Environmental Consulting

PGL’er Sarah Barr isn’t afraid to get dirty! Working at a remote, helicopter access only site, Sarah had to get knee deep in mud to collect soil samples last month. #fieldworkfriday #environmentalconsulting #watersampling #soilsampling #excavation #pglenvironmental

Construction season is in full swing right now and many projects are working in and around water. This time of the season also marks the beginning of the in-stream reduced risk window across many regions of British Columbia! Reduced-Risk Timing windows, as outlined by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the Province of BC, are a key tool for balancing project delivery with environmental protection. These windows identify the lowest risk time periods to conduct work while protecting fish, including their eggs, juveniles, spawning adults, and/or the organisms upon which they feed. During this period many measures are used to reduce impacts and protect fish and fish habitat when carrying out a project near water. Please remember, window timing varies by region, species, and even the type of water body, so it’s always important to appropriately confirm the details for your specific site. This is where PGL can help! If you’re planning in-stream works, feel free to reach out to PGL as we’re always happy to connect and support your project! At PGL, we support clients across BC with permitting, environmental monitoring, fish salvage, and construction planning support. #in-streamworks #fishsalvage #pglenvironmental #environmentalconsulting #environmentalprotection

PGL’s Paul Wiseman attended Environment Journal’s Excess Soils Symposium in Calgary last week. The Excess Soils Symposium showcased how rapidly soil management is evolving across Canada—from beneficial reuse and resource recovery to risk-based regulation and environmental forensics. It was encouraging to see regulators, industry, and practitioners working toward practical solutions that balance environmental protection with project realities. Thanks to the organizers and presenters for the excellent discussions and networking opportunities. #pglenvironmental #excesssoils #soilmanagement #alberta

PGL was pleased to attend the 10th Annual Indigenous Resource Opportunities Conference (IROC) in Nanaimo on June 4–5, 2026. It was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with clients, colleagues, and industry partners, and celebrating the growth and progress that has taken place over the past decade. The conference highlighted the many positive partnerships being built between Indigenous communities, industry, and governments, creating meaningful opportunities and lasting benefits. Thank you to the organizers, presenters, and attendees who made this year's event such a success. PGL is excited to continue supporting our clients to pursue the growing opportunities! #IROC2026 #IndigenousPartnerships #Collaboration #pglenvironmental

PGL was pleased to attend the Clean Energy Association of British Columbia (CEBC) “Generate 2026” conference in Vancouver, on May 25 and 26. Exciting times for the clean energy industry in BC, with mutually aligned interests between First Nations, industry, Crown governments, and customers. PGL has a long portfolio on independent power projects in BC, and it was great to make new and renewed connections. PGLer Guilhermo Lombardi Garbellini shared his takeaways, take a look! #nerdybynature #pglenvironmental

PGLer Paul Wiseman is looking forward to attending Environment Journal’s Excess Soils Symposium in Calgary, June 11. Please look out for Paul as he is keen to (re)connect! #excesssoilssymposium #excesssoils #pglenvironmental #calgary

Did you know that whirling disease has recently been confirmed in the iconic waters of Lake Louise, Alberta? This invasive disease affects salmonid fish species and is caused by the parasite Myxobolus cerebralis. It can lead to skeletal deformities, erratic “whirling” swimming behaviour, and high mortality in young fish. This parasite is spread easily through microscopic spores in water and sediment and is easily transported via gear, boats, boots, and equipment. As we head into a summer season full of fieldwork and water recreation, our staff will be following the clean, drain, and dry protocol: • Clean off all mud, plants, and debris • Drain water from gear, boats, and equipment • Dry completely before entering another waterbody Do you have questions about how to prevent invasive species from entering waterways on your property? PGL Environmental Consultants supports clients with: • Field protocols for invasive species prevention • Environmental monitoring and compliance • Training and awareness for field crews #pglenvironmental #environmentalconsulting #nerdybynature #whirlingdisease

A rare moment in the field 👷🌿☣️ It’s not every day that representatives from all three of our service groups — Contaminated Sites, Environmental Planning, and Hazardous Materials — are in the field together! It highlights the collaboration that helps deliver comprehensive environmental solutions for our clients and communities. Different expertise, one shared commitment to getting the job done right. #EnvironmentalServices #EnvironmentalConsulting #NerdyByNature #Teamwork #EnvironmentalPlanning #HazardousMaterials #ContaminatedSites

Spring is here and everything is growing fast, including the plants that are NOT welcome! One of the most problematic is Japanese knotweed, a highly invasive plant that can break into concrete structures and damage your property if left unmanaged. In BC, Japanese knotweed is provincially regulated with major implications for our local ecosystems and infrastructure. It is incredibly resilient and can re-sprout from even tiny root fragments, which is why proper handling is critical. Any soil disturbance or development work involving knotweed requires specialized management, including controlled excavation and disposal. Japanese knotweed is found in a wide range of environments including riparian areas, wetlands, roadsides, ditches, and fence lines and forms dense thickets of bamboo-like vegetation. This invasive plant has hollow, smooth, purple to green coloured stems up to 2.5cm in diameter. While the Japanese knotweed plants pictured from one our sites may appear dead from previous rounds of chemical treatment, think again! These photos compare live, healthy knotweed rhizomes (orange-tinted, wet roots) with the roots of other shrubs growing nearby and will require special disposal requirements. Can you spot the difference? If you think you may have knotweed on your property, it’s important to manage it as early as possible to reduce future costs. Reach out to one of PGL’s Qualified Environmental Professionals and we can discuss management options with you. #nerdybynature #pglenvironmental

Leslie Beckmann and Michelle Ashley are looking forward to attending IROC26 in Nanaimo June 3-5. Please look out for Leslie and Michelle as they are keen to (re)connect! #IndigenousResourceOpportunities #IROC26 #FirstNations

Our Ontario office has moved! PGL’s Whitby office is now located at 8-209 Dundas Street, in Downtown Whitby. We are excited to collaborate, connect, and continue supporting our clients and communities across the Durham region and the Greater Toronto Area! #pglenvironmental #environmentalconsulting #contaminatedsites #nerdybynature #ontario

PGLers Cory Nelson, Xavier Sandoval, B.Sc, A.Sc.T, PAg, and Andrea Rivers will be at BEST, hosted by the BC Environment Industry Association (BCEIA) in Whistler today through Friday. Keep a lookout for them and say hi! #environmentalconsulting #pglenvironmental

We're #hiring a new Hazardous Materials and Health & Safety Consultant in Vancouver, British Columbia. Apply today or share this post with your network.

Say hello to our new website! We’ve refreshed our look, content and navigation. Our new site does a better job reflecting who we are, the work we do, and the people behind it. Check it out and take a look around! www.pggroup.com #nerdybynature #pglenvironmental #environmentalconsulting #websitelaunch

PGL is proud to be advancing Phase I Environmental Site Assessment work for various First Nations in BC. Phase I ESAs provide First Nations with the information they need to steward their lands and work towards transferring the administration of reserve lands out of the Indian Act and back to their individual Nations through the First Nations Lands Management Act. Completing Phase I ESAs is an essential component of the individual agreements developed under Section 6 of the Framework Agreement on First Nations Land Management. The resulting information helps establish a shared understanding of environmental conditions and supports informed, Nation-led land governance on reserve. Understanding environmental conditions on reserve lands helps lay the groundwork for effective implementation of Land Codes, informs stewardship activities, and supports due diligence. PGL takes pride in the technical expertise and high-quality reporting we can provide through our strong Phase I team. We thank our First Nations partners for trusting PGL with this important work. #environmentalassessment #siteassessment #pglenvironmental #phaseI #phase1 #firstnations #landsmanagement

We're #hiring a new Junior / Intermediate Environmental Consultant in Whitby, Ontario. Apply today or share this post with your network.

We're #hiring a new Intermediate Environmental Consultant in Whitby, Ontario. Apply today or share this post with your network.

Several PGL team members recently attended GeoEnviroPro’s Risk Solutions 2026: Risk Assessment & Risk Management of Metals. Shannon Brooks and Michelle Ashley participated in person and others joined virtually. The symposium provided a valuable opportunity to exchange insights with industry peers and explore evolving approaches to metals risk assessment, site characterization, and regulatory expectations. These conversations continue to inform and strengthen our approach to complex contaminated sites and risk-based decision-making. It was great to learn and reconnect with colleagues as well as build new connections across the industry. #PGL #EnvironmentalConsulting #RiskAssessment #ContaminatedSites #Metals #ProfessionalDevelopment#RiskAssessment #ContaminatedSites #EnvironmentalConsulting #Metals #CSR #GeoEnviroPro

PGLer Matt Hammond is looking forward to IAIA26 in Quebec City May 19-22. He will be chairing and presenting in a session on Public Trust in Regulatory Systems and Environmental Assessment. Please look out for Matt as he’s keen to (re)connect! International Association for Impact Assessment #impactassessment #IAIA26

PGLers Tanner Leonhardt, P.Eng. (BC, ON) and Sarah Barr, B. Tech., PAg. attended the BC Water & Waste Association (BCWWA) Annual Conference in Penticton last week, and WOW, what an event! Sarah has become a staple at the conference, while this was Tanner’s first year attending. Here’s what Tanner had to say: “The intersection of Contaminated Sites and the Water and Wastewater industry is near and dear to me. With previous experience as a treatment operator in Ontario, a bachelors in Water Resources Engineering, and 8 years of experience working in Contaminated Sites, I couldn’t have picked a better (local) event to attend. It was great to connect faces with email handles, explore connections between PGL’s services and the BC Water and Wastewater Industry, and meet present and future contacts, consultants, and clients throughout BC. It was especially impactful to meet industry and municipal contacts from BC’s Interior, where I live and work in the Okanagan.” Thanks for having us. Already looking forward to next year! #nerdybynature #pglenvironmental #environmentalconsulting #BCWWA #Contaminatedsites #wastewater #watermanagement

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