Our Core
Dani DeCloux has been with Steigerwaldt for almost 2 and a half years. She currently holds the title of Environmental Operations Manager.
What do you specialize in?
I consider my specialties to be invasive species identification and management, native habitat restoration, green infrastructure plantings, and vegetation management plans. Wetland Delineations and environmental permitting are a never-ending opportunity for continued education. Identifying sedges is a battle that I have seen people who have been in this field 20 years struggle with. I also have experience leading prescribed burns and have been cross trained for forestry work, but I don’t consider myself an expert.
What does a day in your role look like?
I usually come in around 7am and make sure the team is prepared for their days. Normally, I have a few emails to send and some quick maps to format for the field, maybe a quick client meeting. Then we head out. Every day is a little bit different; we do quite a bit of invasive species work in the summer, but we also do some native vegetation planting and wetland delineations. We spend the day outside, meeting back up at the truck periodically to fill the backpacks, eat a snack, or I will text the team photos of new species that I have found delineating with the Latin name so they know it for the future. The day ends when we run out of water for our chemical prescription, when the road we are delineating gets too busy to cross, or when our bodies tell us we should be done for the day. Then we do it all over again!
What initially drew you to your field?
I took a course in Environmental Toxicology during college. I loved the outdoors and knew I didn’t want to spend my entire life in an office building.
What energizes you and keeps your passion going?
New opportunities and projects and adding property to our management portfolio keeps me energized. Occasionally, I like to check in on past properties just to see how the treatment or planting has held up and create a plan in my mind for how I would do things differently.
What is your favorite part of your role or favorite thing about working at Steigerwaldt?
I love being able to train new graduates or students and help them find their passions. Many people know they want to work outside, but not many know what opportunities are available to them or what their options are for a career. Being able to guide my team toward exploring their passions and continue growing their expertise is one of my favorite things. That and finding cute baby animals in the field!
What are three attributes that describe your team?
I think my team can best be described as flexible, collaborative, and reliable.
