Our Experience

Five E's Unlimited was founded in 1997 and is backed up by more than 25 years experience in environmental science research and management, as well as sustainable environmental and economic development consultant work. Five E's is able to work in a number of different areas that include:

• sustainable community development
• sustainability education and communication
• adaptive coastal zone management
• integrated watershed assessment & protection
• land-use assessment
• habitat restoration
• conservation-based development
• regional comprehensive planning
• environmental conflict resolution
• sustainable economic revitalization
• sustainable (green) building design
• sustainable city strategies

The broad experience base of the Firm offers a diverse array of skills, tools, and knowledge in assisting groups toward integrating environmental, economic, and social equity concerns into project design and problem-solving processes. Examine our diverse work history description below to learn more about the Firm's background.

Diverse Work History

Integrated Coastal Zone Management: Led interdisciplinary research teams evaluating land-use effects on marine and Great Lakes coastal waters; Assessed status of current practices and policies in mid-Atlantic, Gulf Coast, and Great Lakes states, working with governments to modify and advance protocols that stressed adaptive, sustainable, integrated management approaches.

Aquatic/Coastal Biology & Habitat Management: Researched ecology and food web interactions of estuarine/marine ecosystems; Developed strategies for environmentally sound management/protection of coastal living resources and ecosystems; Assessed impacts of water diversions on water quality and production of coastal ecosystems; Developed plans for aquatic habitat restoration/management; Assessed environmental and socio-economic importance of critical marine habitats and their biodiversity.

Adaptive Watershed Management: Studied interactions among land-use patterns, community practices, water users, and industries to design actions toward advancing equity, participation, and water resources sustainability for multiple watershed users; Recommended institutional arrangements to achieve adaptive, integrated watershed management; Provided technical advice on sedimentation control, forestry and range management, water conservation management, wastewater treatment facilities design, and technical information dissemination systems.

Integrated Water Resources Management: Designed and facilitated public participatory approaches to integrated water resources decision-making; Served as a leader of multi-discipline teams assuming responsibility for sound water resources use, information needs research, and community-based environmental protection activities; Conducted conflict resolution processes to develop consensual use of water resources among competing stakeholders.

Smart Development Planning: Developed local/regional government comprehensive plans to identify major economic, social, environmental, and cultural concerns of a locality and actions they could implement; Employed sustainable design protocol using GIS landscape assessment to assist rural communities in developing best land-use practices; Conducted conflict resolution processes to develop consensual use of land resources among competing stakeholders.

Rural Economic and Eco-Tourism Development: Performed competitive assessments and work force analyses and identified target industries appropriate for rural locations; Aided in the development of industrial parks and eco-tourist attractions to maximize economic potential; Conducted focus groups and employer interviews to gain an understanding of community needs and goals; Formulated organizational and marketing strategies for implementation of economic development plans.

Agriculture & Natural Resources: Investigated ways for family farms to remain economically viable while protecting the environment and providing good jobs; Designed an integrated rural development model for transforming regional economies to increase family-wage jobs; Implemented value-added natural resources activities and designed/assessed eco-tourism programs; Promoted stewardship in watershed natural resource protection, sustainable agriculture, and other land-uses.

Training/Institutional Strengthening & Sustainable Development Education: Conducted formal and informal training in adaptive, multi-discipline environmental management for governments, the private sector, NGOs, and communities; Conducted public participation campaigns for watershed planning/management programs, stimulating local stakeholder involvement in community-based environmental protection activities; Developed communication strategies to provide public information and change behaviors toward natural resource exploitation/protection; Designed and implemented environmental education curricula for high school and college settings.

Sustainable Communities Development: Led business/resident efforts at sustainable economic development and neighborhood revitalization to benefit from international trade (NAFTA) opportunities; Developed and consulted on comprehensive village design concepts; Conducted conflict resolution processes among competing village sectors; Researched and designed the Eco-Team concept for neighborhood implementation.

Sustainable Green Building: Demonstrated how sustainability and conservation issues can be achieved in residential sub-division development; Developed procedures to integrate energy/resource efficient design strategies into affordable housing promotion; Designed and built homes in South Texas and upstate New York incorporating energy resource efficient concepts into traditional home building that encourages more sustainable life styles.

Public Consultation/Participation: Facilitated stakeholder organizing for development of diverse, self-sufficient community plans, "village" economic re-development, and cross-boundary linkage of neighborhoods; Involved all stakeholders in community-based natural resource mapping, ecological appraisal, and management; Implemented stakeholder conferences and workshops, including their design, facilitation, and reporting; Fashioned ways to seek common understanding, maintain stakeholder dignity, enhance communication, and develop consensus in natural resource and land-use related conflicts.

Internet Applications: Advised organizations on use and application of the Internet in meeting various research, information, and economic development needs; Conducted information technology training; Assisted organizations in developing e-mail capabilities and publishing Internet newsletters; Used Internet media for environmental education/communication; Designed and published web sites for several organizations.

Data Base Design & Management: Designed and implemented large, computerized data bases for maintaining, searching, and up-dating research scientist expertise records and USAID consultant registration information; Designed data bases searchable by multiple fields and keywords, and accessible on-line.