What do the release of High School Musical, Italy’s World Cup win, and the first SURF meeting have in common? They all happened in 2006! That’s right…in 2006, representatives from industry, government agencies, consultant and technology companies, and academia — 20 people total — gathered in Wilmington, Delaware to “develop the ability to use sustainability concepts in decision-making.” Fast-forward 20 years and SURF is now a thriving nonprofit whose members participate in activities to advance sustainable remedies and practices through collaboration, education, and innovation.

As a partner with the Association for Environmental Health & Sciences (AEHS) Foundation, SURF members design and chair sustainable remediation technical sessions twice a year at AEHS conferences…and the next conference is only three weeks from now! Join us in person (click here to register) at the AEHS West Coast Conference from March 16 to 19, 2026, and help us celebrate SURF’s 20th anniversary. We’ve organized the SURF Leadership Panel: Reflecting on 20 Years, which will be held on Tuesday, March 17 from 3:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time (click here to participate virtually). More details about the panel session and other SURF technical sessions are below; we hope to see you there!

SURF Leadership Panel: Reflecting on 20 Years
This SURF panel discussion will feature conversations with past and present leaders of SURF as they reflect on the evolution and future of sustainable remediation. Panelists will:

• Explore how sustainability principles have advanced within the remediation industry over the past two decades and highlight the impact SURF has had throughout that progression.
• Share insights, lessons learned, and perspectives on past, ongoing, and emerging challenges and opportunities.

Sustainable Remediation from Investigation to Closure
This SURF technical session features the following six presentations:

• Functional Landscaping: Integrating Endophyte-Assisted Phytoremediation into Brownfield and Industrial Redevelopment
• Why So Salty? Minimization of Dig-and-Haul Practices for Soil Remediation of Chlorides and Other Constituents Utilizing Proven Topical Biocatalyst Technology Applications
• Restoring Process, Protecting Place: Ecologically Grounded Remediation Strategies for Coastal Marsh Systems
• Rethinking Sustainable Remediation: A Technical Approach to Accelerating Groundwater Remediation
• Comprehensive Mapping and Recovery of a Mobile TCE DNAPL
• NSZD as a Cornerstone of Sustainable LNAPL Remediation

Sustainability: Integrated Remedies, Measured Impacts
This SURF technical session addresses the following topics:

• A Sustainable Multi-Faceted Remediation Approach to Address Chlorinated Solvent Impacts from Onsite and Offsite Sources
• Evaluating Energy Efficiency and Carbon Footprint in Soil Treatment Technologies: The Case of Thermal Desorption
• Chloride Risk and Remediation – What Have We Learned Over the Years?

For a full program, click here.