Zender Environmental Health & Research Group Co.
Background
Zender Environmental Health & Research Group Co. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Anchorage, Alaska. Established in 2007, the organization is dedicated to enhancing environmental health by addressing the unique waste and water quality challenges faced by remote small communities and tribes. Their mission is to provide technical expertise, coordinate efforts, and conduct research that advances environmental health and safety for all peoples. The organization operates primarily within the environmental consulting industry, focusing on pollution abatement and control services.
Key Strategic Focus
Zender Environmental Health & Research Group Co. concentrates on several strategic objectives:
- Community Assistance and Training: Offering free, community-based training and assistance programs tailored to the specific needs of rural and remote communities.
- Arctic and Remote Community Research: Conducting research to better understand and address environmental health issues in isolated communities.
- Water Quality Programs: Providing training and technical assistance in water and soil sampling to ensure safe water quality standards.
- Rural Environmental Technician Training (RACEJT): Offering a comprehensive job training program that equips individuals with the skills necessary for environmental and community public health service roles.
- Backhaul Alaska Program: Coordinating the removal of hazardous wastes from rural communities to protect environmental health.
- Solid Waste Alaska Taskforce (SWAT): Collaborating with various organizations to address solid waste management challenges in Alaska.
- Collaborative Research: Engaging in research projects aimed at improving waste management systems and understanding environmental health impacts.
- Tribal Toxics Exposure Work: Working with the National Tribal Toxics Council to incorporate tribal-specific parameters into toxic chemical risk assessments under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
Financials and Funding
In the fiscal year ending September 2024, Zender Environmental Health & Research Group Co. reported:
- Total Revenues: $2,581,235
- Total Expenses: $2,170,798
- Total Assets: $1,793,214
The organization has received funding from various sources, including grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For instance, in December 2022, the EPA awarded $1 million in Brownfield Environmental Job Training Grants to support environmental job training programs.
Pipeline Development
Zender Environmental Health & Research Group Co. is involved in several ongoing projects:
- Rural Environmental Technician Training (RACEJT): A 260-hour job training program in collaboration with the University of Alaska, offering certifications and college credits for various environmental roles.
- Backhaul Alaska Program: A program coordinating the removal of hazardous wastes from rural communities, including electronics, batteries, and fluorescent light bulbs.
- Solid Waste Alaska Taskforce (SWAT): A collaborative effort with other organizations to address solid waste management challenges in Alaska through shared resources and knowledge.
- Collaborative Research: Engaging in research projects and initiatives aimed at improving waste management systems and understanding environmental health impacts.
Technological Platform and Innovation
Zender Environmental Health & Research Group Co. employs several innovative approaches:
- Proprietary Technologies: Utilizing specialized equipment for water and soil sampling, including YSI meters, Hanna Combo Meters, and Turbidity Meters.
- Scientific Methods: Implementing hands-on training programs for environmental and natural resource staff, waste managers, landfill operators, waste collectors, and councils to design, fund, and manage waste and water quality programs.
Leadership Team
The leadership team includes:
- Lynn Zender: Executive Director
- Charla Peterson: Office Manager
- April Reed-McCoy, M.S.: Program Manager
Detailed professional backgrounds and key contributions of these individuals are not specified in the available information.
Competitor Profile
Zender Environmental Health & Research Group Co. operates in a niche sector, focusing on environmental health and research for remote communities. While direct competitors are limited, similar organizations include:
- Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC): Provides health services to Alaska Native people.
- Kawerak, Inc.: A regional non-profit corporation serving the Bering Strait region.
- University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF): Offers educational programs and research opportunities related to environmental health.
Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships
Zender Environmental Health & Research Group Co. collaborates with various organizations, including:
- University of Alaska Fairbanks: For the Rural Environmental Technician Training program.
- University of Washington: For the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Training Program.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Providing grants for environmental workforce development.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Funding for environmental job training programs.
Operational Insights
Zender Environmental Health & Research Group Co. differentiates itself through:
- Community-Centric Approach: Tailoring programs to the unique needs of rural and remote communities.
- Comprehensive Training Programs: Offering extensive training and certification opportunities for local residents.
- Collaborative Research Initiatives: Engaging in research to develop sustainable solutions for environmental health challenges.
Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions
The organization is well-positioned to:
- Expand Training Programs: Increase the reach and impact of the RACEJT program to more communities.
- Enhance Research Initiatives: Develop new research projects addressing emerging environmental health issues.
- Strengthen Partnerships: Collaborate with additional organizations to leverage resources and expertise.
Contact Information
- Website: zendergroup.org
