All Things Natural, and the Spaces in Between
Environmental, Agriculture, and Climate Science
From space weather, to drones monitoring crops, to building climate resilient communities, to sea floor mapping, Lewis-Burke is positioned to help advance basic and applied research required to understand and address complex problems across the environmental and agricultural science and technology fields.
Results Speak Volumes
Environment and Agriculture
Authorization of Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AGARDA)
Client: Leading agricultural universities
Lewis-Burke worked closely with Senate Majority and Minority staff to provide input for the new Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AGARDA) Pilot, authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill. This included everything from the general scope of the program to technical assistance on specific mechanisms AGARDA would be authorized to use.
Environment and Agriculture
Elevating the Profile of Coastal Sustainability
Client: Leading Research University
To support a university client’s multi-million-dollar investment in a new, interdisciplinary coastal sustainability initiative, Lewis-Burke developed and successfully executed a federal relations strategy to:
(1) raise the profile of the Institute among its peer institutions, key decision-makers at federal agencies, and Members of Congress; and
(2) position the university for federal funding opportunities in sustainability research.
This case study exemplifies Lewis-Burke’s convening power and ability to navigate the environmental interests of relevant federal agencies.
Environment and Agriculture
Leading Advocacy for Wildfire Research Funding
Client: Leading Research University
Lewis-Burke worked with a large public research university to initiate an appropriations strategy to increase federal wildfire research funding and coordination. By working with university researchers, university government relations, and members of Congress, Lewis-Burke helped a university get out ahead of its peer institutions on an issue that is quickly gaining national attention.
Environment and Agriculture
Society Engagement on International Response to Desert Locust
Client: A Well-Known Scientific Society
Lewis-Burke Associates introduced a scientific society to the contacts at the Food and Agricultural Organization who were leading on the global response to the desert locust crisis in the Horn of Africa.
Forging New Pathways
Redefining Advocacy
Our clients benefit from diverse firm-wide expertise that enables congressional and federal engagement with the large array of agencies, congressional committees, and outside groups that impact environmental and agricultural research and policy. Research organizations must be savvy to navigate this complex and often partisan landscape and make a difference amongst the major industry and environmental advocacy groups vying for dominance. Lewis-Burke identifies and pairs research expertise with agency needs, forges new relationships, and uses creative approaches that yield long-term success.
Trends to Watch
There is an increasing need for scientific research that bridges the gap between basic and applied research, particularly to address climate change and related impacts on our communities.
The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the agricultural sector to its limits, causing government agencies to develop programs and policies aimed at protecting the food supply against future threats.
Institutions with robust international engagement will have an advantage in opportunities to address global environmental challenges, influence environmental policy, and compete for funding.
Research convergence is occurring between environmental sciences and other disciplines like public health, biomedical sciences, law, and social science. Meaningful research in these areas of cross pollination will guide future policy toward effective change.
Agriculture
Agriculture touches every person every day, yet the role of agricultural research has been underappreciated at the federal level. More agencies are recognizing the need to invest in agricultural innovation. From energy to biomedical to national security, federal engagement in agriculture is no longer limited to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Lewis-Burke cultivates sophisticated holistic strategies to ensure client expertise is showcased across the federal paradigm, resulting in new opportunities for both influence and funding. Our team couples federal engagement with a coordinated congressional strategy for wins in both authorizing and appropriations legislation.
Environment
Lewis-Burke’s environmental coverage is all inclusive, tracking new opportunities across the federal environmental research enterprise to investigate questions relating to earth, air, fire, water, society, and their interactions. Through maintaining close collaborations with congressional offices, congressional oversight committees, and federal funding agencies, we provide advance intelligence and context to clients to enable them to operate ahead of the curve, well positioned to lead, and ultimately be successful advancing critical environmental research.
Climate
Climate change impacts all regions of the world, including the United States, across many sectors of the economy. We partner with clients to develop strategies aimed at accelerating technological breakthroughs and innovative approaches to understand, prepare for, and respond to the climate challenge. Our team has expert knowledge of the 13+ federal agencies and departments that support climate-related research. As a trusted partner, we have shaped climate programs, under all budget scenarios. By aligning client strengths with executive and legislative opportunities, we have helped clients increase funding for their climate program initiatives.
Let's Get Started
Questions. Conversations. Relationships.
Humanity takes its toll on our planet. The Environment and Agriculture team at Lewis-Burke are passionate about supporting this critical sector. We are invested in maintaining the government, academic, policy, and community connections required to advocate for our clients and make a difference. After all, change doesn’t happen slowly; it happens with purpose.