On April 1, 1996, EnviroForensics officially opened its doors, even though it had no office. What began as an idea sketched on a paper placemat has grown into a company built on integrity, defined by excellence, and committed to solving meaningful environmental problems.
Founded by Steve Henshaw, the firm started with a clear focus: to solve environmental problems in a practical way and find funding sources beyond traditional government programs. Over time, that focus sharpened into a unique brand, distinct from the competition.
More Than a Technical Problem
We came to understand that environmental problems are rarely just technical. They carry regulatory implications. Financial consequences. And for many clients, a very real personal impact. Property owners are often not responsible for the contamination affecting their sites, yet they are the ones left to deal with it. Businesses can be put at risk. Plans can stall. In some cases, everything is on the line. That reality shaped how we approach our work.
Thinking Beyond Investigation
We do not just investigate environmental problems. We think through what happens next.
Over the years, that has meant developing strategies that align technical, regulatory, and financial outcomes. In some cases, that includes leveraging historical insurance coverage to fund cleanup and restore property values. In others, it means structuring a path forward that allows a project to move ahead with clarity and confidence. Because solving the problem is not just about understanding the contamination. It is about ensuring the outcome is manageable for the people involved.
A Deliberate Approach to Risk
Just as importantly, we are deliberate about when and how we act.
Environmental investigation is not without risk. The wrong step, taken at the wrong time, can create obligations that did not previously exist.
That is why we approach each project with intention.
We strategize and develop a plan before collecting data.
We define the “what” before venturing into the unknown.
We do not create a problem without understanding how it will be managed.
That discipline has become one of the defining characteristics of our work.
Over the past 30 years, we have earned our reputation by doing the right thing and advocating for those who need a trusted partner. We are fortunate to do work that makes a difference, cleaning up the environment, helping preserve family businesses, and restoring properties in ways that strengthen the communities they serve.
A Culture That Drives the Work
The ability to do this work consistently and over decades comes down to people.
EnviroForensics has been built by a team that shares a common mindset:
We rely on each other’s strengths.
We are accountable for our commitments.
We stay adaptable and keep our eyes forward.
That culture is what allows us to take on complex challenges with confidence and deliver results that matter.
It shows up in how we collaborate across disciplines.
It shows up in how we guide clients through uncertainty.
And it shows up in our willingness to evolve as the industry and our clients’ needs continue to change.
We work hard.
We celebrate progress.
We give back to the communities we serve.
Most importantly, we continue to build a company where people can do meaningful work and grow in the process.
Looking Ahead
Thirty years in, our focus remains the same.
Do the right thing.
Solve complex problems.
And ensure that every step forward is one our clients are prepared to take.
One of the great rewards of this work is the opportunity to wear the “white hat.” We are the ones helping clean up the environment, often on behalf of the “little guy.”
Our work is challenging and requires a range of expertise, including technical, regulatory, legal, business, community advocacy, and, at times, even political navigation. That complexity is what makes the work meaningful.
We can take pride in what we accomplished and, in the impact, we continue to have. EnviroForensics has achieved regulatory closure on more sites with complex chlorinated solvent releases than any environmental consulting firm, reflecting both our expertise and our commitment to seeing problems through to resolution.
If you’re facing a complex environmental challenge, start with a conversation. The right approach begins with understanding what comes next. Contact us today.