Focused environmental assessments Personalized project management Innovative solutions for environmental planning HIGHWOOD is a team of environmental planning and assessment specialists committed to delivering the highest professional standard of environmental management services. Our team of project managers, scientists and environmental assessment specialists prepare assessments for project approvals under federal, provincial and municipal regulatory processes. HIGHWOOD ensures effective communication between our clients and regulators. Environmental Assessment and Planning Aquatic Studies Terrestrial Studies Environmental Communications and Education Traditional Land Use Studies Urban Ecological Planning Environmental Management |
HIGHWOOD Environmental Management Limited is a team of environmental planning and At HIGHWOOD we apply our core strengths to your requirements by providing
Assessments focused on individual project requirements HIGHWOOD's environmental assessment services include
Environmental Impact Assessments Through effective issue scoping, HIGHWOOD conducts focused environmental assessments. HIGHWOOD prepares Class Screenings under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act HIGHWOOD's knowledge of regulatory requirements at municipal, provincial and federal HIGHWOOD's professional biologists conduct vegetation inventories, rare plant surveys, We thrive on challenges, and communication during project planning is one of the greatest Water Communications for the Fort McKay Industry Relations Corporation |
HIGHWOOD's aquatic ecologists prepare focused aquatic assessments. We conduct water quality monitoring, sample and identify aquatic plants and benthic invertebrates, and provide fish and riparian habitat assessments. We collect and analyze baseline aquatic data, and design on-going monitoring programs to measure impacts. We interpret complex aquatic issues and clarify the results for the general public. HIGHWOOD uses the strengths of its interdisciplinary teams to provide
Services adapted to individual project requirements HIGHWOOD offers the following services related to the aquatic environment
Stream crossing assessments Our aquatic ecologists have conducted assessments for in-stream construction of pipelines, transportation routes, channel engineering and other developments. Our experience ranges from open cut projects of small HIGHWOOD collects baseline water quality data to monitor for effective management of impacts on the aquatic environment. We choose appropriate indicators and use the most efficient sampling frequencies, methods and models. Recent examples of water quality monitoring include the Kicking Horse River for Parks Canada and the Elk River for Fernie Alpine Resorts. Our aquatic ecologists are experienced in sampling and identifying aquatic plants (algae and macrophytes) and benthic invertebrates in both streams and lakes. Appropriate tolerance and diversity indices are identified and the information is translated into an overall assessment of community health. Recent water monitoring projects were carried out for the B.C. Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection and Atco Lumber. HIGHWOOD develops and maintains excellent working relationships with regulators at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. Our familiarity with aquatic regulations streamlines the compliance and approvals process for our clients. We have prepared applications under the Alberta Water Act, the B.C. Municipal Sewage Regulation, the Federal Fisheries Act and the Federal Navigable Waters Act. HIGHWOOD's aquatic ecologists and associates prepare fish habitat and riparian health assessments and develop restoration plans for degraded instream and on-shore habitats. Our staff are experienced in mapping the biophysical components of streams and lakes. Recent projects include fish habitat assessments for Whiskey Creek in the Town of Banff and West Nose Creek in the City of Calgary. HIGHWOOD is experienced in assessing the impacts of wastewater and stormwater effluents on the aquatic environment. We utilize effluent dispersion modeling, biophysical analysis and eutrophication indices in our approach, choosing indicators appropriate for the project. Our experience ranges from small wastewater treatment plants (e.g., Field and Fernie) to larger treatment plants and stormwater systems (e.g., Banff). |
HIGHWOOD's team of professional biologists and terrestrial ecologists are experienced in vegetation and wildlife surveys for parks and protected areas, oil and gas developments, restoration and reclamation projects and for site-specific environmental assessments. Our environmental professionals believe that appropriate management must include an understanding of the relationships between soil conditions, vegetation communities, wildlife and wildlife habitat, and the impacts of human use on terrestrial ecosystems. At HIGHWOOD we focus on applying our core strengths to your requirements by providing HIGHWOOD provides support during project planning, implementation and monitoring activities related to the terrestrial environment. Biophysical services include
Vegetation Inventories HIGHWOOD's environmental scientists and ecologists have experience in conducting vegetation baseline inventories, range health assessments (carrying capacity, browse levels) and riparian health assessments. HIGHWOOD has assessed and mapped the ecological components of terrestrial ecosystems across western Canada. We choose mapping methods appropriate to the location and nature of the project, including Ecological Land Classification, Alberta Vegetation Inventory and GIS, to evaluate existing conditions and predict development impacts for environmental assessments. Recent projects have been completed for oil sands developments, municipalities and pipelines. HIGHWOOD's terrestrial ecologists have conducted rare plant surveys in prairie, aspen parkland, boreal and montane vegetation communities using approved methodologies. Herbarium collections are used to verify species identification based on collections, descriptions and/or photos. Recent surveys have been conducted for pipelines, oil sands development in wetland areas and alternative water storage options in upland areas. HIGHWOOD is experienced in conducting helicopter and ground-based wildlife surveys, including winter wildlife tracking, amphibian surveys, owl surveys and small mammal trapping. Our interdisciplinary team uses vegetation baseline information and knowledge of wildlife ecology to assess wildlife habitat suitability. Wildlife survey data and on-site incidentals are taken into account to determine indicator wildlife species for environmental impact assessments. Experience and knowledge of disturbances affecting wildlife allows HIGHWOOD to provide appropriate best management practices and mitigation measures for our clients. Recent projects include wildlife studies for pipeline projects and oil sands developments. HIGHWOOD has selected and monitored terrestrial environmental indicators to establish baseline conditions, and set future objectives and targets for corporations and government agencies. We have experience reporting on scientific monitoring results to the general public, and recently completed baseline vegetation monitoring studies for the Town of Banff's first State of the Environment Report. HIGHWOOD prepares reclamation and restoration plans for decommissioned facilities and environmental assessments. Our knowledge of terrestrial ecology ensures that restoration activities are set in a trajectory that will lead to appropriate native vegetation communities. Reclamation or restoration planning provides target areas for rehabilitation, soil replacement volumes, suggested native vegetation species, and best management practices. Recent projects have been completed for decommissioned facilities in montane settings. |