From certifications focused on client safety to research scholarships and beyond, we celebrate FCS’s key achievements that helped to shape 2025 and set the stage for 2026.
An Exciting 2025!
While we eagerly anticipate all the coming year has to offer, we take a moment to acknowledge 2025’s accomplishments and successes. First Carbon Solutions (FCS), an ADEC Innovation, is grateful to our clients for trusting us with their environmental and sustainability solutions, and last year’s highlights are a testament to the power of those partnerships.
Our mission is to create positive impact and value, and we look forward to carrying those goals into 2026. Join us as we look back on a few stand-out moments from 2025.
Martin Rasnick Memorial Research Scholarship
In April 2025, FCS announced the first annual Martin Rasnick Memorial Research Scholarship, honoring the legacy of Martin Rasnick, a brilliant biologist, compassionate leader, and an advocate for impactful work. Martin was passionate about FCS’s environmental conservation and consulting work, and this scholarship aims to support his passions.
The annual $1,000 scholarship honors Martin’s legacy by furthering the education of an undergraduate student working toward biological resources conservation. Learn more and apply for this year’s scholarship by May 26, 2026.
Passion drives progress, and this scholarship is a symbol of Martin’s contagious dedication to creating a better world.
FCS Achieves ISO 27001 Certification
FCS announced its ISO 27001 certification in July 2025, reinforcing its dedication to safeguarding client data, enhancing operational integrity, and maintaining the highest standards of security across its services.
Developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO 27001 is the globally recognized standard for information security management. It specifies the requirements for an organization to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve an information security management system (ISMS).
To earn this certification, FCS implemented a comprehensive ISMS, including the development and documentation of more than 100 new policies. This process involved identifying potential risks, establishing robust controls for mitigation, and ensuring compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements. A series of internal audits served to evaluate and refine existing procedures, followed by a two-stage external audit.
ISO 27001 certification demonstrates a high level of commitment to information security in data-critical industries. This milestone further enhances FCS’s ability to securely undertake new projects and meet organizational security requirements.
Learn more about FCS’s ISO 27001 certification.
Regulation, Strategies, and Stewardship
This year, FCS’s thought leadership and case studies focused on regulatory changes in environmental law, strategies for compliance and mitigation, and ecological stewardship. Below are a few notable examples.
Wildfire mitigation and grants
- The Critical Role of Wildfire Mitigation Grants in Protecting Colorado’s Communities and Ecosystem: While wildfire mitigation in Colorado is nothing new, recent federal funding cuts mean local and state protections are more crucial than ever.
- CAL Fire’s Latest Hazard Maps: Implications for NorCal Development: The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire) released new hazard maps that greatly increased the areas considered “high” and “very high” risk for wildfires.
Urban forestry and smart growth
- Smart Growth for Greener Cities: Benefits of Urban Forestry: Urban forestry involves planting, establishing, protecting, and managing public trees and green spaces, sustaining our communities’ natural surroundings now and in the future.
- Self-Storage Facility Infectious Tree Disease Management Plan: FCS provided arboriculture services for a self-storage facility project located in Long Beach, California.
CEQA/NEPA updates and streamlining strategies
- AB 130 & SB 131: What Developers Need to Know About CEQA’s New Exemptions: Two California legislative bills recently signed into law will significantly impact the CEQA review and exemption process.
- Tribal and Cultural Resource Protections Under AB 130: A new statutory CEQA exemption for urban housing developments includes additional protection for tribal and cultural resources.
- Navigating CEQA Streamlining Exemptions for Infill Projects: This white paper offers practical guidance and key considerations for developers and public agencies navigating CEQA streamlining exemptions for California infill projects.
Species protections
- Burrowing Owl Mitigation on Project Sites: Current Approaches and Impending Changes: Since this blog was originally published in April 2024, the California Fish and Game Commission accepted for consideration the petition to list the borrowing owl under the California Endangered Species Act, elevating the burrowing owl to the same protections as state-listed endangered or threatened species.
- Special-Status Species Survey Calendar: FCS published an online species calendar tool with an extensive listing of California’s protected species and their respective survey periods. From the burrowing owl to the longhorn fairy shrimp, users can view information such as the common and scientific name, ranking, habitat requirements and description, region, and pertinent survey information.
From Milestones to New Horizons
As we close out 2025, these highlights reflect our unwavering commitment to responsible growth, innovation, and partnership. From advancing environmental research to sharing insights on critical regulatory topics, we are proud of our progress, and we’re proud to partner with you. We look forward to building on this momentum in 2026 and beyond.
