ABR, Inc.-Environmental Research & Services: promoting excellence and sustainability. (Advertisement: Business Profile).

When he co-founded Alaska Biological Research in 1976, biologist Robert J. Ritchie hoped to conduct wildlife surveys for government agencies and industries. Today, this Alaskan-owned small business has matured into a widely respected firm that no longer focuses just on biology or Alaska, which is reflected in the current name: ABR, Inc.-Environmental Research & Services. The Fairbanks-based firm, which has expanded to offices in Anchorage and Portland and conducted several international projects, is guided by a mission to provide objective, science-based consulting services to public agencies and private businesses who conserve, manage or develop natural resources.

ABR's 40-member staff comprises experienced wildlife and fishery biologists, botanists, ecologists, ecological restoration specialists, physical scientists, GIS analysts and supporting disciplines. These professionals-many with 15-25 years of Arctic and Alaskan experience at ABR-provide vital guidance and assistance to businesses and resource managers who require expert technical research, permitting advice, impact assessment and other environmental assistance.

"A TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE"

CEO Ritchie leads a business that strives to provide clients with the highest quality service while sustaining its own growth and minimizing impacts on natural and human (community) resources.

"We have a corporate responsibility to seek more than just economic growth. We take affirmative measures to ensure that our growth is 'good growth,"' Ritchie declares, "and that the natural assets we help manage will continue to sustain us. We're still learning, but our business strategy focuses on a 'triple bottom line': environmental stewardship, social responsibility and economic viability."

ABR's clients include oil and gas, timber and mining sectors of private industry; federal, state and local agencies; universities; municipalities; utilities; engineering firms; and Alaska Native corporations. These organizations routinely employ ABR to perform wetland mapping; endangered and threatened species surveys; wildlife and fisheries population monitoring; ecological land classification and habitat mapping; soil, water and vegetation sampling; radar ornithology; watershed assessments; restoration/reclamation planning; and a myriad of similar projects. These tasks are vital to maintaining a healthy environment in which responsible economic activity and sustainable resource development coexist.

SEEKING TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE

As winner of several awards for leadership in resource conservation, including the Alaska DEC Commissioner's Award for Pollution Prevention in 1992 and 2002, ABR encourages and rewards its employees for personal actions and choices in resource conservation: carpooling, using alternative transportation (biking, walking or skijoring to work); reducing, reusing and recycling; and volunteering in the community. Recently, ABR invested in gas-electric hybrid vehicles to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse emissions. They also matched EPA funds to support installation of solar panels at a middle school and engaged in carbon sequestration efforts. ABR makes a special effort to work with emerging resource technologies such as wind power. "We value these measures as long-term, cost-saving business mechanisms that also foster good health and encourage conservation efforts by employees, colleagues and clients," says Ritchie.

"ABR and other small businesses are faced with incredible opportunities and challenges to rise above recent negative corporate images and promote sustainable business practices. Our goal is to help others succeed in their efforts to manage resources in both an economically sound and an environmentally responsible manner. Although no single model clearly will fit all businesses, it is important to recognize that the two outcomes are not mutually exclusive."

ABR INC.

Environmental Research & Services

P.O. Box 80410

Fairbanks, AK 99708

Telephone: [phone]

Telefax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Web site: www.abrinc.com