July 23, 2021

Career Considerations for Civil Engineers

Considerations

Civil engineering is widely considered to be one of the oldest engineering disciplines. It is largely concerned with the planning, design, construction and maintenance of the built environment, both physical and natural. Civil engineering covers a number of practice areas and generally an engineer has a background in a particular focus such as construction, environmental, geotechnical, structural, transportation and water resources. Are you thinking about a career in this field? Here are some areas of work that you should consider.

Public Works

Public works projects run the gamut of infrastructure, including public buildings, water/wastewater systems, parks, public spaces, electrical grids, dams and transportation/transit facilities. These projects are usually owned and funded by governmental agencies and as the name suggests, serve the public at large. A career in public works can be very rewarding and provides the opportunity to work with various entities such as school districts, wastewater treatment companies, construction companies and more.

Sustainability and the Environment

Changes in climate, population growth and future quality of life concerns may lead you to pursue in a career in sustainability. While environmental responsibility is something that affects many areas, you can leverage the knowledge of green building design, environmental principles and other sustainability practices to support publicly and privately funded projects. As more entities look to lower the environmental impact of future projects, the need for professionals with practical experience in eco-friendly design continues to grow.

Construction Management

Construction managers and contractors are responsible for making design projects a reality. The field of construction management benefits from having civil engineers who can read and interpret plans for successful project delivery. Many projects require the input of educated and licensed pros who can come up with solutions for unforeseen issues in the field.

Civil engineering isn’t going anywhere as a profession. An evolving world continues to require the expertise and education of engineers to provide solutions for today’s and tomorrow’s issues. A career in this field can be fulfilling both professionally and personally.…

Saving Florida’s Natural Resources Is Complex

Natural Resources

If you are like most people, your mind may wander to precious metals, forests, or water when you think of natural resources. Although there are various environmental properties in different parts of the globe, you may have also been told to focus more on wildlife and soils if you live in Florida. For decades humans have intruded in a march across the state with little or no thought of how their actions affected the surrounding areas. Thankfully, protecting nature is now a focus of many groups.

Safeguarding the Marshes

Did you know the boggy marshes and blue lakes of the area have rights and can sue for protection? Although it sounds unusual to believe that nature has the ability to protect itself in a human court of law, it is true. Such a suit is now being fought in a Florida court.

Preserving Precious Wetlands

If you purchase a large parcel of land in Florida, there is a chance you will find you have become the owner of an area designated a wetland. With that ownership comes the responsibility to protect the wetlands from invasive species and exotic plants. If you don’t know what types of plants need to be removed, get wetland inspections Sarasota County FL.

Protecting Endangered Species

There are more than nine types of animals on Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species List published annually by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The endangered species include American alligators, sea turtles, black bears, and crocodiles. Add bald eagles and turtles to the list, and you can see the diversity and how efforts in protecting one species could harm another.

It may take a great deal of planning to protect the natural resources that Florida has to offer, but you can help. Check for invasive plants, protect endangered animals, and keep tabs on the lawsuit filed on behalf of the waterways.…

3 Types of Plants for Ponds and Lakes

Plants

One can upgrade the appearance of a pond or lake by adding various plants on or near it. There are many plants that can help fulfill this purpose. Take a look at this list of three types of plants for ponds and lakes.

1. Water Lillies

Water lilies are a type of flowering plant that can float on top of an area of water. These lilies are known for their beauty since they come in a wide array of colors, including red, pink, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and white. Some water lily flowers are about two inches in diameter while others are over a foot in diameter. Check out aquascaping services Florida to learn more about adding aquatic plants like water lilies to a body of water.

2. Cardinal Flower

The cardinal flower is a perennial plant that has red blossoms, erect stems, and dark green leaves. This flower can grow up to six feet tall. It prefers moist soil and can be planted near the perimeter of a pond or lake. Note that it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds and acts as a source of nectar for them. The cardinal flower can tolerate both cold and warm temperatures, but it requires wet soil since it cannot endure drought-like conditions. It is a great addition to any water garden.

3. Marsh Marigold

A herbaceous plant, the marsh marigold has bright yellow blossoms that bloom during the springtime. It also has heart-shaped leaves that have a rich green hue. The plant can grow up to a foot tall and can be planted in the shallow regions of a pond or lake. People gravitate towards this plant because it does not need much maintenance; as long as it has access to water and gets at least six hours of sunlight each day, it should flourish.

Plants can beautify a body of water. Fortunately, there are many plants one can utilize for that purpose.…