FirstCarbon Solutions (FCS) has demonstrated a commitment to environmental consulting for nearly 40 years, and 2024 was another year of crucial growth in an ever-evolving industry. Join us in celebrating our 2024 accomplishments.
A Final Glace at 2024
With our eyes focused on the future, we’re proud to acknowledge 2024’s accomplishments and growth. FirstCarbon Solutions (FCS), an ADEC Innovation, is grateful to the clients and partners who have supported and advocated for sustainable solutions, as well as our colleagues who drive our mission, to create positive impact and value, forward. Join us as we look back on a few of FCS’s highlights in 2024.
Grant Writing and Management Services
In 2024, FCS launched an exciting new opportunity with grant writing and management services. Well-managed grants are crucial to many projects, and our in-house team is uniquely trained in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to help turn proposals into completions.
Grant research and writing is a meticulous process, and the details can vary widely from project to project. The FCS grant management team identifies funding opportunities, assesses your eligibility, and crafts compelling proposals that resonate with funding agencies. Our experts research and submit grant proposals and also assist in managing the grant throughout its existence, ensuring all grant regulations and requirements are met.
FCS provided best practices for the grant writing and auditing process through two live webinars in 2024. The first, “How Municipalities Can Benefit from Hiring a Professional Grant Writing Team,” focused on best practices for grant writing, compensation models for grant writers, and the importance of NEPA and CEQA knowledge throughout the grant management process.
The second webinar, “Award to Audit: How to Navigate Grant Management and Compliance Reporting Post-Award,” offered a deep dive into considerations and common challenges organizations face after being awarded grant funding. Participants gained valuable insight into grant management and compliance reporting, including topics such as fiscal management, sub-recipient monitoring, and audit preparation.
Learn more about FCS grant writing and management services and watch the webinar recordings in the links above.
Launch of Arboricultural Services
In addition to grant management services, FCS also announced new arboricultural services as an extension of our existing biological resources management services. With this offering, experienced International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)-certified arborists help clients navigate tree assessments, survey inventories, protection and management plans, project due diligence, tree removal permits, and more, ensuring your project checks all necessary environmental boxes.
Our arboricultural consultants work with you to determine overall tree health and diagnose potential issues, as well as monitor health and safety throughout the construction process. Our team has a thorough understanding of CEQA, NEPA, local, state, and federal guidelines, so you can rest assured your project — and its surrounding trees — are in great hands.
Learn more about FCS’s arboricultural services.
Species Calendar
FCS published an online species calendar tool with an extensive listing of California’s protected species and their respective survey periods. From the burrowing owl to the longhorn fairy shrimp and everything in between, users can view information such as the common and scientific name, ranking, habitat requirements and description, region, and pertinent survey information.
Project developers must determine the appropriate survey period and schedule the survey long before a project begins to meet all requirements for species projection and ensure your project gets off to a smooth start. A survey can even be scheduled with FCS experts directly from the species calendar.
Launch of Sustainable Development Goals Resource
This year, FCS launched a comprehensive guide to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Adopted in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the SDGs serve as a global framework for fostering peace, prosperity, and environmental stewardship. With a focus on creating a sustainable future, the 17 SDGs provide clear, actionable targets for governments, businesses, and organizations worldwide.
FCS’s services actively support nine of these SDGs, helping clients embed sustainability and resilience into their operations while driving measurable progress toward their sustainability goals. The guide not only highlights FCS’s role in strengthening organizational resilience but also showcases innovative compliance and assurance solutions that align with the global sustainability agenda. Project stakeholders can use this resource to explore FCS’s impactful work across the nine SDGs, as well as connect with our team of experts, who provide tailored solutions to balance development objectives with environmental compliance.
Learn how FCS can support your sustainability journey.
Staff Highlights
Several FCS experts were recognized in 2024 for their exceptional leadership and contributions. Notably, Mary Bean and Jason Brandman were promoted to Senior Vice President, and Janna Waligorski and Cecilia So were promoted to Associate Director, each recognition highlighting their dedication to fostering a responsible future.
Mary Bean has successfully led FCS’s services in more than 450 projects and helped expand on-call contracts in California from 21 agencies to 123. One of her many strengths lies in working with cities and municipalities to create plans that help identify, manage, and analyze key metrics to reach sustainability goals and provide transparency to residents and stakeholders. As Senior Vice President, Mary will continue to lead the growth of our staff and organization for years to come.
In addition to being promoted to Senior Vice President, Jason Brandman celebrated his 38th year at FCS. Throughout his career, he has applied his expertise in planning, environmental impact assessment, and public policy analysis to serve major corporations, attorneys, and public agencies across California and the western U.S. Known for his work on responsible development, Jason has built a strong portfolio of projects and is highly regarded as a trusted advisor and mentor in the environmental consulting field.
In February, Janna Waligorski was promoted to Associate Director. In her 16 years working with FCS, Janna has made a significant impact and ongoing contributions to the ES Group and the company as a whole. She provides senior leadership for CEQA documents and development projects throughout California and is a trusted resource for our many clients.
Cecilia So was also promoted to Associate Director this year. With over a decade of experience, Cecilia has led the preparation and management of 300+ projects, specializing in CEQA and NEPA documentation for public and private clients. Known for her solution-focused approach, she ensures thorough, compliant documentation that aligns with client goals. Passionate about impactful and responsible development, Cecilia promotes practices that benefit both the environment and community. Her strong client relationships and collaborative leadership foster high-quality results and drive her team's growth and success.
Join us in congratulating Mary, Jason, Janna, and Cecilia on these accomplishments as we look forward to even more stellar work in 2025 and beyond.
Looking Toward the Future
The past year has been one of exciting growth and wins for our clients, and FCS is showing no signs of slowing down. Despite a year marked by uncertainty of an election cycle, inflation, and rising interest rates—our resilient teams and clients rose to the challenge, delivering exceptional results and creating positive impact. We thank our valued clients, consultants, employees, and partners for their ability to overcome challenges and unearth unique solutions that prioritize responsible development. We look forward to even greater accomplishments for our clients and their communities in 2025 and we hope you will join us for this exciting journey.
