Earth Day 2024: Highlighting our Environmental Professionals

By Ms. Lara E. Beasley, USACE Environmental Division chiefApril 22, 2024

Earth Day 2024: Highlighting our Environmental Professionals
Protecting and preserving our environment is an enduring mission for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. More than 10% of our workforce specializes in environmental disciplines, working alongside the rest of our diverse team to shape a sustainable future for present and upcoming generations. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) VIEW ORIGINAL

Today, we join our global community in the celebration of Earth Day. During this time, we often focus on the actions being taken to shape a sustainable future, but this year I want to focus on the people behind these actions.

As Environmental Division chief for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, not only do I oversee the annual execution of around $2.5 billion of environmental compliance and cleanup work across the enterprise, but I also serve as the Environmental Community of Practice chief. In this position, I champion our more than 4,000 environmental professionals who specialize in diverse environmental disciplines within USACE.

These are our teammates who work across our military, civil works and research and development programs in jobs that are uniquely focused on our environment. These are our health physicists, environmental engineers, biologists, ecologists, physical scientists, geologists and so many others who make up over 10% of our workforce.

But our strength in supporting our environmental mission extends far beyond this 10%. This is just a small number compared to how many different disciplines support our diverse and enduring environmental mission — which overlaps all that we do. Every project delivery team member is supporting efforts that have a direct impact on our environment. All our engineers, scientists, specialists, technicians, attorneys, assistants — everyone within USACE plays a role in delivering engineering solutions that shape our environment, our nation and our planet.

The environment is everywhere and so is our team of more than 38,000 dedicated professionals who are putting in the work each and every day to secure a sustainable future for current and upcoming generations.

  • In honor of Earth Day, we prepared an infographic that provides a snapshot of the diverse environmental disciplines within USACE. You can view the infographic here.
  • We also prepared an Earth Day StrongPoint that connects the work we do across USACE to our environmental mission. You can view the StrongPoint here.

Environmental stewardship is ingrained in our culture here at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It is indoctrinated through our Environmental Operating Principles and illustrated through the many actions being taken across the enterprise. Through our collective efforts, and alongside our partners, we will continue to protect and preserve our environment and shape a sustainable future for not just ourselves, but for every species that inhabits our planet.