Many years ago, as I was leaving one job in erosion and sediment control to go to another job in stormwater management, I told my former boss (Mell Nevils, North Carolina Department of Environmental Resources Land Quality Section) that I couldn’t build a career on just erosion and sediment control. I knew everything there was to know about erosion and sediment control, so how could I keep learning and growing in my career? I left that job feeling justified in my choice to move on, having learned everything there was to know about erosion and sediment control. How naïve I was!
In the years since, I’ve realized that erosion and sediment control is simply a component of stormwater management. Stormwater management encompasses so many components, including floodplain management, water quality, water quantity, and water reuse. If you delve into each of these components, you can find even more specialized subsets of knowledge, such as stream restoration, vegetation management, stormwater modeling, water-quality monitoring, and more. Those of us in IECA are specialists. We focus on one or more of these areas of stormwater management and build our careers around those areas. Our local chapters bring us together so we collectively can develop solutions to problems with experts in soils, vegetation, water management, and regulations specific to our areas. No, I haven’t “learned it all”-not yet anyway…
Meeting Rock Stars
I finally joined IECA in early 2000, feeling like maybe I could learn a little more. I had been an IECA voyeur for years. I had watched the organization but didn’t actively participate. When I joined and became active in the chapter, I found myself rubbing elbows with people that I had heard about but didn’t know-our erosion and sediment control “rock stars” like Jerry Fifield, Earl Norton, Rich McLaughlin, Carol Forrest, Jennifer Hildebrand, and Mike Harding. I placed myself in situations so I could learn from these rock stars, and learn I did! At chapter events and at the Environmental Connection annual conference, I signed up for classes taught by Rich McLaughlin (turbidity reduction), Terrence Toy (RUSLE2), David Derrick (bioengineered stream restoration), and George Athanasakes (geomorphology). And I quickly realized that I still had more learning to do!
Maybe I Didn’t Know Everything
I learned quickly that the Southeast-my neighbors-all had similar questions. How do we design better? How do we manage construction sites better? How do we grow grass successfully on clay in 100-degree weather? How do we manage construction site runoff when we get 40-50 inches of rain a year? And I found answers amongst chapter members. The chapter board alone has been an excellent representation of our membership and resources, representing manufacturers, academia, regulators, designers, and consultants. At our workshops, we focused on our local issues and discussed them over lunch or during the social. We solved the world’s stormwater issues over a beer!
I also attended the annual conferences of IECA in Pennsylvania, California, Las Vegas, Dallas, and Florida. Each time I went, I saw friends I hadn’t seen in a year, I made new friends, and I learned at least one new thing.
Learning and Finding New Clients
My connections at Environmental Connection and through the chapter also brought new opportunities to me. I connected with new clients in Kentucky, Wyoming, California, and North Carolina-doors were opened in new places both close to home and far away. My portfolio grew, as did the value of membership in IECA! If you are a manufacturer or consultant, IECA opens doors to those looking for fresh ideas or solutions to their problems.
Now to Give Back
Somewhere along the way, I realized that IECA truly has been a fundamental resource. I still specialize in erosion and sediment control; I’m still learning more; I’ve added other stormwater management specialty areas; and I’ve continued to find new clients through IECA. So I decided to give back-not to simply “take.” I’ve invested my time in developing and supporting the Southeast Chapter and the Board of Directors for Region One. I find ways to mentor the next generation of “I know it all” stormwater experts. I take what I’ve learned from Barry Fagan, Earl Norton, Tom Carpenter, Charlie Riling, Julie Etra, and so many more, and give back to the organization. If you aren’t already actively involved in IECA’s chapters, consider investing time in your best “best management practice” and continue the growth of our organization. It really is a win-win scenario.
Because I can and I have built a career I love in erosion and sediment control and stormwater management. Because I have found other like-minded people. Because I continue to learn. Because I enjoy seeing others learn. These are all reasons why the IECA community is so special to me.
I am an active IECA member. And I still have more learnin’ to do (you were right, Mell)! See you in San Diego.
