Environmental Consulting

PGL staff (Debra Posen & Téo Lewarne, B.Sc) attended the 9th First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference in Toronto last week. We joined First Nations, proponents, and regulators from across Canada for conversations and knowledge sharing about Indigenous engagement, partnership, leadership, and investment in major projects through the lens of a prosperous shared future for the next seven generations. We would like to extend our gratitude to the FNMPC leadership and staff for hosting this conference. We had the privilege of attending the opening Māori and Royal Bafokeng Nation royal addresses, followed by two days of wide-ranging expertise on topics like critical minerals, Indigenous enterprise, Indigenous regulation and assessment, and energy security. The messages we heard at the conference align with the work PGL has been honoured to do with over 60 Indigenous Nations and clients in remote and urban locations throughout Canada. Early engagement, meaningful consultation, and relationship building come before procedural checklists. Ensuring equitable opportunities, wealth, and prosperity from major projects is essential. Indigenous leadership and regulation show us an important pathway forward. We are grateful for the conversations, connections, and perspectives shared, and looking forward to continuing to support Nations in ways that reflect these messages. #FirstNations #IndigenousLeadership #IndigenousPartnerships #MeaningfulConsultation #EarlyEngagement #NationBuilding #MajorProjects #SustainableDevelopment #ReconciliationInAction #PartnershipOverProcess #CommunityFirst #IndigenousVoices #FNMPC #Collaboration #RespectfulEngagement

We are pleased to welcome Chiara Belvederesi, PhD, E.I.T. to PGL’s Calgary Office! Chiara is a civil engineer in training, specializing in environmental engineering, with strong expertise in watershed modeling, river flow forecasting, and water resources monitoring. She brings a mix of academic and professional experience working with Indigenous communities, industry partners, and research institutions to support sustainable, science-based environmental solutions. At PGL, Chiara will support environmental and water resource projects by providing technical expertise in hydrological modeling, environmental monitoring, environmental site assessments, and sustainability planning. Welcome Chiara! #PGLEnvironmental #nerdybynature

PGL is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded a contract from the BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit to provide Environmental Services, building on our experience in the transportation sector. Under this four-year contract, we will be leveraging our biological and environmental impact assessment expertise to support the Ministry during planning, design, and construction of infrastructure projects across the Province. If you have any inquiries about our biological services or want to learn more about how we can assist you with your projects, please don't hesitate to reach out! #pglenvironmental #biologicalassessment #pspc #biologicalservices #proposalwin #technicalexcellence #nerdybynature

British Columbia's Water Sustainability Act just received significant updates! On February 27, 2026, amendments to the Water Sustainability Act and Water Sustainability Regulation came into effect. These changes are of particular relevance to those in construction and development and First Nations governments across the Province. The amendments meaningfully reduce permitting costs for developers undertaking excavation and construction activities and reduce burden for First Nations conducting in-stream maintenance and restoration work. James Bergal put together a detailed summary of the key changes and what they mean in practice. See below! #WaterSustainability #BritishColumbia #FirstNations #CivilConstruction #Permitting #WSA #Regulatory

Ontario has released updated Toxicity Reference Values (TRVs) for use in Ontario risk assessments. If your project involves human health risk assessments, now’s a good time to check whether these changes impact your project assumptions or conclusions. Updates were specific to some petroleum hydrocarbons subfractions, carbon tetrachloride and perfluorobutane sulfonate. If you have an active or upcoming project, our team can help determine whether these changes affect your site! #Ontario #RiskAssessment #ContaminatedSites #HumanHealth #EnvironmentalConsulting #TRV #PGLenvironmental

Hear the frogs calling? Amphibian breeding season is here! March and April mark the start of amphibian breeding season in BC, a critical time for frogs, toads, and salamanders. Amphibians are key indicators of overall ecosystem health, and they don’t always choose clean natural ponds to breed! Even a murky-looking pool along a right-of-way or construction site can be home to hundreds of eggs, tadpoles, and several amphibian species. Before any dewatering or backfilling activities, it’s a good idea to consult an environmental professional, as these works can often trigger regulatory requirements, including the need for amphibian salvages and wildlife permits. Missing them can mean costly delays. Our experts can work with you to keep your project compliant, on schedule, and environmentally responsible. All while protecting our little croaky neighbours! Planning spring works? Let’s get in touch early and help your project sail smoothly. #pglenvironmental #nerdybynature #amphibian #environmentalconsulting

Christianne Seifert, Chiara Belvederesi, and Jessica Gillis of PGL’s Calgary office enjoyed a great evening at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event at Heritage Park. Between the scavenger hunt, great food, and engaging conversations, it was a fantastic way to connect with Calgary’s business community and make connections. We’re excited to continue attending local events and building relationships across the region. If you’re hosting something in the Calgary area, we’d love to hear about it. #PGLenvironmental #nerdybynature #consulting #networking #calgary #commerce #business #events #alberta

Last week PGL sponsored the North Vancouver Chamber Women in Business event. PGLers Cory Nelson and Katie Scott, B.Sc., R.P.Bio were in attendance. A powerful keynote was delivered by Kim Stegeman-Lowe followed by a panelist discussion (Mariana Freitas, Emily Kerr, MBA, PFP®, Kari Kylo and Maryam Nani) moderated by Kimberley Knook. The energy in the room was inspiring, and the stories shared allowed for lots of conversations following the event. Here are a few of the many key takeaways and pieces of advice that were shared: - Don’t wait for the perfect moment as it may never happen. - We cant do it all ourselves (even if we sometimes try) so ask for help and learn to delegate. - There will always be hard days and we all make mistakes. This is where we learn and grow. - Create meaningful connections especially early in your career. - Support systems are so valuable. - Resilience is important but isn’t a quality you’re born with, it’s built up over time and experience. Thank you to the presenters and attendees for your inspiring presence and insights! #pglenvironmental #womeninbusiness #nerdybynature #vancouver #northvancouver

Not all drilling happens out in the elements. For contaminated site investigations, sometimes the work takes us indoors—collecting subsurface samples to assess possible impacts, better understand site conditions and/or support remediation planning. This project also doubled as a great training opportunity for the team—building skills while getting the job done. And as a bonus, a break from a Vancouver atmospheric river 🌧️ #contaminatedsites #pglenvironmental #nerdybynature

We are excited to welcome Katie Docker to PGL’s Contaminated Sites team! Katie is a Professional Engineer and brings 11 years of experience in the environmental consulting industry and has managed a variety of Phase 1 and 2 Environmental Site Assessments. At PGL, Katie will be supporting the Contaminated Sites Group providing technical expertise for environmental site assessments in Ontario. Welcome to the team, Katie! #PGLEnvironmental #nerdybynature #environmentalconsulting

PGL is proud to support Camosun College’s Lansdowne Student Housing Project! Our cross-disciplinary team is providing environmental consulting services to support design, permitting and construction. Our work includes preparing a construction environmental management plan as well as an erosion and sediment control plan, managing soil and water, conducting pre-clearing bird nest surveys and environmental monitoring during construction. We are grateful to support on this project, bringing together our Environmental Planning and Contaminated Sites teams to support the build of this much-needed student housing on campus! Go team! #environmentalconsulting #pglenvironmental #soilmanagement #environmentalplanning

PGL proudly supports many Indigenous clients as advisors in the governance of the lands and waters in their territories. We work with Leadership, Lands Departments, and Nation-owned companies to provide technical, governance, and assessment capacity that supports strategic decision making. Our work includes: • Supporting Indigenous-led impact and rights assessments for major projects • Developing land use plans, water strategies, and cumulative effects frameworks • Providing independent science and technical review of industrial proposals • Advising on industrial contamination issues and remediation • Designing and implementing community-based monitoring and Guardian programs • Facilitating knowledge holder and community engagement sessions • Advising Nations on regulatory processes, referrals, and strategic decision-making PGL bridges western science, Indigenous knowledge, and collaborative planning methods to support decisions that protect land and water while advancing Nation goals. If your Nation or organization could use any of these services, Matt Hammond would be glad to connect. #PGLEnvironmental #nerdybynature #indigenous #firstnation #governance #capacitybuilding #communityengagement #community #landrights

We are thrilled to announce that PGL's very own Anna Howard has officially achieved her designation as a BC Registered Professional Biologist (R.P. Bio.)! 🎉 Anna brings extensive expertise in plant biology, specializing in invasive plants and the challenges they pose to property development. Her work on Environmental Impact Assessments helps clients navigate these complexities, ensuring projects can move forward responsibly and efficiently while meeting regulatory requirements. Please join us in congratulating Anna on this well-deserved milestone. We can't wait to see all that you accomplish next! Did you know? PGL’s biologists provide the following services: • Environmental Impact Assessments • Invasive Plant Management Plans • Baseline ecological assessments, biological inventories and mitigation plans • Construction phasing recommendations and environmental management plans • Environmental permitting • Fish and Wildlife Salvage • Riparian Areas Protection Regulation assessments • Opportunities and constraints assessments #RPBio #Biology #InvasiveSpecies #EnvironmentalImpactAssessment #LandDevelopment #ProfessionalDevelopment #NerdyByNature

PGLers and their guests had a wonderful time at the 10th Annual Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Reach for the Stars Fundraising Gala, supporting the Nexw7áẏstwaẏ Training & Trades Centre. PGL is proud to support this event and witness first hand the growth of the event, the TTC, and its impact on the community. Thanks for having us! Cory Nelson Duncan Macdonald P.Eng. James Bergal Leslie Beckmann Tyler Gray Michelle Ashley Matt Hammond #nerdybynature #pglenvironmental

We are excited to welcome Matti Witte to our Vancouver office as an Environmental Consultant in the Contaminated Sites Group (CSG). Matti brings over six years of experience in environmental consulting, supported by a broad background in geology, geochemistry, and environmental sciences. He has worked on a wide range of contaminated site investigations and remediation projects across the Lower Mainland, with a focus on field program coordination, environmental data interpretation, geospatial analysis, and regulatory compliance. At PGL, Matti will support CSG, contributing technical expertise to site investigations, remediation planning, and environmental site assessments. Welcome Matti! #PGLEnvironmental #nerdybynature

Breeding bird season is here! This time of year marks the beginning of the breeding season for many species across the province. Songbirds in British Columbia may breed between March and August (region dependent). If you’re a developer or land manager planning vegetation clearing, land modification, or construction, it is recommended to schedule this work outside the breeding season. When that isn’t possible, it’s best practice to have a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) conduct pre-clearing nest surveys to limit risk and contravention of environmental regulations. Under the BC Wildlife Act, it is an offence to injure, molest, or destroy an active bird nest without a valid permit. Additionally, the Migratory Birds Convention Act and Species at Risk Act also offer regulatory protections to active and non-active nests. Navigating these rules can feel complex, and the level of survey effort needed can vary throughout the year. PGL has a team of professionals to support you and conduct pre-clearing nest surveys this breeding season! #pglenvironmental #breedingbirds #environmentalplanning #environmentalprofessionals #QEP #registeredbiologists

This International Women’s Day, we recognize and celebrate the incredible women across PGL who contribute their expertise, leadership, and passion to every project. On Monday March 9th, in the spirit of #GiveToGain, we’ll be sharing knowledge, providing mentorship, and highlighting women’s experiences. When we invest in professional growth, leadership opportunities, and inclusive culture we all benefit. This International Women’s Day, we invite everyone to reflect on how they can #GiveToGain and help accelerate progress for women in our communities and industries. #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2026 #GiveToGain

Join us in congratulating the following PGLers who have recently earned professional designations across agrology, biology, chemistry, engineering, geoscience, and education. Your dedication to continuous learning, technical excellence and professional development strengthens our teams and the work we deliver to the clients and communities we serve. Congratulations on your achievements! Rhiannon Kirton – R.P.Bio Vivek Kumar – R.P.Bio. Jessica Gillis – P.Bio Florence Norton – A.Ag. Kevin Pons – P.Ag. Emma Barnes – MA Chelsea MacPherson – P.Geo (ON) Duncan Macdonald – P.Eng. (ON) Marissa Nyi – C.I.T. Aio Haberli – CSAP Katie Scott - P.Bio (AB).

Today, we proudly celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Today is dedicated to honoring and advancing the contributions of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) for generations to come. At PGL, we’re proud to recognize that 53% of PGLers are women in science. They are a remarkable and diverse group driving innovation and excellence across every part of our business. This is a heartfelt shout out to each and every one of them. Your contributions to science continue to lead the way and inspire the future. #PGLEnvironmental #EnvironmentalConsulting #STEM #WomeninScienceandengineering #nerdybynature

The SMART Remediation circuit has been in full swing across the country. The conference provides insights on the environmental industry throughout Canada, hosts technical seminars on innovative and emerging remediation technologies, and provides a space for networking and business development. PGLers Cory Nelson , Chelsea MacPherson, P.Geo., PMP, Kim O'Neill, Alexis Da Silva and Jamie Burnett recently attended the Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto conferences, with Trevor Anthony heading to the Ottawa event this week for some great conversations and valuable learnings to bring to our projects. In Ottawa this week? Say hello! #environmentalconsulting #pglenvironmentalconsultants #nerdybynature #remediation

Thank you to the UBC Environmental Sciences Student Association (UBC Environmental Sciences Students’ Association (ESSA)) for inviting PGL to attend their 2026 Career Fair! PGL team members Xavier Sandoval, B.Sc, A.Sc.T, PAg and Edmundo David Garcia Larez, along with UBC alumni Anna Howard and Helena McFeetors, had a great evening connecting with students, discussing their areas of study and exploring what careers in the environmental industry could look like. It's always wonderful to see the passion and interests of the next generation of environmental professionals! #nerdybynature #environmentalconsulting #careerfair #development #pglenvironmental #ubc #britishcolumbia #student