Williams & Sparages

08/28/2026

W&S working on an interesting coastal engineering project in 📍Gloucester, MA

07/24/2026

Featured Project Spotlight

We're proud to see our work highlighted by Historic New England in a recent article about habitat management at Cogswell's Grant in Essex, Massachusetts.

As part of this collaboration, our Professional Wetland Scientist, Justine Fox, conducted field surveys to better understand how grassland-nesting birds use the property's agricultural fields. The survey documented breeding activity by bobolinks and eastern meadowlarks and helped inform practical mowing recommendations that support nesting birds while allowing Cogswell's Grant to continue its long tradition of hay farming.

Projects like this reflect some of the things we do every day at Williams & Sparages—providing science-based environmental consulting that helps clients make informed land management decisions while balancing ecological and operational goals.

We're grateful to Historic New England for the opportunity to contribute to this important work and for sharing the story behind the project.

Read the full article to learn more about the survey, the findings, and the collaborative approach to managing this unique historic landscape.

At Cogswell's Grant in Essex, Massachusetts, we have found ways for hay farming and bird habitats to peacefully coexist.

07/17/2026

Field testing in progress—
evaluating soil conditions for future wastewater system design

07/04/2026

Happy Independence Day from our family and friends at Williams & Sparages to yours!

06/26/2026

Another day in the field! Our team is out performing perc tests to help prepare properties for future septic systems. 🌿

06/12/2026

Fieldwork in Action
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Our environmental team performing soil testing at a residential property to support the design and effectiveness of a stormwater management system. Every successful project starts with understanding the ground beneath us.

05/26/2026

W&S handled the Survey and Septic Design Plans for this Septic System expansion of a new 2,000 gallon Septic Tank to support a 5th bedroom addition on this existing residence

05/25/2026

05/22/2026

Happy National Wetlands Month!
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Recent fieldwork included delineating the Bordering Vegetated Wetlands along the edge of a pond, as well as the mean-annual high water of a downgradient perennial stream — plus a surprise sighting of migrating American Eels making their way upstream.
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Fun fact: the American Eel (Anguilla Rostrata) is the only catadromous fish species in North America, meaning it spends most of its life in freshwater before migrating to the ocean to spawn. We observed them in their juvenile “glass eel” stage as they arrived in East Coast tributaries this spring, completing an incredible 9–12 month journey from the Sargasso Sea.

05/10/2026

Wishing a very Happy Mother’s Day to everyone, including our very own incredible Moms on our team; Kaitlin our Office Manager and Justine our Wetland Scientist 🌻