North State Environmental
North State Environmental is a Winston-Salem, NC-based environmental and civil construction firm specializing in stream and wetland restoration, dam removal, ecological clearing, and retention basin construction for government agencies, conservation nonprofits, mitigation banks, and private clients across North America.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersWinston Salem, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What North State Environmental does
North State Environmental, Inc. is a privately held, founder-owned environmental and civil construction firm headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, founded in September 1994 by Darrell and Stephanie Westmoreland. The company specializes in stream and wetland restoration, dam removal and repair, ecological clearing, retention basin construction, erosion control, and civil roadway and site work construction. Its technical approach relies on natural materials (rocks, logs, native plants) and engineered in-stream structures (log vanes, rock riffles, toe wood) to re-establish natural river patterns, profiles, and dimensions; the firm emphasizes an ecological clearing method that preserves rootzone integrity for bank stability. North State self-describes as bridging the gap between project owners and designers, delivering both design-build and design-bid-build procurement models. The company operates across North America — including the Southeast, Rocky Mountain, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic regions — with disclosed project evidence in North Carolina, Colorado, Wyoming, Minnesota, Michigan, West Virginia, and Tennessee.
The firm generates project-based revenue through competitive bidding, RFP responses, and direct procurement with federal/state/local government agencies, conservation nonprofits (Trout Unlimited chapters, Ducks Unlimited, Resource Institute, Outdoor Discovery Center), universities, mitigation banks (notably Ecosystem Investment Partners), and private companies requiring environmental compliance. Pricing is quote-based and project-specific with no public pricing tiers; compensation benchmarks disclosed in job postings range from $18-23/hour for laborers to $105,000-$130,000 annually for Civil Construction Project Managers. The company is entirely bootstrapped (started on a $5,000 bank loan), retains 101-250 employees, and reported $18 million in annual revenue circa 2019-2020. Customer acquisition is sales-led through direct engagement, supplemented by a project portfolio website, Facebook and LinkedIn presence, and referral-driven contact forms. Strategic partnerships with conservation organizations and repeat engagement on multi-phase programs (Reedy Creek, Lower Dempsey, Boulder Creek, Hardin Creek) demonstrate durable relationships with mission-aligned counterparties.
North State Environmental firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- North State Environmental
- Legal name
- North State Environmental, Inc.
- Website
- https://nsenv.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- North State Environmental is a Winston-Salem, NC-based environmental and civil construction firm specializing in stream and wetland restoration, dam removal, ecological clearing, and retention basin construction for government agencies, conservation nonprofits, mitigation banks, and private clients across North America.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
North State Environmental industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Construction Services
- NAICS
- Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction (237), Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction (237310), Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction (237110), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)
- SIC
- Heavy Construction Other Than Bldg Const - Contractors (1600), Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Site Preparation & Civil Works (Clearing, Grading, Earthworks, Roads) (EUAMAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Environmental & Permitting Compliance During Construction (Erosion Control, Wildlife Mitigation, Monitoring) (EUAMAFAM), Storage & Conveyance Structures (Reservoirs, Tanks, Culverts, Tunnels) (IMAFAGAE), Drainage & Water Control Structures (Culverts, Ditches, Cross-Drains) (AFAMAHAF)
Keywords
Where North State Environmental is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Winston Salem
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
North State Environmental business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Environmental Construction Projects: Project-based revenue from stream restoration, wetland restoration, dam removal, ecological clearing, civil site work, and stormwater management projects. Work is sourced from government agencies, nonprofits, universities, mitigation banks, and private companies through competitive bidding and direct procurement. Projects span design-build and design-bid-build delivery models.
- Civil Site Work Construction: Civil roadway and site work construction services including grading, drainage installation, pavement laying, and utility placement.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Hourly | Laborer positions |
| Other | Hourly | Excavator Operator positions |
| Other | Hourly | Operating Foreman |
| Other | Hourly | Civil Construction Foreman |
| Other | Annual | Civil Construction Project Manager |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
North State Environmental product offering
Product offeringCore offering
North State Environmental is an environmental and civil construction company that delivers stream and wetland restoration, dam removal and repair, ecological clearing, retention basin construction, civil roadway and site work, and erosion control services. Projects are executed for government agencies, nonprofit conservation organizations, mitigation banks, universities, and private companies across North America using design-build and design-bid-build delivery models. The firm operates as a project-based construction contractor specializing in ecological infrastructure.
Product overview
North State Environmental is a provider of environmental and civil construction services specializing in stream and wetland restoration. The company operates a unified portfolio of core service offerings including Stream Restoration, Wetland Restoration, Dam Removal & Repair, Ecological Clearing, Retention Basins/BMP, Civil Roadway & Site Work Construction, and Erosion Control & Site Stabilization. These services work together as an integrated environmental construction solution—stream and wetland restoration form the primary focus, while dam removal, ecological clearing, and erosion control provide complementary capabilities, and retention basins and civil site work support broader infrastructure and stormwater management needs. The company operates across North America working with government agencies, nonprofits, universities, mitigation banks, and private companies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Stream Restoration Stream restoration aims to improve the environmental health of rivers or streams and restore them to a secure state by re-establishing structure and function of ecosystems, including natural diversity, aquatic habitat, and riparian corridors. Delivered for government agencies, mitigation banks, and conservation organizations.
- Wetland Restoration Wetland restoration returns wetlands to their natural state to provide water filtration, habitats for animals and insects, natural buffers for streams and rivers, and treatment of stormwater runoff. Delivered for government agencies, nonprofits, and mitigation banks.
- Dam Removal and Repair Dam removal and repair involves the assessment, rehabilitation, or complete removal of existing dam structures to ensure safety and environmental compliance, including techniques to reinforce or replace aging components, manage sediment buildup, and restore natural waterways while minimizing ecological disruption. Includes replacement with revetments to maintain grade control and re-establish the river's natural pattern, profile, and dimension.
- Ecological Clearing Ecological clearing refers to the careful removal of vegetation and other natural features to prepare a site for development while minimizing environmental impact. Uses an eco-friendly approach that keeps the rootzone in place for bank stability, reducing debris removal costs.
- Retention Basins / Stormwater BMP Construction Stormwater control structures that collect and release water at a controlled rate to control flooding and prevent erosion, working to remove pollutants from contaminated stormwater runoff. Retention basins incorporate natural vegetation for habitat while controlling runoff quantity and quality.
- Civil Roadway and Site Work Construction Planning, design, and execution of infrastructure projects that create and improve roads, highways, and related public spaces, including grading, drainage installation, pavement laying, and utility placement for safe and efficient transportation networks.
- Erosion Control and Site Stabilization Implementing measures to prevent soil loss and maintain the integrity of landscapes through techniques such as planting vegetation, installing barriers, and using geotextiles to protect against water and wind erosion, ensuring long-term stability and health of the site.
Quantifiable outcome
- Hardin Creek project: 1,800 linear foot stream restoration with 3,500 native tree species planted, completed ahead of schedule and within budget
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use North State Environmental
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
North State Environmental technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
North State Environmental partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Trout UnlimitedcoreConservation partnership for stream restoration projects. Worked with multiple Trout Unlimited chapters including SER Conservation District (Wyoming), Gitche Gumee Chapter (Minnesota), and others on restoration projects including Encampment River, Stewart River, and other watershed restoration initiatives.
- Ducks UnlimitedminorConservation organization partnership focused on wetland and waterfowl habitat restoration.
- Quail Unlimited / NWTFminorPartnership with National Wild Turkey Federation for habitat restoration supporting wildlife conservation.
- Resource InstitutecoreDesign/Build partnership on multiple stream restoration projects including East Fork Roaring River Restoration and Call Creek. The Resource Institute serves as project coordinator and design partner with North State handling construction.
- Boulder County Parks and Open SpacecorePartnership on Brewbaker Sorenson Riparian Restoration project in Longmont, Colorado. North State served as design-build partner implementing restoration approach approved by the county.
- Ecosystem Investment PartnerscoreContracted by Ecosystem Investment Partners to provide construction services for Lower Dempsey Stream Mitigation Bank in West Virginia. North State serves as construction contractor for their mitigation banking projects.
- The Outdoor Discovery CenterminorNonprofit partner for whom North State provided technical assistance and construction services for Peters Creek Project in Michigan.
- Lake County Conservation DistrictminorContracted for Stewart River Restoration Project in Two Harbors, MN.
- SER Conservation DistrictcorePartnership with SER Conservation District and Wyoming Trout Unlimited on Encampment River Peryam Ranch project. Awarded projects through Design Bid Build solicitation.
- City of BouldercoreBoulder Creek Restoration project considered a demonstration project by the City. North State completed implementation in design-build collaboration with local engineer.
- Town of Boone / New River ConservancycoreHardin Creek restoration project organized and funded by Town of Boone and The New River Conservancy. Completed in 2025 ahead of schedule and within budget.
- NC Park ServiceminorPartner support for East Prong Roaring River Restoration project in Stone Mountain State Park.
- ROC Solid FoundationminorNonprofit partnership to build hope for children and families fighting pediatric cancer. North State team built a playset for a young boy battling cancer as community service initiative.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
North State Environmental competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Ecosystem Investment Partners: Mitigation banking developer and investor (e.g., Lower Dempsey Stream Mitigation Bank). Listed because it is a key NSE customer/channel for bank construction rather than a competitor; relevant for understanding NSE's go-to-market.
Emerging players
- Three Oaks Engineering: Regional Southeast environmental and stream restoration engineering firm. Comparable niche focus and regional customer overlap, smaller scale than North State.
Broad incumbents
- Stantec: Global engineering and environmental services firm with a restoration practice serving municipalities and developers. Competes for larger integrated water/environmental mandates where North State participates as a sub or design-build partner.
- Tetra Tech: Large environmental and engineering consulting firm with significant stream restoration and watershed practice. Overlaps with NSE on federally funded water resources and stormwater work.
- SWCA Environmental Consultants: Environmental consulting and natural resources management firm with restoration and permitting capabilities. Comparable customer base in government and mitigation banking with broader service scope.
- AECOM: Global infrastructure and environmental services firm pursuing large federal water resources and resilience contracts. Overlaps with NSE on major federally funded stream and dam projects as competitor or prime contractor.
Direct peers
- Wildlands Engineering: Southeast-based stream and wetland restoration contractor with mitigation bank services. Directly competes for the same NC/regional agency and mitigation-banker work as North State.
- Resource Environmental Solutions (RES): Largest US turnkey stream and wetland mitigation/restoration provider offering design, construction, and mitigation banking. Directly comparable service portfolio and customer base (government, mitigation bankers, conservation groups) to North State Environmental.
- Ecological Restoration & Management (ER&M): Stream and wetland restoration contractor active across the Eastern US with design-build services. Comparable service mix, project delivery model, and government/nonprofit client base.
- Biohabitats: Ecological restoration firm specializing in stream, wetland, and river restoration with design-build delivery. Highly comparable niche focus, technical domain expertise, and customer profile.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
North State Environmental social profiles
Digital presenceNorth State Environmental financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
North State Environmental leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
North State Environmental funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
North State Environmental M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about North State Environmental
What does North State Environmental do?
North State Environmental is an environmental and civil construction company that delivers stream and wetland restoration, dam removal and repair, ecological clearing, retention basin construction, civil roadway and site work, and erosion control services. Projects are executed for government agencies, nonprofit conservation organizations, mitigation banks, universities, and private companies across North America using design-build and design-bid-build delivery models. The firm operates as a project-based construction contractor specializing in ecological infrastructure.
Is North State Environmental a public or private company?
North State Environmental is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was North State Environmental founded?
North State Environmental was founded in 1994. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is North State Environmental based?
North State Environmental is headquartered in Winston Salem, United States, in the North America region.
How does North State Environmental make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Environmental Construction Projects are the primary driver. The others are civil Site Work Construction.
Who are North State Environmental's main competitors?
Ecosystem Investment Partners is listed as an others. Three Oaks Engineering is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Stantec, Tetra Tech, SWCA Environmental Consultants and AECOM. Direct peers are Wildlands Engineering, Resource Environmental Solutions (RES), Ecological Restoration & Management (ER&M) and Biohabitats.
Does North State Environmental have an API?
No public API is recorded for North State Environmental.
What industry is North State Environmental in?
North State Environmental's product category is Environmental Construction Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMAFAA, Site Preparation & Civil Works (Clearing, Grading, Earthworks, Roads), with a secondary code of EUAMAFAM, Environmental & Permitting Compliance During Construction (Erosion Control, Wildlife Mitigation, Monitoring). Its NAICS code is 237 and its SIC code is 1600.