Pedro González, M.S. in Coastal Zone Management, is a seasoned biologist with over 40 years of experience in coastal and environmental assessment, planning, management, and education. His career spans government agencies, private industry, consulting, and academia, combining scientific expertise with practical solutions for sustainable coastal development and conservation.

 

Pedro began his career at the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where he collected and managed data for coastal, marine, and fisheries surveys, maintained GIS databases, and created digital maps. He also helped organize and review scientific research for international sea turtle symposiums.

 

At the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER), Coastal Zone Management Program (CZMP), he evaluated environmental impact statements and development applications in the coastal zone, prepared management plans for protected areas, reviewed environmental regulations, and advised on marine and coastal ecology. In the Marine Research Division, he conducted inventories and research on coastal protected areas.

 

Transitioning to the private sector, Pedro worked with an architectural and engineering firm, a real estate developer, and later became an independent environmental consultant. His consulting work focused primarily on the construction industry, preparing Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) and Assessments (EAs), tree inventories, terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna studies, permit support, conservation development evaluations, pollution prevention plans (SWPPP), site monitoring, Phase I & II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), RCRA Facility Investigations, soil abatement and disposal plans, as well as occupational health and safety plans and training.

 

As a professor, Pedro has taught environmental law and regulations, solid waste management, marine biology, and marine/coastal science research methods.

 

Through his work with MARE Society (Marine Awareness, Research & Education), he has educated and advised conservation groups and local authorities on coastal and marine risk assessment, protection, management, restoration, and conservation. He conceived and coordinated the Dune Creation & Beach Stabilization with Vegetation Action Team (Dune-CAT), prepared a Climate Change Adaptation Plan for a coastal municipality, and created a Climate Action Community Team. He also launched the Groundwater Inundation Monitoring & Awareness Team.

​

Currently, Pedro works with California Forestry and Vegetation Management, Inc. as a Utility Arborist Quality Control Inspector, overseeing vegetation management activities. He will soon transition to quality control of environmental monitoring for contractors working on Southern California Edison’s utility vegetation management programs.