Across North America, agencies, engineers and conservation groups are investing in innovative solutions that balance transportation needs with environmental stewardship. Projects like the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing and Willard Springs Wildlife Overpass demonstrate how thoughtful design can reconnect habitats, reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and create safer travel corridors for both animals and people. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), wildlife crossings play an important role in improving habitat connectivity and reducing conflicts between wildlife and transportation networks.¹

What is a wildlife crossing?

A wildlife crossing is a structure designed to help animals safely cross human-made barriers such as highways, roads, railways and canals.

Common types of wildlife crossings include:

• Wildlife overpasses or land bridges
• Wildlife underpasses and tunnels
• Culverts designed for animal movement
• Rope bridges for arboreal species
• Aquatic crossings for fish and amphibians

These structures are often paired with wildlife fencing that guides animals toward designated crossing points, helping reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve crossing effectiveness.²

Not every wildlife crossing looks the same

Wildlife crossings are not one-size-fits-all.

Different species prefer different crossing types based on their behavior, habitat and comfort level. According to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, some animals are more likely to use open overpasses with natural vegetation and visibility, while others prefer underpasses, tunnels or culverts. Factors such as vegetation, noise levels, lighting and available cover can all influence whether animals use a crossing successfully.³

As a result, modern wildlife crossings are designed around target species, local habitats and migration patterns rather than a standard design approach.

Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing: A global benchmark

The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is one of the largest wildlife overpasses in the world.⁴

Spanning Highway 101 in Los Angeles County, California, the crossing reconnects habitat within the Santa Monica Mountains, creating safe passage for mountain lions, deer, bobcats and other wildlife.

Notable features include:

• Native vegetation designed to replicate surrounding habitat
• A crossing width of approximately 210 feet
• Public-private partnerships supporting project funding
• Collaboration among Caltrans, the National Park Service, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Annenberg Foundation and conservation organizations

The project has become an international model for wildlife connectivity and habitat restoration in urbanized environments.⁴

Willard Springs Wildlife Overpass: Safety meets conservation

The Willard Springs Wildlife Overpass, located along Interstate 17 near Flagstaff, Arizona, addresses a corridor with a long history of wildlife-vehicle collisions.⁵

Led by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) in partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), the project improves driver safety while restoring migration routes for elk, deer and other wildlife.

The crossing includes:

• A dedicated wildlife overpass
• Extensive wildlife fencing
• Habitat connectivity improvements
• Long-term wildlife monitoring

Projects like Willard Springs demonstrate how transportation safety and wildlife conservation can work together.

Other notable wildlife crossings across North America

Wildlife crossings are becoming increasingly common throughout North America as agencies recognize their environmental and safety benefits.

Banff National Park, Canada

Banff National Park is home to one of the most studied wildlife crossing systems in the world. Wildlife overpasses, underpasses and fencing have reduced wildlife-vehicle collisions by more than 80 percent, according to Parks Canada.⁶

I-90 Snoqualmie Pass, Washington

The I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project includes multiple wildlife crossings that support species ranging from elk and deer to amphibians and smaller mammals.⁷

Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge, Texas

Located in San Antonio, this innovative crossing combines habitat connectivity, recreational space and urban design.

Trapper’s Point Wildlife Crossing, Wyoming

One of the earliest large-scale wildlife crossing projects in the United States, Trapper’s Point helps maintain critical migration routes for pronghorn and mule deer.³

Who is involved in wildlife crossing projects?

Successful wildlife crossings require collaboration among multiple organizations and disciplines.

Typical stakeholders include:

• The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
• Departments of Transportation (DOTs)
• Federal agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service
• State wildlife agencies
• Conservation organizations and nonprofits
• Engineers and transportation planners
• Landscape architects and ecologists
• Local governments and communities

This collaboration helps ensure animal crossings meet transportation, environmental and community objectives.

Why wildlife crossings matter

Wildlife crossings provide measurable benefits for both wildlife and people.

Benefits include:

• Reduced wildlife-vehicle collisions
• Improved driver safety
• Restored habitat connectivity
• Protection of wildlife migration routes
• Improved biodiversity and ecosystem health
• Support for environmental and regulatory goals¹

They also help agencies and project teams address growing public expectations for environmentally responsible transportation projects.

Frequently asked questions about wildlife crossings

Do wildlife crossings actually work?

Yes. Research from Parks Canada and transportation agencies across North America shows that wildlife crossings combined with fencing can reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by more than 80 percent in some locations.⁶

What animals use wildlife crossings?

Species vary by region but commonly include deer, elk, moose, mountain lions, bears, bobcats, pronghorn, reptiles, amphibians and smaller mammals.

Why is fencing important in wildlife crossings?

Wildlife fencing helps guide animals toward safe crossing locations. Wildlife fencing plays a critical role in directing animals to designated crossing points and maximizing the effectiveness of wildlife crossings.²

Why do some wildlife crossings go over roads while others go under them?

The design depends on the species being protected and the surrounding landscape. Larger animals such as elk, deer and pronghorn often prefer open overpasses, while some species are more comfortable using underpasses, tunnels or culverts. Wildlife biologists evaluate migration routes, habitat conditions and animal behavior to determine the most effective design.³

Where are wildlife crossings most needed?

Wildlife crossings are most effective in areas where roads, highways or transportation corridors intersect major migration routes, wildlife corridors or sensitive habitats.

Where Natina fits in

Wildlife crossings are not just about the overpass or underpass. They are about all the supporting elements that make these projects successful.

Wildlife fencing, guardrails, retaining walls, sound barriers, structural steel, rock stabilization and drainage features all contribute to a project’s performance, appearance and acceptance by the surrounding community.

As wildlife crossings become more sophisticated, project teams are paying closer attention to how these elements fit within the surrounding landscape.

Natina’s reactive color treatment helps steel, concrete and rock features blend into their environment with natural, earthy brown tones while maintaining the durability of the underlying material. Rather than drawing attention to fencing, steel or concrete, Natina helps these elements complement the surrounding landscape.

Where Natina can be used

• Wildlife fencing and animal guidance systems
• Chain-link and perimeter fencing
• Guardrails and roadside safety barriers
• Structural steel on overpasses and crossings
• Concrete retaining walls, abutments and sound barriers
• Rock, riprap and slope stabilization features
• Utility and maintenance access structures

Why it matters

Wildlife crossing projects are designed to reconnect habitats while minimizing impacts on the surrounding environment.

Natina helps project teams reduce visual impact, support environmental objectives and create a more natural appearance for the fencing, steel, concrete and rock features that make these projects possible. It is environmentally safe, low maintenance and suitable for use around sensitive ecosystems.

Connect with Natina

Planning a wildlife crossing, transportation corridor improvement or environmentally sensitive project?

Natina works with transportation agencies, engineers, landscape architects and contractors to help fencing, steel, concrete and rock features blend into their surroundings while maintaining long-term performance.

Contact Natina to discuss your project and learn how we can support your environmental and aesthetic goals.

866-797-6589
info@natina.com
www.natina.com

References

1. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Wildlife Crossings Program.
   https://highways.dot.gov/environment/wildlife-crossings
   
2. Western Transportation Institute, Wildlife Crossing Research.
   https://westerntransportationinstitute.org/research_projects/wildlife-crossings/
   
3. Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Over, Under, Around or Through?.
   https://wgfd.wyo.gov/wyoming-wildlife/wyoming-wildlife-magazine/over-under-around-or-through
   
4. National Wildlife Federation, Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing.
   https://www.nwf.org/Our-Work/Wildlife-Conservation/Wildlife-Crossings/Wallis-Annenberg
   
5. Arizona Department of Transportation, Willard Springs Wildlife Overpass.
   https://azdot.gov/projects/northcentral-district-projects/interstate-17-wildlife-overpass
   
6. Parks Canada, Banff Wildlife Crossings.
   https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/nature/conservation/eco/corridors
   
7. Washington State Department of Transportation, I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project.
   https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/major-projects/i-90-snoqualmie-pass-east
   
8. U.S. Forest Service, Wildlife Connectivity Resources.
   https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildlife-crossings
   

Image credits

• Hero image: Aerial wildlife crossing over highway. Photo credit: bbsferrari/Getty Images.
• Turtle crossing warning sign along a roadway. Photo credit: Tom Fisk/Pexels.
• Square wildlife underpass crossing beneath a roadway: Photo credit: CreativeNature_nl/Getty Images
• Wildlife overpass spanning a highway corridor. Photo courtesy of Natina.
• Wildlife crossing overpass over the Trans-Canada Highway, designed to support wildlife migration and habitat connectivity. Photo credit: Steve Gadomski/Getty Images.
• Aerial view of a wildlife crossing structure spanning a highway. Photo credit: bbsferrari/Getty Images.

The post Wildlife crossings are evolving and the details matter more than ever appeared first on Natina.

Across the United States, utilities are rethinking the materials used to support transmission and distribution systems. While wood poles have long been the standard, growing concerns around wildfire risk, durability, lifecycle cost and environmental impact are accelerating the shift toward galvanized steel utility structures.

Why utilities are moving to galvanized steel structures

Galvanized steel poles and structures address many of the risks associated with wood while supporting modern grid hardening initiatives. Since steel does not burn, galvanized steel structures significantly reduce the risk of ignition and structural failure during wildfire events, making them especially beneficial in fire prone regions. According to the California Public Utilities Commission’s Wildfire Mitigation Plans, this non combustible characteristic is a key advantage for utilities seeking to minimize fire related vulnerabilities.

In addition to fire resistance, galvanized steel offers a notably longer service life. Many galvanized steel utility poles achieve lifespans up to 80 years or more, depending on environmental exposure. This extended durability reduces replacement cycles and lowers total cost of ownership over time, as noted by the American Galvanizers Association. Steel is also immune to rot, insect activity and biological decay, and hot dip galvanization provides corrosion protection across a wide range of climates, including high humidity and coastal regions, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

Unlike wood, galvanized steel maintains consistent structural properties and predictable performance across installations. This uniformity simplifies engineering, inspection and long term asset management, ensuring utilities can rely on a material that behaves consistently throughout its service life.

Lifecycle cost and reliability advantages

While galvanized steel structures may carry a higher upfront cost than wood, utilities are increasingly shifting their focus toward lifecycle performance rather than initial expense. When long term factors such as reduced inspection frequency, fewer replacements, improved safety outcomes, lower wildfire risk and greater overall reliability are considered, galvanized steel often provides a significantly lower total cost of ownership over the life of the structure. This broader lifecycle perspective aligns with findings from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which highlights how durable materials contribute to improved long term system economics.

Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

Supporting permitting and community expectations

Public and regulatory scrutiny of utility infrastructure continues to increase, particularly in scenic, residential and environmentally sensitive areas. Utilities are now expected to consider visual impact alongside performance and safety.

Steel structures provide a durable foundation, and when paired with thoughtful design, aesthetics and mitigation strategies, they support smoother permitting and stronger community acceptance.

Where color treatments come into play

As utilities transition from wood to steel, visual considerations often emerge. Bare, shiny galvanized steel can appear bright or industrial in certain settings.

In response, some utilities incorporate reactive surface treatments that work with galvanized steel to soften glare, naturalize the structures and improve visual integration. Natina’s earth-tone brown finish is designed specifically for this purpose. Unlike paint or coatings, Natina does not sit on top of the surface but reacts with the steel to create rustic brown tones while preserving corrosion protection. This allows utilities to adopt steel infrastructure without sacrificing visual compatibility in sensitive or high-visibility areas.

The future of utility infrastructure

The move away from wood poles reflects a broader shift toward resilient, fire-resistant and long-lasting infrastructure. Galvanized steel structures are increasingly specified across transmission, distribution and substation projects nationwide.

As grid demands increase and environmental conditions grow more extreme, utilities are prioritizing materials that support safety, durability, lifecycle performance and community expectations.

Learn more

Explore how Natina enhances utility structures across transmission, distribution and substation projects on our steel structures page.

The post Why galvanized steel utility structures are replacing wood poles appeared first on Natina.

Overhead view of a Natina-treated lattice tower.

Materials That Meet Modern Engineering Standards

Imagine a line of power poles stretching across a remote ridgeline. The sun shines, birds chirp and all seems calm. Suddenly, the wind picks up and lightning strikes igniting dry brush. A wildfire erupts. In moments, that serene landscape becomes a battleground against nature’s fury.
If those poles are wooden, the outcome might be dire.

This scenario underscores why grid hardening has become a nationwide imperative.

What Is Grid Hardening?

Grid hardening is preparing utility systems to handle disruption before it strikes. By designing infrastructure to withstand threats like wildfires, hurricanes and ice storms, utilities can significantly limit disruptions and restore power faster. It also means responding quickly with the right materials and deploying to restore power safely. When done right, grid hardening helps utilities protect what matters, deliver reliable service and support energy demand in an increasingly electrified world.¹

Natina-treated pole installed for grid hardening and durability.

The Limitations of Wooden Poles

Wooden utility poles have long been a staple due to their affordability and ease of installation. However, they present several challenges:

• Fire Risk: Wood is combustible, posing significant hazards in wildfire-prone regions.
• Decay and Pests: Susceptible to rot, insects and environmental degradation.
• Variable Lifespan: Many utilities report average service lives between 30 to 50 years.²
• Environmental Concerns: Treated wood can leach chemicals into the soil, raising ecological issues.

These factors contribute to increased maintenance costs and potential service disruptions.

The Advantages of Galvanized Steel

Galvanized steel poles offer a reliable alternative, addressing many of the shortcomings of wood:

• Longevity: Lifespans of 50 to 80 years depending on conditions.³
• Fire Resistance: Non-combustible, reducing wildfire risks.
• Durability: Resistant to pests, rot and environmental wear.
• Lower Maintenance: Requires less frequent inspections and treatments.
• Environmental Benefits: Recyclable and free from harmful chemical treatments.

The long-term savings and reliability make galvanized steel an attractive option for modern infrastructure.⁴

Addressing Aesthetic Concerns

Despite their functional benefits, galvanized steel poles have faced criticism for their shiny, industrial appearance, which can clash with natural landscapes and community aesthetics.

Introducing Natina: Blending Strength with Beauty

Natina offers a solution that marries the durability of galvanized steel with aesthetics. Our proprietary treatment reacts with the galvanized surface to produce a rustic brown finish, allowing poles to blend seamlessly into their surroundings.

Benefits include:

• Climate agnostic: Performs in dry, wet, humid or coastal areas
• Enhanced Aesthetics: Achieves a rustic look that complements natural environments.
• Preserved Durability: Maintains the protective qualities of galvanized steel.
• Eco-Friendly: Utilizes environmentally safe processes.
• Cost-Effective: Reduces the need for additional coatings or frequent replacements.⁵

With Natina, utilities no longer have to choose between resilience and aesthetics. They can have both.
And with the right materials, like Natina, resilience doesn’t have to come at the expense of design. You can strengthen the grid and preserve the view.

Discover how Natina is redefining energy infrastructure aesthetics. Visit How Natina Impacts Energy & Utilities to learn more.

Crews install Natina-treated lattice tower section using crane in mountainous terrain.

Footnotes:
1. Utility Pole Maintenance and Upgrades Resilience Investment Guide, U.S. Department of Energy
2. Estimated Service Life of Wood Poles, Woodpoles.org
3. Steel Distribution Poles, American Galvanizers Association
4. Take a Second Look at Steel: Hot-Dip Galvanized Steel Sustainable, American Galvanizers Association
5. Steel Utility Poles Versus Wood, Steel Times International

The post Grid Hardening Starts Today appeared first on Natina.

THE WIRE DESIRE

Chain-link is a well-known form of fencing, but are you familiar with its mesh counterpart? Wire mesh serves many purposes, including:

• Rockfall netting is a mesh frequently draped over cliffs. As the name suggests, it’s all about keeping rocks (and other debris) from falling onto roadways.
• Gabion is another form of woven steel, often used cosmetically in landscaping. You’ll also find it used for supportive reasons (retaining walls, etc.).
• Welded wire mesh is a close-knit, firm material used in holding areas (veterinary clinics and shelters, storage lockers, warehouse racking, etc.).
• Welded steel bar grating is frequently found in construction. This includes safety walls, storm drains, walkways, and other areas where load bearing is necessary.
• Galvanized wire mesh is a go-to in security, building, and agriculture, as it’s extremely durable and available in numerous weave patterns.

NATINA AND WIRE JUST MESH WELL

Chain-link and wire mesh are widely used because of their durability, but this doesn’t mean they aren’t vulnerable. Weather, extreme temperatures and everyday use can wear these materials down over time. This is where Natina Solutions comes into play.

Not only does Natina Steel Solution transform metal aesthetically, it’s also environment-friendly without any VOC’s. Take a look at just a few of the recent examples where Natina proved the ideal solution, creating wire to admire:

Nevada Division of State Parks

Abracadabra! Just like that, Natina transformed the chain-link into a rustic brown patina. Even at a short distance, against a desert backdrop, it’s virtually invisible.

Bunkerville Bicycle & Pedestrian Trail

Located between the cities of Bunkerville and Mesquite, Nevada, this pathway gets HOT. Good thing the chain-link lining the trail is coated with Natina Steel Solution, a low-maintenance option that blends in seamlessly with the terrain.

South Mountain Park/Preserve

With more than 50 miles of trails, this Arizona park is one of the largest city-managed parks in the United States. As a result, preserving such a massive area is no small feat. Phoenix looked to Natina for the gabion mattresses along the San Juan. The tan color matches the light desert sand nicely. The 3,000 square feet of Natina-coated gabion in this area controls erosion and stabilizes the roadway. Clearly, this South Mountain solution is right on point!

California Highway Fence

You’ll have to do a double-take if you hope to see the chain-link fence along Toll Road 241. The Transportation Corridor Agencies opted for the low-cost option of Natina Steel Solution over vinyl and powder-coated fencing. Clearly, the great outdoors won’t be taking a toll on this fencing!

American Family Fields of Phoenix

This project was a triple hitter, with steel posts, gates, and chain-link among the processed materials. As a result, the recent renovation of this famous ballpark (home to Milwaukee Brewers spring training) includes galvanized fencing, colored by Natina, which blends in with the rest of the stadium’s home-run landscaping.

Ketchum Challis Highway

When you’re covering miles of terrain and millions of square feet of wire mesh, you want a product that will last. The Natina Steel stain used proved to be the Ketchum catchall.

WIRE TO INSPIRE

Yes, Natina offers the ultimate disappearing act, camouflaging metal surfaces, but here’s the real magic — it’s more than just a blending solution. Our Natina Reactive Color is non-toxic and is a low-maintenance solution! We hope this look at wire leaves you inspired. As you plan your next project, contact your Natina Solution representative and discover how we can weave even more life and beauty into your design.

The post Clearly, Woven Metal & Natina Mesh Well Together appeared first on Natina.

Just how did Natina turn into the established brand and business it is today? Go from occupying a small garage to operating out of an almost 20-acre (and growing!) facility? Upgrade from the use of Brian’s truck and a small spray rig to a fleet of vehicles? Expand from offering one product at a competitive rate to specializing in a service and solutions unlike any out there? If you ask Brian, the answer comes down to a few key factors:

COURAGE, SUPPORT & PATIENCE

Whether you have a business idea you want to turn into a reality or you simply enjoy a little look back at Brian’s journey, we hope you’ll appreciate these business basics and other insights to get you started.

DARE TO DIVE

Getting an idea off the ground, while often wonderful, isn’t for the faint of heart. It takes backbone, risk and a little blind faith.

“If you have an idea you want to pursue, the short answer is just to do it,” Brian said. “You’ll never figure out if it will be a success if you don’t. If your idea meets a need, find that courage and dive in.”

ONE LEAP, MUCH TO LOSE

Brian speaks from personal experience. When he started what would become Natina, he was in a great career at a top-tier golf course, doing work he enjoyed with people he liked, including his own father! Such a position didn’t happen overnight. On top of years of work experience, Brian also went to California State Polytechnic University – Pomona and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Horticulture to get him where he was.

Even with this level of investment, Brian sacrificed it all anyway.

“Even my dad said I was crazy to walk away,” Brian laughed. “I’m not a big risk-taker, but I couldn’t shake the idea that I had to do this. I didn’t want to look at myself in the mirror 20 years down the road and wonder, what if? I found this never-say-die attitude and put everything into making my business dreams a reality. Never let anything get in your way. I learned you must believe in yourself and press on.”

GET GRITTY WITH IT

The word “hustle” gets a lot of play right now, but that’s truly what it’s all about — hustle, grit, long hours and sacrifice.

“I started Natina from the ground up,” Brian recalled. “Your mindset has to be right and getting business off the ground takes passion. It takes long hours and 100% commitment. Every day was a grind—even weekends. For the first couple of years, I was really unhappy with the weekends. They meant I had to take a break from reaching out to contacts, a luxury I didn’t have. To this day, Mondays are still my favorite day of the week. Everybody is back to work and the day is full of potential.”

BE SEEN

For many with a unique idea, this can seem counterintuitive. It can feel safer to keep original ideas close to the vest for fear of being ripped off. Of course, you want to be careful about saying too much to just anybody, but sharing with the right people can make all the difference in catapulting you forward. Of course, patents are beneficial, but they can be cost-prohibitive in the early stages of development.

“Beat down doors,” Brian recommends. “Get in front of people who can benefit from your product or idea. Get in front of people who can help you develop your idea. Don’t lift the gas pedal at all!”

SEEK SUPPORT

Brian comes back to this factor more than any other. Much of success is about recognizing where your strengths are and where you’re better off relying on the strengths of others.

“Getting very, VERY talented people to come on board and work for this company has been the biggest game-changer,” Brian emphasized. “I feel so lucky to work with the people I do—our managers and executive team. I am good at things but not everything. In the early days, I’d hire an employee as I could afford one, but it’s when I could bring on full-time support in year two and I hired Ryan Morey, now Vice President of Business Development, that things really started to change. He was my righthand man then and still is today. He and the many other brilliant team members we now have are what keep this company succeeding and growing. Typically, if an idea is going to thrive, it will become bigger than one person. Surround yourself with supportive people and let them do what you’ve hired them to do.”

RAISE A HALF-FULL GLASS

Attitude really is everything, and optimism matters. Yes, there are going to be hard days. By focusing on the good, you’re better equipped to withstand the challenge.

“It starts the moment I wake up in the morning,” Brian shared. “I realize I’ve made it another day, and I pause to appreciate that fact. Because I live my life with a glass-half-full mentality, I’ve found it easier to feel that way about my business. Yes, there are challenges. That’s just business. More than that, there is joy. The joy that something we’ve created is now a successful and thriving company. If you can ground yourself in optimism, you’re better prepared to face inevitable pitfalls and challenges as they come along.”

KEEP IT REAL

Believe it or not, you might not want to shoot for the stars. Not at first, anyway.

“As you get your business off the ground, set obtainable goals,” Brian stressed. “Specific goals are important, but they should also be realistic. Otherwise, it’s easy to lose enthusiasm if loftier goals aren’t met. On the other hand, when you reach or even exceed a realistic goal, you’re fueled to set and meet new goals. I’m not a money-driven person, but I do set a monetary number I want to make in a year. While my early number was pretty low, we met and exceeded it. Seeing Natina exceed our goal was motivating. Keep goals realistic and watch as it keeps that fire burning.”

PRACTICE PATIENCE

Don’t sacrifice what you want the most. Stay the course and do the time. It pays to be patient.

“Seeing our milestones and how far we’ve come is rewarding,” Brian added. “Of course, that didn’t happen overnight. Having hobbies and time to myself outside of the office was far from immediate. For years, work was my number one hobby and I didn’t bat an eye. Enjoy the moment and be patient. Soon enough, it will all start to pay off, and you’ll be left with an even greater appreciation for what you have and how far you’ve come.”

PARTING ADVICE

One of Brian’s favorite books on life lessons is an oldie but a goodie — “Psycho-Cybernetics” by Maxell Maltz.

“It was written in the ‘60s,” Brian shared, “but it’s timeless, and it still resonates with me. It’s a great read when you want to make sense of your start-up journey while staying focused and visualizing your outcome. It’s about more than just identifying and reaching goals. It’s about the peace of mind you can achieve along the way. I highly recommend you read or listen to this one!”

YOU’VE GOT THIS

Thanks for joining us on this look back with Brian at some of what went into building the Natina brand you know today. While no two success stories are the same, there are always takeaways to be had and lessons to learn along the way. We can’t wait to see what the next 14 years hold. In the meantime, we hope you leave here feeling inspired and ready to go after what you want in life.

The post Natina’s Roots and Valuable Life Lessons Learned Along the Way appeared first on Natina.

1. Extreme Makeover: LABEL Edition

One of the most significant changes we’ve seen is the rebranding of our Natina Rock Solution, Concrete Solution and Steel Solution packaging. The fresh designs beautifully complement the modern look and feel of Natina, including our logo and brand colors, while the inclusion of photos helps differentiate our unique solutions.

The result: A more consistent brand appearance and experience!

2. This is a Test

Where 2020 ushered in new, much-needed equipment for our field team (a Genie Lift and a RAM 4500), 2021 did the same for our internal Research and Development (R&D) team. We added an R&D lab, equipped with various analytical instrumentation. This helps us test current and future products for color continuity, corrosion and stability. In 2022, we are continuing our rigorous testing and processes while optimizing our solutions.

The result: The ability to continue delivering high-quality results and enhancements for all projects we take on.

3. Go with the Flow

The path to improvement continued at our facility in Casa Grande, AZ, which recently received an extensive overhaul. Newly-added

truck paths were created and the area was leveled to reorganize our internal and external flow of projects. Plus, we added a new custom security fence and are in the process of revamping our roadside landscaping early this year.

The result: A more streamlined, productive working environment.

4. Keep On Keeping On

We look back with pride at the many projects completed over the past 12 months. Helping rip rap blend into its surroundings at a Flagstaff golf course and giving a natural mottled brown look to a steel fence around an Idaho substation, to name just a couple. Which Natina accomplishment stands out as your most memorable?

The result: Momentum to do even more to better our environment in the coming months!

5. Gotta Support the Team

To keep up with the increase in demand for our services, we have more teammates than ever helping our clients and customers get the results they want for their steel, rock and concrete surfaces. Additionally, several teammates were recently promoted due to their stellar efforts. Growing our team is a trend we intend to continue as the year goes on.

The result: A robust team, working together to exceed our customer needs and expectations when it comes to minimizing visual impact on construction projects.

6. Something BIG!

Okay, so we realize dollars and cents aren’t always popular topics of conversation, but we aren’t ones to shy away from the unconventional. Especially when it’s to report… OUR BEST YEAR YET! That’s right, while 2021 was our highest-performing year to date for both growth and revenue, we’re headed to surpass that growth this year. Great things are happening!

“I am proud to see how Natina has continued to grow and am thankful for our many accomplishments. We owe such success to our amazing clients and team. I’d like to thank Tandy and Ryan for spearheading the initiatives Natina has needed.” —Brian Hardin, Natina CEO and Founder

WHAT’S NEXT?

All in all, we’d say 2022 is off to an outstanding start, and we have our clients, customers and teammates to thank! Pausing to spotlight our accomplishments leaves us refreshed and ready to take on the rest of the year. We can’t wait to see where things go from here! Natina Steel Solutions is excited to continue collaborating with both new and returning clients to deliver superior end products. If you’re interested in learning more about how we can take your project to new heights, or if you just want to check out some of our previous work, feel free to browse our project’s page.

The post Six Reasons We’re Celebrating this Spring appeared first on Natina.

Learn what visual impact mitigation is and why it should matter to you.

How can you reduce the impact of your construction project, and why should you do so?

At Natina, our goal is to improve the aesthetics of construction projects in order to preserve the beauty of nature. In fact, this objective is in our mission statement: “Construction will leave its mark. Natina will minimize it.”

By giving galvanized steel, concrete and rock a natural patina with our solutions, we aim to mitigate the visual impact of construction jobs. What exactly does that mean, and how do we do it?

Here’s the four things you should know about visual impact mitigation.

1. What Is Visual Impact Mitigation?

Visual Impact Mitigation is the actions that are taken to omit, minimize or balance the effect of the natural and built features of a construction project. There are many elements that must be carefully considered before starting a job, and increasingly, visual—or environmental—impact, is one of them. In the case of a transmission tower being placed on a mountainside, planning is needed to ensure the topography remains intact as much as possible.

While similar, visual quality is generally defined as the visual significance or appeal of a landscape based on cultural values and its intrinsic physical elements. The goal should be to avoid disrupting the beauty of the environment in any way possible, and that’s where visual impact mitigation efforts come into play. In some cases, visual impact mitigation is needed to move forward on a construction project.

Some of the most common types of visual impact mitigation include:

• Avoiding impact, or making changes, such as moving the project or reducing its size to avoid affecting nature too much.
• Minimizing the impact, usually by adding design elements that make disturbances to the landscape less noticeable.
• Rectifying the impact by fixing or restoring the affected area.
• Reducing or eliminating any impacts over time, such as continually working to preserve the area.
• Compensating for any visual impacts, like replacing or providing alternative resources to make up for any disturbances to nature.

Natina Steel Solution on Guardrail in California

2. How Does Natina Embrace Visual Impact Mitigation?

At Natina, we understand the importance of every type of mitigation when it comes to construction projects. But we’re most familiar with the idea of minimizing impact with design elements and reducing maintenance traffic, time or disruption.

This is because our color solutions add a natural brown patina and finish to materials like galvanized steel, rock and concrete. Our goal is to complement and balance construction projects, which helps areas remain scenic and beautiful.

3. Why It’s Important to Mitigate Visual Impact

In recent years, federal, state and local agencies and developers have put more emphasis than ever on visual impact mitigation. The main reason for this is the understanding that we must protect nature and ensure that the planet is not negatively affected by our progress. In other words, while we can all agree that fences, transmission poles, guardrails and other structures are important, we should find ways to reduce their impact on the settings.

We need to reduce the human effects from constructed activities while maintaining the visual quality of the world around us. That means we want to ensure that new structures or changes don’t detract from the visual character of natural landscapes. After all, many people enjoying national parks or taking road trips want the view of mountains, lakes and other stunning scenery that nature offers us.

When building transmission poles, lattice towers, signposts, roadways, cell towers, and more, it’s important to mitigate and reduce visual impact when in the planning stages. Organizations like the USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and many private construction companies are already planning ahead and accounting for these types of modifications. The benefits of protecting the environment and its inhabitants—while keeping the public in mind—are worth it!

Virginia Lattice Towers treated with Natina and without Natina as galvanized.

4. Examples of Visual Impact Mitigation

Most visual impact mitigation efforts fall into one or more of the categories described above, as they’re supposed to avoid, minimize, rectify, reduce or compensate for visual impacts. For example, a construction company might make the following efforts to reduce the impact on the environment when building:

• Use existing access roads instead of making new ones.
• Build in an area that doesn’t require your team to clear, much or any, vegetation.
• Use only the minimum required lighting for construction.
• Plant more vegetation to make up for any plants you had to trim or clear.
• Use materials that blend in with the landscape and don’t reflect sunlight.
• Treat steel, rock and concrete with Natina Solutions so they match the surrounding landscape and reduce the maintenance required in the future.

These are some of the most common ways construction companies can reduce the visual impacts of their projects.

Here at Natina, we do this by:

• Coloring existing rock instead of adding new rock, which helps keep it out of landfills.
• Applying a non-toxic and natural concrete solution as opposed to strong acid stains.
• Providing a weathering steel alternative with our steel solution reduces touch-ups and the need for crews to visit the site again or close roadways to access hard-to-reach areas.

When we treat materials with our Steel, Concrete or Rock Solution, we’re helping to facilitate a color reaction that results in a mottled rustic brown finish. With natural and environmentally-safe solutions, your project transforms into a rich, brown patina. If you’re interested in reducing the visual impact of your next construction project, contact us to start planning today!

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Why Natina Color Treatment May Be What Your Next Construction Project Needs

If an upcoming project involves galvanized steel structures or materials of any kind—and you want to make them more aesthetically appealing without sacrificing strength—look to Natina Steel Solution. This is a reactive color treatment that can turn shiny steel into a mottled brown finish that gives a more natural look to the area around it. If it’s important to you that your steel structure blends into its surrounding environment, add Natina to your project. Here’s what you should know for your commercial or industrial construction project.

Natina on railing and flood channel near South Mountain.

How Our Steel Solution Works

Before you decide whether to use Natina to beautify the galvanized steel in your project, it’s important to understand the science behind it. What makes it so effective? To start, this solution is called a reactive color treatment because when it’s applied to galvanized steel, it reacts with the surface structure to change the color from gray metal to rustic brown patina. The exact shade of brown is determined by the type of metal, manufacturing and the zinc content. This makes every result unique, like a surface you’d see in nature rather than a uniform finish that looks manmade.

In addition to being considered a reactive color treatment, Natina Steel Solution is also categorized as a conversion coating. This is a specialized coating made for metal, in which the metal surface experiences a change to the outer layer of zinc, coloring it into the Natina finish. To clarify, conversion coatings, like Natina Steel Solution, aren’t coatings that attempt to stick to the surface like paint, but instead make actual organic modifications to the metal.

Natina on Corrugated Metal

Because of this, Natina Steel Solution offers the following benefits:

• Natural look and finish
• Non-toxic and safe around plants, animals and waterways
• Low maintenance
• Alternative to weathering steel

Plus, when you decide to use Natina Steel Solution for your project, you can relax knowing you’re in good hands. Our skilled team members have experience applying our solution to a variety of different structures, surfaces, components, parts and more.

Why Use Natina Steel Solution Instead of Paint or Powder Coat?

If your first thought is that you can paint or powder coat your galvanized steel to get a natural look, understand the material’s longevity is at risk. The main reason is that paints and coatings of various kinds are known for photodegradation. Due to this paint and powder coating will eventually fade and discolor—and once it starts peeling, there is a weakness, and it will continue looking poor.

Don’t want this maintenance or look? Contact our team for better results.

Paints and powder coatings form physical bonds at surface or metal interfaces, which can be problematic on some surfaces – resulting in peeling and cracking over time. Natina’s natural chemical reaction to the galvanized steel surfaces provides a unique rustic finish. Additionally, Natina Steel Solution is UV-proof, so sunlight doesn’t adversely affect the patina either. In fact, this product has been tested to ensure that the steel core and zinc coating are properly preserved and not compromised when Natina is applied.

Common Uses of Natina Steel Solution

Our Steel Solution has been an integral part of numerous large-scale projects involving steel. You can take a look at our list of projects to see some of the most common uses, but in general, they include the following:

Natina on galvanized surfaces.

• Highway guardrails and end terminals
• Transmission poles
• Chain link fences
• Cell towers
• Safety railing on walking and biking trails
• Bridges
• Cable barriers
• Mile markers
• Lattice towers
• Signposts
• Wire mesh on mountainsides
• Corrugated metal
• Erosion control systems

From sign structures in busy Las Vegas to a flood channel by Phoenix’s South Mountain, we’ve been involved in a variety of projects to add our natural patina. Though these projects range in size and location quite a bit, one detail they all have in common is a need to turn shiny metal into a shade of brown that looks natural and pleasing to the eye.

If you think your project could use the same improvements, contact us today to find out if Natina Steel Solution is right for you!

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Energy substations may be essential for providing people with electrical power in modern life, but they’re not exactly visually appealing. After all, the gray galvanized steel tends to stand out against the backdrop of nature, whether that consists of a forest or desert. That’s why Natina makes utility projects aesthetically pleasing! We’re proud to offer the perfect color solutions the power industry might feature, from galvanized steel to concrete or even rock. So if you like the idea of naturalizing your jobsite, take a look at how Natina can help.

Reactive Color Treatment for Three Different Materials

At Natina, we’ve developed separate solutions for steel, concrete, and rock, and we can use all of them on the same project. Of course, most energy construction is largely made of steel, in which case we can apply Natina Steel Solution to the gray, shiny metal to make it a stunning brown that blends in with nature—as you can see in the before/after photo from an artist rendition (actual results will differ based on material). As you look at the energy structure, note how well the Natina brown finish complements the natural background and how stark the untreated substation appears. The finish makes it less likely that the public will notice the utility as they pass. Not only does the site look better, the rustic finish does not alter or damage the galvanized layer, ensuring that the substation stays strong enough to keep providing energy to the community for years to come.

And if your utility project also features rock, you’ll need Natina Rock Solution. This reactive color treatment was specially made to combine with minerals to produce a range of brown hues—from tan to mahogany. Whether the rock on your transmission plans was locally sourced or excavated, Natina Rock Solution will gradually transform so it blends in with its natural surroundings.

Outstanding Service from Well-Trained Professionals

When you work with Natina to beautify your energy stations, you’re not only getting a high-quality product, but also the help of professionals who will work hard to achieve the stunning results you’re after. At Natina, our team understands that you want to provide members of the community with the power they need from your utility companies, but you don’t want to detract from the beauty of nature. That’s why we’re happy to work with you closely at every step, from the exploratory kickoff call discussing the products you need, to the application of Natina and eventual completion of the project.

Along the way, our teammates will communicate with you to ensure your structures complement their surroundings, rather than contrast with them. So, if you need a natural, low-maintenance way to improve the color and appearance of steel, concrete, rock—or all three!—please contact Natina to get started on your transmission project.

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At Natina, we’ve spent years adding beauty to commercial construction projects by applying our environmentally-safe color solution to rock, concrete, and galvanized steel. It’s through these experiences that we’ve started crafting the kind of mission statement we want to commit to. Our team’s purpose is stronger than ever before, and we decided it was time to set it in stone. This gives us a bold and simple way to sum up our objectives as we begin every project. Here’s a look at what our mission statement means to us and how we take great care to apply it to our projects.

What Our Mission Statement Means

Our mission statement is: “Construction will leave its mark. Natina will minimize it.”

Our color treatments provide solutions for the world around us. We are inspired by nature and driven by aesthetics. Together in this mission, we will change the way you see construction.

We’re big fans of the construction industry, but we do realize our field leaves an imprint on the planet. Whether you’re constructing a building or paving a new road, you’re going to generate, change or modify something along the way.

How We Live Out Our Mission Statement

Natina’s goal is to beautify, blend and complement components of commercial construction. We do everything possible to ensure modern conveniences—from transmission towers to chain-link fences—don’t distract the eye from the beauty of nature, and maybe even enhance it. Now our mission statement puts our commitment in writing, we can keep it in mind with every project—helping us strategize as a team from start to finish.

What that means for us depends on the project. For example, it might involve working with designers that align with our mission. Or adding our Natina Steel Solution to bright, shiny structures so they no longer stand out against the picturesque backdrop of nature—like we did for Lions Park in Moab, Utah. The result was a natural, rustic look for the steel barrier system, ensuring it blended in beautifully with its natural surroundings. We completed a similar process for the cable barrier system project and the warty pig exhibit at the Phoenix Zoo.

We also live out our mission statement by our Natina Rock Solution being specified in major projects that require the rocks to be an earthy brown hue. When we apply our environmentally-safe solution to rocks—as we did in the South Mountain Trail in Phoenix, Arizona—our product turns the bright gray surface into a natural brown. This way, we’re able to color existing rock instead of bringing in new rock that matches the surroundings–minimizing our impact on the environment.

Finally, our Natina Concrete Solution has the power to positively affect the planet, as well. Like all the Natina solutions, this treatment reacts with the minerals in the concrete to turn the surface brown. And that’s exactly what happened when we helped the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) with the Peaks to Plains Trail, which involved our team beautifying the concrete along six miles of paved trails—assisting in protecting as many natural resources as possible.

Whether we’re working on steel, rock, or concrete, our products include elements you would find in the earth and contain only eco-friendly ingredients — it does not contain harmful chemicals. And as our new mission statement promises, our team will keep thinking about ways to reduce our impact as the construction industry continues to evolve and expand!

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