ESA
Environmental Design & Engineering
Environmental Science Associates, or ESA, is a 100% employee-owned consulting firm that integrates rigorous science with environmental planning and engineering. The firm’s interdisciplinary team of environmental scientists, planners, and designers partners with clients and communities on sustainable, resilient, and equitable projects that shape a better world. ESA guides clients through policy development and project planning, to deliver enduring multi-objective solutions.
“The region is such a beautiful place, with a long history of passionate people interested in preserving it despite the relentless development pressure. It’s also a hotbed of innovation, not just in software packaging but also in the environment space. Bay Area thought leaders are helping make nature-based solutions a big part of our response to climate change.”
Jeff Caton, ESA
The Port of San Francisco invested in this remnant urban marsh protecting its waterfront by placing coarse gravel in such a way as to build a buffering beach. Photo: ESA
About ESA
Headquartered in San Francisco, ESA has over 20 offices across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southeastern United States. ESA assists clients from the earliest phases of project conception, through the environmental review and regulatory approval process, and on to project implementation.
The firm, founded in 1969, includes scientists, planners, biologists, archaeologists, engineers, designers, and technical specialists. Clients range from government agencies to nonprofit organizations to private industry. ESA has long pioneered innovative approaches to climate change—working with communities to plan for and directly address impacts, and to protect people and resources from rising sea levels, coastal erosion, flooding and wildfire hazards, increased heat and drought, and more.
Recent Clients
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Department of Water Resources
- Metropolitan Transportation Commission
- Caltrans
- East Bay Regional Park District
- Santa Clara Valley Water District
- San Franciso Public Utilities Commission
- California State Coastal Conservancy
- Port of San Francisco
- Marin Audubon Society
- Marin County
- Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District
- Army Corps of Engineers
Bay Area & California Resilience Projects
- Climate Action Plan, City of Richmond
- Heron’s Head Shoreline Resilience Project, San Francisco
- Tiscornia Marsh Tidal Habitat Restoration, San Rafael
- Ocean Beach Master Plan, San Francisco
- State Route 37 Ultimate Sea Level Rise Resilience Design, Napa and Sonoma
- Hamilton and Bel Marin Keys Wetlands Restoration Project, Novato
- Crissy Field Coastal Lagoon Restoration, San Francisco
- South Bay Salt Ponds Restoration Project
- Giant Marsh Living Shoreline Project, Point Pinole
- Lower Walnut Creek Restoration Project, Martinez
- Surfer’s Point Managed Retreat in Ventura County
Bothin Marsh Adaptation & Trails Project, Mill Valley, CA
A Marin County prototype for adapting to sea level rise using nature-based strategies. These strategies allow the shoreline to evolve while restoring wetlands and providing recreational access.
Estuary Park Renovation & Expansion Project, Oakland, CA
Redesigning a historic park to accommodate a growing local population from the rapidly developing adjacent neighborhood, while also responding to climate-related challenges including sea level rise.
Lake Merritt Park Master Plan & Projects, Oakland, CA
Implementation of the master plan has proved successful in improving the natural conditions in and around the lake, and the recreational and social functions of park amenities.
San Francisco Bay Trail Risk Assessment & Adaptation Priority Plan, Alameda & Contra Costa Counties, CA
The Plan identifies key locations where nature-based approaches to shoreline adaptation will provide community benefits, and where East Bay Parks and partners will continue to develop and implement recommendations through community engagement processes.
Key Contacts
- Jeff Caton, Director, Climate Planning Services
- Michelle Orr, PE, Environmental Engineer/Wetlands & Estuaries Director
- Eddie Divita, PE, Coastal Engineer
Firm Details
- ESA
575 Market Street, Suite 3700
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 896-5900
