NYSERDA Webinar: Protected Species Observers for Offshore Wind

In this webinar, Sarah Fortuna with A.I.S. Inc. will discuss the work of protected species observers in infrastructure development in the marine environment, including offshore wind development. 

This webinar is part of the Learning from the Experts series hosted by NYSERDA’s Offshore Wind Team and featuring experts in key offshore wind topics, including wind farm technologies, development practices, regulatory processes, and research initiatives.

About the Speaker: Sarah Fortuna, Project Manager with the Environmental Monitoring Division, A.I.S., Inc.

Sarah Fortuna has nine years of experience supporting protected species monitoring and mitigation programs. Her expertise is grounded in both field-based and project management roles, with a focus on ensuring regulatory compliance and operational excellence across offshore industries. She leads complex monitoring programs supporting offshore renewable energy, oil and gas, and marine construction. Her project portfolio includes geophysical and geotechnical surveys, cable lay operations, dredging, and nearshore and offshore construction activities. Her work centers on the design and implementation of protected and endangered species monitoring programs, ensuring compliance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act. Sarah has provided regulatory consultation services, developed and delivered comprehensive training curricula and authors technical reports in accordance with National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) requirements. As the primary trainer and point of contact for AIS’s NMFS-compliant protected species observer (PSO) training program, Sarah plays a key role in communicating evolving regulatory standards and ensuring environmental compliance across the PSO industry.