Trefoil Cultural and Environmental is a privately owned cultural resource management firm, capable of completing a variety of archaeological and historical projects. We have a client-centered approach that recognizes the need to quickly meet compliance and permitting requirements. When requested, Trefoil also provides quality research and outreach activities that can be integrated into a variety of educational, community and interpretive projects. While Trefoil works on projects wherever our clients need us, our focus is on Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa.
We believe that cost-effective service is best provided by a small team of highly trained individuals. Led by Dr. Richard Rothaus, all staff are cross-trained and experienced in archaeological field survey, GIS and GPS applications, basic artifact identification and analysis, and archival research. Sometimes, of course, specialists are needed, and Trefoil has working relationships with a variety of architectural historians, geomorphologists and artifact specialists who can be called upon as required. While our staff is not large, our clients are always pleasantly surprised how fast and thorough our work is. Or “secret” is simple: when one Trefoil staff member is on site, you have an archaeologist, GIS/GPS technician and accomplished researcher all-in-one.
Trefoil has a digital infrastructure, and all our data is housed at a secure on-line repository. Our work is paperless, and we use digital documents, GIS, spreadsheets and databases. There is no data entry, photocopying or lag time as data moves from one staff member to the next. While we have an office, we find that it rarely get used. Everyone is equipped with ruggedized-computers, scanners and other equipment so that whatever field we happen to be in functions just fine as an office. Virtual movable offices used by cross-trained staff mean not only that one Trefoil staff member can do work the work of two, but we can also do it with low overhead expenses.
Our expertise and experience include state permitting and compliance, NHPA (National Historic Preservation Act—Section 106), NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act), NAGPRA (North American Graves Protection, and ARPA (Archaeological Resources Protection Act). Trefoil actively and regularly works with state and federal regulatory agencies to design projects and reports that meet compliance needs and get permits quickly.