After years of working in the local government sector, Streamscape Environmental’s leadership is clear on one thing – simply meeting the minimal legal requirements for environmental protection is not enough to truly protect our natural world. This is because the traditional development process views environmental protection as an obligation rather than a benefit, and it is still rare when developers plan their projects with nature in mind.
We see it everyday – subdivisions being built that met all their legal obligations but also wipe out extensive natural habitats and interrupt vital ecosystem services in the process. We believe those same residential (or commercial or industrial or utility or transit-oriented) development projects could have been planned and built to meet the demand while also being inclusive and protective of the plants, animals, and ecosystems that existed on the site first. And that resulting development would be healthier, more sustainable, and less costly to maintain in the long run.
How to Plan WITH Nature
The first step to planning with nature in mind is to understand what is on and surrounding your site before any plans are made. What is the local and regional context of the site? What habitat types are present? Are there streams, wetlands, or vernal pools? What wildlife use the site currently and how do they move through it? Where are there infestations of invasive plants?
These questions can all be answered by site surveys conducted by our highly qualified staff. Once completed, the results of the surveys are combined with other important data, like topography and soils, to create a biological constraints map. With that map and other information we will provide, you can start designing your project to work with the natural context of the site. While resulting in more earth friendly development projects, taking this approach also ensures you will be able to meet environmental obligations, facilitating an easier and less costly permitting path. Visit our Services page for more information on the types of assessments we offer and our Portfolio page for examples of biological constraints maps.