Ecosystem Restoration
Assisting ecosystem recovery with a results-oriented approach
We understand ecosystem restoration is all about re-establishing ecological function to damaged or degraded environments through design, management, and monitoring. Our diverse team is here to serve as a trusted technical advisor in helping achieve your restoration goal—at nearly any scale or location. The perfect synthesis of understanding the local environment, deep bench of in-house multi-disciplinary staff, and constant focus on innovation and safety is what drives our success.We analyze natural processes driving ecological functions and incorporate these processes into designs to create self-sustaining ecosystems.
What does ecosystem restoration look like?
Degraded, damaged, or destroyed ecosystems could be anything from mountains after a landslide to streams impacted by urbanization. Ecosystem restoration uses nature-based solutions to recover those areas, improving their natural processes and creating opportunities for resilient planning. Curious to see what an ecosystem restoration project looks like before and after our work? Read MoreWhy the decade of restoration?
The United Nations (UN) believes there has never been a more urgent time to prioritize ecosystem restoration. In the coming years, we will need to provide food, clean water, and energy to more people with the same amount of natural resources—in some cases, less resources. This, plus a changing climate, is driving the critical need for ecosystem restoration today. The good news? Stantec is already way ahead of the UN—we’ve been successfully practicing and implementing ecosystem restoration for more than 25 years!Creating space for life on land: Putting savings in our environmental bank
When an infrastructure project impacts a highly functioning wetland, stream, or critical habitat, state and federal agencies require the lost functionality be replaced by restoring that ecosystem in another nearby geography or by purchasing credits from a private mitigation bank. This helps offset the impact from development while promoting ecosystem services such as improved air and water quality, enhanced habitat, flood, and erosion protection, and higher crop yields. Something future generations will certainly need to cash in on.Ending hunger and achieving food security are a priority
The worldwide decline of pollinators is posing serious threats to global environments and economies through loss of biodiversity and impacts on food production. Insect pollination is valued at more than $200 billion, yet habitats continue to decline. Our Ecosystem Restoration team strives to demonstrate why this crisis matters. Incorporating proactive thinking and planning into our client’s projects not only supports pollinators and their habitats, it also creates a positive corporate image and sense of community pride.
Through design, management, and monitoring, our Ecosystem Restoration teams are reinvigorating the natural world.
40,000+
Acres Restored
1,000+
Miles of Streams and Rivers
50+
States and Provinces
10+
Disciplines
We’ve worked on more than 40,000 acres of land restoration across the US.
We’ve restored over 1,000 miles of waterways.
We’ve completed projects in over 50 states and provinces.
We have more than 10 disciplines focused on ecosystem restoration.
Expert Spotlight
-
George Athanasakes
Vice President, Ecosystem Restoration, Environmental Services
-
Stephanie Coffman
Senior Principal, River System & Basin Management Program Lead
-
Jon Gumtow
Principal
-
Michael F. Adams, Jr.
Principal
-
Michael Chelminski
Principal, Environmental Services
-
Josh Running
Senior Associate
-
Heather Amirault
Surface Water Engineer
-
Mike Burton
Principal, Environmental Services
-
Matt Wood
Senior Associate
-
Roger Windschitl
Senior Principal, Environmental Services
-
Grant Ginn
Principal
-
Matthew Starr
Principal, Southeast Coastal Team Lead
-
Melissa Curran
Environmental Scientist/Botanist
-
Paige Baker
Senior River Restoration Engineer
-
Amy Flansburg
Ecologist
Related Services
Assessment & Permitting
Using science to meet regulations.
Ecosystems
By documenting existing conditions and determining potential impacts, we develop avoidance and mitigation measures that are cost-effective but ensure protection of fish, aquatic invertebrates, and vegetation.
eDNA
Management of protected species requires reliable methods for detecting their presence without causing them harm. eDNA allows for sampling the environment for DNA shed by organisms without capturing, handling, or observing the target species.
Land Use Planning
We provide responsible planning by creating careful and thoughtful options for right now as well as for the future that take into account site conditions, public input, client needs, and project requirements.
Natural Capital & Natural Resource Economics
Natural Capital & Natural Resource Economics works across sectors and business lines to assess, value, and restore natural resources.
Nature-based Solutions
Using Nature-based Solutions such as carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas reduction, we can mitigate the ongoing effects of climate change.
Remediation & Revitalization
We use our expertise to investigate, plan and implement the right solution to your challenges.
Remote Sensing
With technology including unmanned aerial systems (UAS), photogrammetry, LiDAR, underwater acoustics, and satellite imagery, our Remote Sensing team helps you know more about your projects.
Urban Planning & Design
Our plans help harness the forces reshaping North American communities. We create places that are authentic, green, walkable, connected and diverse.
Water Resources
We help you to protect and restore sensitive water resources, explore and develop new sources of water, and manage risk resulting from sedimentation and flooding.
Water Services
Through the life cycle of capture, use, reuse, and discharge, our team works to optimize every facet of a water system.
We're better together
-
Become a client
Partner with us today to change how tomorrow looks. You’re exactly what’s needed to help us make it happen in your community.
Contact Us -
Design your career
Work with passionate people who are experts in their field. Our teams love what they do and are driven by how their work makes an impact on the communities they serve.
Join the Team