David Miller/Associates, Inc.

02/02/2026

Happy World Wetlands Day! Today, let’s take a moment to celebrate the remarkable wetland ecosystems that are often hidden gems within Pennsylvania's stunning landscapes. Here’s why the wetlands are so vital:

1. Biodiversity
Wetlands are nature’s showcase of life, supporting an extraordinary range of plants and animals. These thriving ecosystems provide habitat for countless species, from lush native flora to rare and sensitive wildlife. Pennsylvania's wetlands are home to Beaver, River Otters, Wood Ducks, Great Blue Herons, Marsh Wrens, Bald Eagles, Osprey, Spotted Salamander, Wood Frogs, Painted Turtles, Sunfish, Brook Trout, Dragonflies, Freshwater Mussels, Crayfish and many more.

2. Water Purification
Wetlands function as nature’s water filtration systems. They naturally trap and cleanse pollutants, sediments, and excess nutrients.

3. Recreation and Inspiration
Pennsylvania wetlands offer endless opportunities for locals and visitors alike—fishing, hiking, birdwatching, photography, or simply soaking in the scenery. These wetlands are a defining feature of what makes our state beautiful and protecting them ensures future generations can enjoy their beauty. Stewardship of these landscapes is central to who we are at DM/A.

4. Carbon Storage
Wetlands are quiet champions in the fight against climate change. As powerful carbon sinks, they absorb and store carbon dioxide, helping reduce the impacts of global warming. In fact, wetlands store nearly 30% of the world’s land-based carbon.

5. Fen Wetlands: A Rare Ecosystem
The fen wetlands are groundwater-fed, peat-forming wetlands that support unique plant and animal communities and form where water rich in minerals flows through the ground. While they are rare, they are hydrologically linked to region rivers like the Allegheny, French Creek, and the Susquehanna rivers. They play a critical role in keeping the broader watershed systems clean and healthy.

Protecting these extraordinary wetlands means protecting the natural heritage that defines Pennsylvania.



Photo by Jay Brand: https://www.pexels.com/photo/great-blue-heron-in-flight-over-forest-canopy-33338113

01/27/2026

While DM/A supports many local causes, we love when our staff adopts a cause of their own.

Next month, Jasmine Lee, ASLA Associate will be joining eMi - Engineering Ministries International. eMi helps other non-profit agencies around the world design and build the spaces they need to spread hope in their area.

They are partnering with Prakash Peterson Life Education Foundation (PPLEF) plans to establish a high-standard school supporting the dignity of all students and provides access for all children in their community. Heavily populated by rice paddy farms, their 4.3-acre lot is in rural Gundugolanu, India. Jasmine will use her training as a Landscape Architectural Designer to help PPLEF and eMi develop a concept design for the land where the school will be situated. “A concept design explores various programmatic layouts of a site to align with the client’s goals,” Jasmine shared, ”while responding to existing opportunities and constraints. This critical phase enables the Prakash Peterson Life Education Foundation to brainstorm the ideal flow, function, and organization of the school grounds. Selected concepts are then further developed and refined during the schematic design phase.”

You're a good egg, Jasmine! We're glad you're on our team.

01/20/2026

Project Profile: Pennsylvania CareerLink
Location: 1046 Manheim Pike | Lancaster, PA 17601

DM/A assisted Deerin Companies with the land planning and site engineering design for the Pennsylvania CareerLink build on 1046 Manheim Pike in Lancaster city. Just outside of Lancaster City, the help center is west of where Manheim and Fruitville Pikes merge into North Prince Street, and north of the Lancaster city boundary line.

DM/A specifically assisted Deerin with the design of the site for the +/- $3.1 million building to provide a creative and cost-effective project that met all zoning and planning requirements.

For this project, we provided the following services:

– Concept Plan
– Zoning Support Services
- Design Development
– Final Land Development Plan Application
– PCSM Plan Implementation

Completed in 2021, PA CareerLink moved from their North Charlotte Street office into the new location on November 15, 2021. According to Lancaster News Paper Online, "CareerLink is a publicly funded one-stop service center for people seeking jobs...It's staff teaches workplace skills, job-search skills, resume writing, and many other skills. [They] also help employers seeking employees...CareerLink with about 50 employees, will be joined at the new site by the Workforce Development Board, with eight employees. They will occupy 18,000 square feet, compared with 32,000 square feet on North Charlotte Street."

Deerin Companies - the building developer and landlord - ensured the building included an open floor plan area to increase innovation and collaboration, a flex-space for classrooms, and a breakroom for jobseekers with the goal of blending in-person and virtual options for CareerLink. The new building also included decorative murals, water-bottle filing stations, upgraded ceilings, lighting and doors. Speedwell Construction was the general contractor for the project.

Bill Swiernik, RLA, ASLA – DM/A’s project manager – shared, “The CareerLink project represents another example of the ability that Deerin has to see the potential for the establishment of a community resource on an underutilized urban brownfield.”

Learn more about CareerLink at jobs4lancaster.com or 717-509-5613. For more information about Deerin Companies, call (717) 735-5535



First photo by Tim Mekeel/LNP Staff Writer
Second and third photos by PA CareerLink

01/06/2026

Our 2025 Year-In-Review eNewsletter is officially out, and we can’t wait for you to dig in.

Inside, we’re celebrating the great work our teams have been doing, sharing project highlights, and giving a big thank-you to everyone whose hard work keeps things moving (literally!). It’s a quick, easy read packed with wins we can all be proud of, helpful staff updates, and stories that show how we’re better when we work together. Click the link and let us know what you think—we’d love to hear your thoughts.

https://mailchi.mp/c44fd7323bae/lets-review-21073384

If you'd like to receive a shorter version of this every quarter, message me or email [email protected].

We’re pleased to announce Nathaniel Kurtz was certified as a Sewage Enforcement Officer (SEO) by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in May of 2025. Nate became interested in obtaining this certification to helps...

12/31/2025

As we step into a fresh New Year, let’s take a moment to appreciate everything we accomplished together. This year’s been full of hard work, milestones, and moments worth celebrating—thank you for being part of it!

Share one thing you’re proud of from this past year in the comments—and one thing you're excited to tackle in the new one.

We’ll be closed Thursday, January 1st so our hard-working staff can be with their families.

Until we’re back on Friday, we wish you a Happy New Year!

#2026

12/24/2025

There’s something magical about Christmas carols, isn’t there?

Whether we’re singing at a community event, humming along during a chilly walk, or just enjoying them with cocoa by the fire, these timeless tunes bring us together like few things can. They remind us that no matter how busy or stressful life gets, we all have a reason to pause, smile, and maybe even belt out “Jingle Bells” like no one’s listening (even if your dog disagrees).

Here's a video of Top 50 Christmas songs you can sing along with: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI2_0tL3EEI&list=RDRI2_0tL3EEI&start_radio=1.

Want to spread the joy? Drop your favorite carol in the comments.

We’ll be closed both Thursday, December 25th so our dedicated team can celebrate with their families and perhaps sing a carol or two.

Until we’re back on Friday, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

12/16/2025

Let’s give a big shoutout to our incredible Sewage Enforcement Officers here at DM/A:

Charity Hain, R.L.A., S.E.O., L.E.E.D. A.P.
Doug Cwienk, P.G., S.E.O.
Nate Kurtz, S.E.O.

They do the work most people don’t want to think about! From inspecting septic systems, conducting site testing, enforcing regulations to investigating complaints, our SEO's protect our water sources with skill, and dedication. Without S.E.O.'s, improperly treated sewage could contaminate groundwater, streams, and homes—leading to serious health risks. So while their work isn’t always visible, it’s absolutely essential.

These behind-the-scenes heroes help keep our communities safe and clean. Their attention to detail and commitment to public health is something we all benefit from—every single day.

Got a story or thank-you to share? Drop it in the comments—we’d love to celebrate their work with you. Huge thanks to our team!

12/09/2025

At DM/A, giving back to our community isn’t just something we do—it’s something we believe in.

During the year, DM/A donated to the following organizations:

East Donegal Township Music in the Park
Elizabethtown Boys Soccer
Hempfield Band Booster Club
Lancaster County Conservatory
Lititz Run Watershed Alliance
Pennsylvania Environmental Council
Warwick Field Hockey Parents Association
Young Men's Business League

For the Christmas season, our staff are teaming up to support—Lancaster County Food Hub—a local charity through food donations that make a real difference in people’s lives. Huge thanks to everyone who contributed—you’ve helped build more than just structures… you’ve built hope.

From food drives to contributions, every little bit added up—thanks to the generosity and heart of our amazing team. When we lift each other up, we all benefit.

Know a great local cause we should support next? Drop it in the comments—we’re always looking for ways to spread the good.



Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/food-and-drinks-inside-the-carton-box-6590920

12/02/2025

In September, Marty Peak, P.E., joined our team as a Senior Engineer.

He received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Technology from Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Marty has worked in the industry for 14 years and serves on the Planning Commission for Manor Township until December 31, 2025.

His perfect workday includes staying focused while completing tasks efficiently and producing high-quality work. Marty and his spouse - Britany - take care of their son, 2 dogs (Hank pictured), and a cat. He enjoys golf, watching UFC events, and spending time outdoors with family and friends. Marty's favorite place is anywhere he can be present and enjoy the moment, and favorite possession is his home.

We provide services to both public and private clients in civil engineering, landscape architecture, municipal services, planning, geology, and surveying. Please contact us at [email protected] or 717-898-3402 for more information.

11/26/2025

At DM/A, we're pressing pause this Thanksgiving and Black Friday to recharge, reflect, and enjoy time with our loved ones—and we hope you are too! Whether you're a client, partner, or part of our extended community, your support has helped us design smarter, build stronger, and grow together and we are ever so grateful to you.

We’ll be closed both Thursday and Friday, November 27th–28th, so our amazing team can savor a well-earned rest and maybe a second helping of pie.

Until we’re back on Monday, we wish you a thankful, and relaxing holiday weekend.



Original photo by Tima Miroshnichenko: www.pexels.com/photo/a-person-holding-stainless-steel-fork-and-knife-slicing-cooked-meat-5591234

11/18/2025

Things got a little bit spooky and a whole lot spectacular at DM/A’s annual Costume Contest & Moe's Southwest Grill Lunch—and let’s just say, the creativity was off the charts! From blasts from the past to full-on transformations, our team really brought the Halloween spirit.

Big congrats to this year’s winner - Doug Cwienk, P.G., S.E.O. - who walked away with the legendary DM/A pumpkin trophy and a $50 Randazzo’s gift card (because who doesn’t love a tasty reward?).

Pictured in this order are:

Douglas Cwienk
Daniel M. Kaldas, P.E.
Scott Hain, Charity Hain, RLA, SEO, LEED AP, and baby Elise
Rosa Malloy
Martin Peak, III, P.E.
Mike Waples and Nick Ebersole, P.E.
V. Lynn Kolb
Milton (Jasmine Lee's Furry Family Member)

Thanks to everyone who dressed up, voted, and cheered each other on—you made it a blast!

Got a favorite costume or funny moment from the day? Drop it in the comments—we’d love to relive the fun with you!

11/11/2025

At DM/A, we’re proud to take a moment this Veterans Day to honor the incredible men and women who have served in our armed forces—especially those within our own circle—Brent M. Detter, R.L.A., L.E.E.D. G.A.

Your courage, discipline, and dedication don’t just inspire us—they shape the values we bring to every project we take on. Let’s continue building a future together, grounded in gratitude and strengthened by the values our veterans fought to protect.