Field Notes

The first thing you notice about Ryan Workman is the artistic set of tattoos that cover his arms and his confident, positive demeanor. Spend a little time with him, and he will also reveal a passion for the connection between water and community driven by his intentional career in environmental science.

This summer, Workman celebrates one year as an environmental scientist at Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., a community-minded consulting firm. Previously, he spent six years working for the City of Warsaw Stormwater Utility. However, his love for the environment started as a young child in Auburn, Indiana.

Workman credits his friends who lived on Sylvan Lake in Noble County for stoking a love for lakes as a teenager through tubing, swimming, and kayaking. His perspective evolved and deepened once he enrolled at Grace College and dove headfirst into the environmental science program led by Dr. Nate Bosch. He spent one summer working at the Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams, a research and education center at Grace College.

“During his brief but fruitful time at the Lilly Center, Ryan exceeded our expectations,” recalls Dr. Bosch. “His work collecting data and communication skills were first-rate, and I eventually asked him to look into special projects. Ryan researched the potential for increased E. coli in our lakes during specific events and studied the effects of toxic chemicals historically released near lakes.”

Thanks to Workman’s diligence and responsibility in the community, he transitioned to the City of Warsaw as the MS4 Coordinator after graduation. He oversaw stormwater and utility management, program development, and water quality.

He points to two projects he is particularly proud of. The first is the Beyer Farm Trail enhancement project that incorporated terraced seating and restored a prairie ecosystem. The other is the shoreline restoration initiative. This project stabilized over 4,600 linear feet of shoreline along Center Lake and Pike Lake.

In conversation with Workman, there is a consistent theme: community engagement through water quality. “Each business I’ve worked for is community-oriented,” Workman said. “I’m proud to be affiliated with companies that are focused on making a positive impact on the environment, especially through Stantec and Stantec in the Community.”

Stantec in the Community (SITC) empowers employees like Workman to connect with issues that matter to their community. We thank Workman for volunteering at one of the Lilly Center’s Critter Encounters this summer!

Over 40 young environmental science professionals like Workman sharpened their skills and deepened their knowledge at the Lilly Center last year. And, like Workman, many choose to stay in northern Indiana to begin environmental science careers and serve the natural world they learned to love as children.