds, wearing a baseball cap, sunglasses, and a gray T-shirt, with a scientific instrument attached to the grass.
A man wearing a uniform and cap standing in a marshy area with tall grass and a small shrub, holding a clipboard and looking down at the plant. The background shows water, a shoreline, and distant trees, with a clear blue sky.
Person standing next to a black and pink utility vehicle on a sandy beach with a cloudy sky.

Built on More Than Two Decades in the Field

Over the past five years with the National Park Service’s Southeast Coast Inventory and Monitoring Network, work has centered on wetland elevation monitoring, shoreline change analysis, and high-precision GNSS surveys across eight coastal parks spanning from North Carolina to Central Florida. During this time, the wetland elevation monitoring program was reestablished and expanded, improving long-term consistency, data quality, and overall usability across multiple park units. Responsibilities included the installation, routine measurement, and thorough analysis of surface elevation tables (SETs), supporting critical assessments of wetland stability, sediment dynamics, and resilience to sea level rise. In parallel, shoreline monitoring protocols were refined and implemented to strengthen field methods, spatial accuracy, and the development of long-term coastal change datasets. This work supports management decisions in some of the Southeast’s most dynamic and vulnerable coastal environments, where reliable, repeatable field data is essential for adaptive stewardship and planning.

Prior to joining the National Park Service, 18 years were spent with the U.S. Geological Survey, building a strong foundation in field-based science, environmental monitoring, and applied coastal research. Across more than two decades of federal service, the professional focus has remained the same: producing accurate, defensible data and analyses that support informed decisions in complex, changing coastal systems.

Rescue team members wearing life jackets and helmets on a boat, navigating through a flooded street with houses and trees partially submerged.
A man smiling in a grassy wetland holding a long pole, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, a blue shirt, and muddy pants.
A man in an orange shirt, dark sunglasses, and cap stands in a marshy wetland with tall grass, holding a scientific instrument on a pole. The sky is partly cloudy, and there is open water and distant trees in the background.
Two men in outdoor gear are smiling and shaking hands in a marshy area near a body of water under a clear blue sky. One man wears sunglasses and a beige cap, the other is also wearing sunglasses.

Let’s Discuss Your Project

Whether supporting wetland elevation monitoring, shoreline change analysis, or GNSS-based field surveys, every project begins with understanding the site, objectives, and data needs. First Coast Ecological Services delivers accurate, field-based data designed to support real-world coastal management and research.