Session Spotlight: Drone Technology in Environmental Workflows

Far from droning on, this exciting TCEPC Day 2 session promises an engaging and interactive look at drone technology. Join us Wednesday, September 15th at 11:00 am, CDT to tune in!

The use of drones as tools for streamlining environmental workflows is growing exponentially as more and more organizations realize the increasing benefits. Drones can offer a safer and quicker option for performing many of the environmental requirements that project teams routinely face including LiDAR data, Thermal Imaging and 3D site modeling. The project types range from Wetland Mitigation Banking, to site mapping for permitting, to thermal studies on the bat hibernacula and the effect of hot water releases on the fish population. On a wider scale, drones have been incorporated to monitor daily changes for environmental cleanup on spill sites. The point clouds and 3D surfaces created from the drone data help accurately calculate volumes of excavation in impacted areas as well as monitor the amount of clean backfill. These are all innovative uses of drone technology that go far beyond wildlife monitoring and nest health studies.

 

Featuring Speakers:

Brooke Hines, Drone Pilot | Project Manager
Burns & McDonnell

Brooke Hines is a UAS pilot and an environmental project manager with extensive experience in ESA Section 7 consultation, NEPA documentation, CWA coordination and federal, state, and municipality environmental permitting. She is a technical lead for effects analysis on listed bat species, bat habitat assessments, bat presence/absence surveys, and federal and state species-specific studies. Brooke is co-author of acoustic publications focusing on presence/absence methodology and has worked on oil and gas projects throughout the U.S. Brooke’s background focuses on endangered species assessments, impacts analysis, and mitigation strategies. She has authored hundreds of biological assessments and environmental assessments for projects throughout the U.S.

Nathan Kilgore, Drone Pilot / Senior Geologist
Burns & McDonnell

Mr. Kilgore serves as the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Program Manager for Burns & McDonnell including 17 years as Geologist for Burns & McDonnell specializing in 3D Mapping and UAS solutions. His vast experience includes the administration of UAS technology to support large emergency response incidents as well as complex construction and design projects. Mr. Kilgore is licensed as a Professional Geoscientist (PG) in the State of Louisiana. Mr. Kilgore is also certified as a Private Pilot and Small Unmanned Aerial Systems Pilot under the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

 

Session Learning Objective

Understanding unique permitting and field challenges and how to effectively apply drone technology to achieve agency approvals.

 

Who Should Attend

Regulators, Clients, Consulting Staff

 

Join us to learn what drone technology can do for your company’s environmental workflow.

Register today to save your seat!