Meet Amanda Bixby, LHG, RG, Project Hydrogeologist

Where are you from and where do you live now?

I grew up in Wenatchee, Washington. In 2014, I moved to Bellingham, Washington, to attend Western Washington University and have lived here ever since.

What do you do at MFA?

As an environmental geologist, I assess potentially contaminated sites to identify issues for remediation. I lead various types of fieldwork including soil, groundwater, surface water, sediment, and vapor sampling.

What’s rewarding about your job?

By assessing environmental conditions, I ensure that remedial actions are protective of human health and the environment. Additionally, my work enables the redevelopment of contaminated properties into community assets. With population growth and rising property costs, land reuse is becoming even more important.

Why is what you do important?

Understanding the environmental and geologic conditions at a site is key to designing efficient remedies that are protective of human and ecological health.

What’s your favorite restaurant/place to go in your area?

My favorite restaurant in Bellingham is The Black Cat. You can’t beat the pesto gouda chicken with crispy brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes!

What skills do you bring to your work?

I have a strong attention to detail, solid technical background in geology, and a passion for protecting our natural resources.

What do you like to do off the clock?

During the week I like to sneak in a few after-work mountain bike rides at Galbraith Mountain. On the weekends, I enjoy rock climbing in nearby Squamish, British Columbia.

What’s the best advice you’ve received from a work colleague?

Phil Wiescher once compared working at a consulting firm to being part of a collection of independent contractors. Your coworkers each have a unique skillset and teamwork is key to successful project completion.

If you were not a geologist, what would you be?

I was a staff reporter and editor on my high school newspaper for two years and briefly considered majoring in journalism. I enjoy the short, informative sentence structure of news writing.

What’s on your bucket list?

I would love to climb the Chief, a 1,368-foot rock wall in Squamish.

What was your favorite childhood movie/TV show?

When I was little, my grandparents, who live in Alaska, got me a wildlife sing-along/documentary called The Adventures of Monty the Moose: Amazing Alaska Animals. I loved watching the brown bears catch salmon in their paws. That movie helped spark my interest in studying the environment.