Beacon Environmental has high-level, in-house capabilities in the assessment of a wide range of functions and attributes, both terrestrial and aquatic. This includes inventory and assessment of flora and vegetation communities, fish, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles, dragonflies and butterflies. These field skills have been applied to a variety of projects including: Ecological Risk Assessment, Natural Areas Planning, Environmental Assessments (federal, provincial and Class), Environmental Impact Studies and due diligence appraisals.

Beacon Environmental terrestrial ecologists are trained in the Ecological Land Classification (ELC) system for southern Ontario and also experienced in using the Forest Ecosystem Classification system for Northwestern and Northeastern Ontario. We are familiar with common and rare species in the Province, and also offer expertise in the development of ecologically-based management and restoration plans for natural areas in urban and rural settings. Our work often involves assessments for Species at Risk (SAR), and we have also assisted in the development of several COSEWIC Updates and Recovery Plans for floral and faunal SAR.

Beacon Environmental’s aquatic ecologists have a broad range of experience in the study and assessment of aquatic systems. Our skills include fish community sampling, fish habitat surveys, benthic invertebrate sampling and channel morphology. This information is integrated with geological information to fully characterize a system, determine significance and sensitivity of aquatic species and habitats, and develop restorations plans, mitigation measures and compensation plans for impacts to this resource.

Beacon Environmental has in-depth experience with Environmental Assessments (EAs). We are familiar with EA processes at all jurisdictional levels based on involvement in federal CEAA Comprehensive Studies, federal CEAA Screenings, provincial Class Environmental Assessments, and municipal Environmental Assessments. EA projects in Ontario have included work for the Ministry of Transportation, Ontario Power Generation and GE Canada. Experience with large multi-jurisdictional EAs includes mining projects in Ontario, Quebec, Labrador and Nunavut, energy facilities in Ontario, and a proposed smelter in Newfoundland.

Beacon Environmental’s strength lies in its depth of knowledge and experience in addressing both the federal and provincial EA legislation. Having worked as project coordinators as well as part of multi-disciplinary teams conducting natural heritage investigations, we are proficient in all aspects of EA work from comprehensive background reviews and terrestrial and aquatic assessments, to public consultation and agency liaison. We have provided these services for EAs related to highway realignments or extensions, wind and nuclear energy projects (e.g., Pickering and Darlington), new transmission line installations and water/wastewater facilities and servicing.

Beacon Environmental’s staff regularly undertake environmental impact studies (EIS), both as project managers and as part of multi-disciplinary teams. These impact assessments tend to focus on the firm’s core expertise (i.e., aquatic and terrestrial ecology) but also integrate expertise from hydrologists, hydrologeologists and other disciplines when required. Projects have included assessment related to proposed aggregate operations, municipal infrastructure, and residential, commercial and
industrial developments.

With decades of experience in land development of all types in Ontario, Beacon Environmental has the expertise to undertake all aspects of an EIS, from synthesis of relevant background information and conducting the ecological assessments, to review of applicable policies to assess conformity and liaison with all the pertinent agencies. We are able to expertly navigate the different policy layers that govern land use change in southern Ontario which is the basis for a successful planning application. In addition to EIS, we also have specific experience with Natural Heritage Evaluations on the Oak Ridges Moraine and Greenbelt Plan areas, as well as Natural Heritage Impact Studies and Ravine Stewardship Plans in the City of Toronto.

Working with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Beacon staff have completed numerous fishery compensation projects under the federal Fisheries Act. With decades of experience, Beacon has extensive knowledge of provincial legislation, in-water works guidelines, permitting and approvals. Projects have ranged from small private landowners to major projects associated with land and highway development, mines and dams.

With the complexity of natural heritage policy, whether on the Oak Ridges Moraine, within the Greenbelt or somewhere outside, prospective land purchases for development have never posed the amount of risk as they do today. Beacon Environmental will assess a subject property to identify and determine likely constraints and opportunities for land development prior to purchase.

Natural heritage policies are always evolving and their application to a given property or situation is not always clear. Beacon Environmental can reduce the risk of a prospective land purchase by conducting a preliminary assessment to identify natural heritage constraints and opportunities. We know what questions to ask and to whom they need to be addressed, and can provide a realistic assessment based on existing conditions and readily available background information.