ECORP Consulting, Inc. was honored to attend the 2026 Tandem Global Conference and Awards Ceremony in Austin, Texas alongside our client, Vulcan Materials Company (VMC). It was an exciting and memorable event as the Durbin Quarry team, including VMC staff and ECORP biologists, received the prestigious Bats Project Award, which recognizes innovative conservation efforts that support native bat populations and promote habitat awareness.
The Tandem Global Bats Project Award celebrates a project that demonstrates responsible, conservation-forward planning and measurable benefits for bat species and their habitats. VMC’s award-winning Durbin Quarry bat project in California earned recognition for its ongoing commitment to bat conservation along the San Gabriel River corridor. Through the installation of bat boxes and regular year-round acoustic monitoring, the project helps track and support native bat populations while enhancing roosting and foraging habitat across a changing urban landscape.
ECORP played an important role in the success of the project. Lauren Simpson and Alden Lovaas served as the project’s bat biologists, providing technical expertise and monitoring support. Taylor Dee, who has more than a decade of experience managing Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) programs, served as the WHC Program Manager for the Durbin Quarry project and helped guide the project through its certification and award process. Through collaboration between ECORP and VMC, the Durbin Quarry program received Wildlife Habitat Council’s silver certification status and became an award-winning project after only its first certification application.
Representing ECORP at the conference were Taylor Dee, Alden Lovaas, and Lauren Simpson, who joined the VMC team in celebrating this significant achievement. The award reflects the strong partnership between VMC can and the environmental professionals dedicated to advancing conservation objectives while supporting responsible operations.
The celebration did not end there. The VMC team also earned the 2026 Tandem Global Spirit Award in the Small Group category. The Spirit Award recognizes the conference teams that bring exceptional enthusiasm, energy, and camaraderie to the annual awards dinner. With loud cheers, bat themed décor, wearable bat wings, a real bat house, “echolocating” bat clappers, and flying “bats”, the VMC team exemplified unwavering team pride throughout the evening, Vulcan’s group stood out among a highly spirited field of attendees.
The dual recognition made for an unforgettable evening and highlighted both the meaningful environmental outcomes achieved at Durbin Quarry and the collaborative team culture that helped bring the project to life.
Congratulations to Vulcan Materials Company and the entire Durbin Quarry project team on this outstanding accomplishment. ECORP is proud to have contributed to a project that advances wildlife conservation, supports native bat populations, and demonstrates the value of strong environmental stewardship and teamwork.
