Emerging environmental professionals often ask the same big questions: How do I navigate my career path? What paths are possible? How do I grow into the professional I want to become? In this special session hosted by the National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP) Emerging Professionals Working Group, attendees will hear candid career stories from a panel of three environmental practitioners representing diverse backgrounds, sectors, and trajectories.
Through an engaging, conversational panel format, speakers will reflect on the experiences that shaped their careers—from pivotal projects and unexpected opportunities to challenges faced and lessons learned along the way. Panelists will discuss strategies for building skills, finding mentors, identifying your professional niche, and adapting to a constantly evolving environmental field. Attendees will gain practical guidance and inspiration to support their own career development, along with insights into the many pathways available within environmental planning, policy, consulting, and beyond.
This session is designed for students, early- to mid-career practitioners, and anyone exploring growth opportunities in the environmental profession. Join us for an open, encouraging conversation that highlights real stories, honest reflections, and actionable advice to chart your path forward.
Moderator - Fred Wagner, NAEP Elected At-Large Board Member Principal Environmental Advisor Jacobs
Speakers - P.E. "Pam" Hudson, Esq., Attorney. Federal Aviation Administration Charles P. Nicholson, PhD, Senior Environmental Planner/Scientist, HDR Melanie Hernandez, Esq., CEP, Environmental Attorney, Scout
About
This webinar will mirror the 2024 Case Law presentation provided during the recent NAEP 2025 Conference & Training Symposium, with updates as warranted. The panel will give an overview of NEPA cases decided by the U.S. Courts of Appeals during 2024, including trends in where the cases are heard, the agencies involved, and the issues being challenged. The panel will then discuss several of the more notable cases in detail, their substantive findings, and potential lessons learned. While the focus will be on cases decided in 2024, the panel will provide some perspective on those opinions in light of developments during 2025, including the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colorado, 605 U.S. ---, 145 S.Ct. 1497 (2025), the notable Supreme Court case, and the recission of CEQ NEPA regulations.
Regulatory Request System (RRS) for Streamlined Permitting
Friday, August 8
Moderator - Ward Marotti, Director: Land and Water Resources, Spangler Environmental, Inc.
Speaker - David "Dave" Shaeffer, Geospatial Applications Developer, Cartographer, Geomorphologist, Wetland Biologist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
About
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) invites the public and environmental professionals to use the Regulatory Request System (RRS)—a modern, web-based platform launched in January 2024 to simplify and expedite the permitting process. RRS offers a more transparent, consistent, efficient, and user-friendly experience for submitting permit requests and interacting with Regulatory offices.
In the summer of 2025, the South Atlantic Regulatory Division will fully transition to using the RRS as the exclusive method for electronically submitting requests. This shift aims to increase the volume of submissions through the RRS and to facilitate the swift implementation of a Presidential Executive Order that mandates the move to an electronic-based application process. For more details, see the Executive Order.
Key Benefits of RRS Include:
Eliminates paper forms – Submit applications, pre-construction notifications, and jurisdictional determination requests entirely online.
Built-in data validation – Ensures all required fields are completed, helping reduce delays from incomplete submissions.
Real-time communication tools – Receive automatic email updates and track your request through an interactive dashboard.
Draft and share capability – Begin a request, save it as a draft, and easily share it with team members or clients before final submission.
Centralized access to resources – Find guidance documents and educational information on the Regulatory Program in one place.
Reduced internal data entry – Allows project managers to focus on permit evaluation rather than administrative and data entry tasks.
Live Help Desk support – Access timely assistance from knowledgeable staff for troubleshooting and system navigation.
The recording of this informational webinar, which demonstrates how to use the system and addresses questions, is available below.
Wednesday, July 9, 2025 | 12:00 PM ET / 9:00 AM PT
Speakers
Eric Beightel, Federal Strategy Director, ESA Ted Boling, Partner, Perkins Coie
About
The frenetic pace of change in environmental policy can be dizzying and it leaves many environmental professionals searching for updates and coping strategies. This webinar will review the substantive changes to date during President Trump’s second term, with attendees learning about the policy, legislative, and regulatory changes along with judicial decisions that inform how we “do” environmental review and permitting for infrastructure projects. Presenters will also opine on legislative and regulatory reforms we may see and further developments in the changes already underway.
Moderator - Nic Frederick, Director of Conservation and Planning, DAWSON
Michael Mayer, Principal Environmental Project Manager, HDR Marie Campbell, President, Sapphos Environmental, Inc. Kim Berns Melhus, State Director, Minnesota Conservation Fund
Not sure about entering the private sector? Have you only ever worked for the government? We are assembling a panel of seasoned professionals from environmental consulting, NGOs, and business to talk about their experiences in the private sector, with a focus on transitioning from government positions. The webinar will allow attendees to ask questions and dispel any mysteries or myths related to private sector environmental employment.
The Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals (ABCEP) understands that you may be searching for your next professional career role. ABCEP bestows the Certified Environmental Professional credential as well as offers purposeful mentoring and career development planning to its Certified Environmental Professionals-In Training. Holding the CEP or CEP-IT credential differentiates you from others when competing for a job amongst other professional benefits. We invite you to learn more at a monthly informational session (first Thursdays), aninformational slide deck, orwww.abcep.org. ABCEP and NAEP have partnered for decades to advance the environmental profession and advocate for its people.
