By: Teresa Harris, ҰƵapp Principal Scientist and Erin Abel, ҰƵapp Senior Environmental Geologist
Every year, we look forward to and one of its most unique traditions: .
At first glance, an arcade-game competition might seem like an unusual gathering for environmental professionals. But after attending over the years, we’ve come to appreciate what makes the event so valuable.
The games aren’t really the point. Although, they are a lot of fun.
Last year, Erin had the privilege of leading the ҰƵapp team to a Do-Duck-Athon championship, so we’d be remiss if we didn’t admit we’re hoping to defend the title this year. But what keeps people coming back isn’t the competition. It’s the opportunity to connect with clients, regulators, consultants, contractors, attorneys and industry partners in a relaxed setting that feels completely different from a traditional conference.
When you spend an afternoon playing arcade games together, barriers come down and conversations happen naturally. Those conversations often spark new ideas, strengthen partnerships and lay the groundwork for future collaboration.
And in our industry, that matters.
Environmental restoration projects are rarely defined by a single challenge or a single solution. Whether restoring abandoned mine lands, addressing legacy contamination, revitalizing former industrial properties or supporting complex remediation efforts, success depends on bringing together diverse perspectives and working toward a shared vision for the future.
At ҰƵapp, we’ve seen firsthand how strong relationships can help move projects forward. They create opportunities for collaboration, foster trust among stakeholders and help teams navigate complex technical, regulatory and community considerations. Some of the most meaningful progress happens when clients, regulators, technical specialists and community partners come together around a common goal: restoring environments, supporting economic vitality and helping communities thrive.
That’s what makes Do-Duck-Athon special.
Beyond the games and friendly competition, it’s an opportunity to strengthen the relationships that help turn challenges into solutions. It’s where conversations begin, ideas are exchanged and connections are built that can make a lasting impact long after the event is over.
As a sponsor of this year’s event, we’re excited to reconnect with colleagues, meet new faces and share more about how ҰƵapp supports environmental restoration and abandoned mine land projects across the U.S. And yes, we’ll be doing our best to defend that 2025 arcade championship along the way.
We hope to see you there!
Teresa Harris
Principal Scientist
is a Principal Scientist at ҰƵapp, bringing over a decade of experience in environmental consulting with a focus on groundwater, environmental compliance and sustainable solutions. She plays a key role in supporting public and private sector clients in addressing complex environmental challenges across industries such as pipelines, transportation, water and energy.
Teresa is a key contributor to project execution, corporate strategy, client engagement and business development across the southwestern United States. She is committed to leveraging expertise in environmental compliance and groundwater monitoring to drive sustainable outcomes, with a notable focus on aiding rural Arizona communities in utilizing EPA and ADEQ Brownfields Program funding to maximize environmental and economic benefits.
Erin Abel
Environmental Scientist
is an environmental scientist with ҰƵapp whose experience includes environmental restoration, field investigations, sampling programs, water quality monitoring and site assessments. With a background in environmental science and a passion for problem-solving, Erin enjoys working collaboratively with clients and project teams to develop practical solutions to environmental challenges. She values opportunities to learn from others, share knowledge and build the relationships that help projects — and communities — succeed.