STEPHANIE FREED is EIP’s Assistant Director of Operations in the Western U.S., where she leads all phases of ecological restoration projects—from early due diligence and baseline assessments through project design, permitting, construction, and long-term maintenance and monitoring. As of July 2025, Stephanie has played a direct role in the restoration and protection of 15,754 acres of sensitive habitat—2,314 of which are currently in permitting—across four U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Districts in California, Alaska, and Texas.

Stephanie brings extensive expertise in the design and implementation of restoration for diverse habitat types, including tidal marshes (both freshwater and salt), vernal pools and alkali playas, streams, riparian corridors, Arctic tundra, and a range of upland systems.

She is recognized for her ecological expertise as a Professional Wetland Scientist (Society of Wetland Scientists), a Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (Society for Ecological Restoration), and an Instructor of the California Rapid Assessment Method (CRAM). She also serves on the Board of the California Ecological Restoration Business Association (Cal-ERBA), where she previously held the role of Vice President.

Before joining EIP in 2019, Stephanie worked as an environmental consultant and restoration ecologist in the private sector, contributing to projects throughout California and the northeastern U.S. Her work included biological assessments, entitlement, and ecological monitoring across a wide range of ecosystems.

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Stephanie enjoys spending time outdoors and enjoying scenic destinations both near and far. She holds a degree in Ecology from The Pennsylvania State University.

Q&A with Stephanie

What does your role at EIP entail?

My role at EIP includes initial collaboration with our real estate and markets teams to vet potential restoration opportunities based on site constraints and restoration viability. As part of the Operations team, I shape the appropriate consultant team with relevant expertise needed to achieve our goals and oversee project development through construction and post-construction monitoring and maintenance.

What led you to this line of work?

I’m passionate about preserving biodiversity and have a deep appreciation for both native flora and fauna. At EIP, I’m driven by the goals of enhancing ecosystems to support the resilience of native species in the face of a changing climate.