Recap: Wetland Science & Mitigation Webinar Highlights On November 26, 2024, I had the pleasure of joining a panel of esteemed professionals for the Wetland Science & Mitigation Webinar, where we explored critical topics shaping the future of wetland restoration and compliance. It was an honor to share my expertise on wetland mitigation banking alongside such a knowledgeable lineup. For those who couldn’t attend, this blog recaps the key points from my session and provides
Global Environmental Consulting Services Surge Toward $80.76B by 2030: A New Era for Strategic Environmental Solutions The Environmental Consulting Services Market is accelerating rapidly, projected to grow from $56.17 billion in 2025 to $80.76 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.55%. This growth reflects a global shift toward strategic, data-driven, and sustainability-aligned environmental practices. The U.S. Leads with Policy and Private Investment The United States continues to lead growth across the Americas, thanks to a
Upcoming Webinar: Wetland Mitigation Banking in Florida Hosted by the Florida Urban Forestry Council (FUFC) Event Details: 📅 Date: Friday, June 27, 2025 🕛 Time: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM ET 📍 Location: Virtual (Live Webinar via FUFC) 🎙️ Presenter: Victoria K. Bruce, CEO & Founder, The Mitigation Banking Group, Inc. 💻 Registration: FUFC Webinar Registration 💵 Cost: Free for Members to Watch (No CEUs) Members with CEUs – $10 Become an FUFC Member + CEU Access – $30 Non-Member Rate with CEUs – $40 Webinar Overview: Join Victoria K. Bruce of
Proposed Change to “Harm” Definition Could Impact ESA Protections and Conservation Banking As mitigation bankers and conservation professionals, we keep a close watch on federal regulatory changes. A new proposal from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and NOAA Fisheries deserves your full attention. On April 17, 2025, the agencies published a proposed rule to revise the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). If finalized, this change would narrow the circumstances under which habitat modification is considered
April 2025 Regulatory Insights: Navigating the Changing Landscape of Mitigation Banking As we move through the second quarter of 2025, several major regulatory decisions are taking shape, each with the potential to significantly impact how we approach environmental permitting, credit sales, and long-term mitigation banking strategies. I believe staying ahead of these changes is key to protecting your investments and continuing our shared mission of preserving critical ecosystems. Here are four important updates to keep on your radar: 1. Redefining “Waters of
Lake Jesup BMAP Update: What It Means for Florida’s Water Quality As part of our ongoing commitment to clean water and ecosystem restoration, I recently joined environmental experts, regional leaders, and engaged citizens at the March 2025 Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) meeting focused on the restoration of Lake Jesup and surrounding watersheds. At the heart of the discussion was the Lake Jesup BMAP Update, presented by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Division of Environmental Assessment & Restoration, and
Executive Order on Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting Puts Mitigation Banking at Risk On the heels of the recently issued Executive Order on Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting, serious concerns are emerging across the environmental and mitigation banking communities. This sweeping directive mandates that federal agencies—including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Environmental Protection Agency—must assign expiration dates to nearly all environmental regulations unless re-justified and formally extended. What’s at Stake? The Order threatens the very legal
Florida Legislature Advances SB 492/HB 1175: Proposed Updates to Mitigation Banking Regulations UPDATE: As of May 2, 2025: The SB 492 and HB 1175 have passed the legislature and will be headed to the Governor soon. If signed by the Governor, the bill would become effective July 1, 2025. UPDATE: As of April 11, 2025, SB 492 and HB 1175 have passed key committees and continue to move through the legislative process in the Florida Legislature. These proposed bills would introduce
Florida Section 404 Permitting Challenge Moves to Appeals Court: Implications for Wetland Projects and Mitigation Banking At The Mitigation Banking Group, we closely follow legal and regulatory developments that impact wetland permitting in Florida. One of the most significant changes in recent years—the transfer of Section 404 permitting authority from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to the State of Florida—is now under serious legal review. A federal appeals court is scheduled to hear arguments this May in a case that
How Florida’s UMAM Assessment Streamlines Mitigation Banking and Credit Sales At The Mitigation Banking Group, we specialize in helping landowners and developers navigate Florida’s complex wetland mitigation process. A critical tool in this process is the Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method (UMAM) — the state’s standardized approach to evaluating wetland impacts and calculating mitigation needs. UMAM provides a consistent scoring system that assesses wetland function loss from development and determines the number of mitigation credits required to offset those impacts. This ensures that every project complies with Florida’s “no-net-loss
