Working on job sites is a defining part of ESA’s service offerings, transforming well-planned strategies into high-quality data and insights on which our clients rely. Whether we’re conducting biological surveys, cultural resource assessments, or hydrologic monitoring, our success depends on the ability to collect, manage, and report high-quality data quickly, accurately, and consistently. That’s why we’ve invested in building a robust, standardized, and adaptable strategy for mobile data collection—one that empowers field staff with the tools they need to deliver reliable results, while streamlining operations for project managers and clients alike.
Standardized Tools with a Custom Fit
Over the last several years, ESA has enhanced its use of mobile platforms such as Fulcrum, Esri’s Survey123, and Field Maps to design and deploy custom digital forms tailored to a wide array of environmental and cultural monitoring needs. These tools have been instrumental in transforming how our teams work in the field by eliminating paper-based forms, reducing transcription errors, and enabling near real-time data review that in turn drives faster and higher-quality reporting and minimizes or removes delays on construction projects.
Each mobile form is thoughtfully designed with the end-user in mind. From standardized dropdown menus and automated data validations to built-in photo capture and geotagging features, our forms ensure that data collected in the field is both consistent and actionable. The forms also include quality control tools that allow project managers and reviewers to rapidly assess completeness and accuracy, flagging issues before they become costly.
Automated Reporting and Real-Time Visibility
Once the data is collected, it seamlessly flows into automated reporting workflows. Our technology team has built systems that pull geotagged photos, field notes, and spatial information directly into pre-formatted templates tailored to meet agency or client-specific requirements. These reports are often ready for review within hours of data collection, supporting our clients’ needs for rapid decision-making and regulatory compliance.
In addition to formal reports, ESA’s systems can support real-time dashboards that offer project teams continuous visibility of field operations. These interactive tools display live data feeds, such as species detections, inspection logs, or compliance checks, mapped and summarized in intuitive formats. This enables interested parties such as our clients and partners to respond quickly to field incidents, track progress, and ensure that any required corrective actions are initiated without delay. These capabilities are especially critical for construction compliance and sensitive species monitoring, where timing and transparency are essential.
Harvest Water: Streamlining Environmental Compliance through Innovation
Harvest Water is a forward-thinking, recycled water program that delivers a sustainable supply of tertiary treated water for agriculture and habitat restoration. By reducing reliance on groundwater, the program supports water sustainability in southern Sacramento County. Harvest Water aims to provide up to 50,000 acre-feet of recycled water each year to support local farms and natural ecosystems. The project includes the installation of up to 47 miles of transmission and distribution pipelines within Elk Grove city streets and rural county roads, primarily within public rights-of-way.
ESA partnered with Harvest Water to implement standardized mobile data collection forms, enabling field biologists to efficiently document compliance issues and biological resources during construction activities. Equipped with GPS-enabled tablets, team members captured geotagged photos and recorded detailed data on construction progress, species presence, and habitat conditions. The forms included built-in quality assurance checks to minimize entry errors, along with automatic time stamping to ensure accurate and reliable compliance audit trails.
Once collected, the data is synced to an automated reporting system that generates customized compliance reports for agency review and broader communication. This efficient workflow enables ESA and the Harvest Water team to monitor progress, address compliance concerns, and coordinate fieldwork effectively.
Looking Ahead
As we expand our capabilities, ESA continues to refine its approach by developing centralized data repositories, enhancing field tool training, and building standardized dashboards for real-time visualization.
Ultimately, our vision is to make high-quality field data collection intuitive, efficient, and impactful, delivering better outcomes for clients, communities, and ecosystems.
Whether you’re looking to monitor a restoration site, ensure construction compliance, or analyze water quality trends, ESA’s mobile data collection and reporting solutions are designed to meet the moment.
