Ecological Restoration for Engineering and Construction Teams
Polster Environmental Services helps engineering firms, contractors and project owners restore disturbed land. We provide site assessment, treatment planning, installation, field supervision and crew training, with follow-up to assess plant establishment and maintenance needs.
Site assessment
Identify the erosion, soil, water and vegetation conditions that will shape the restoration plan.
Field support
Bring practical soil bioengineering experience to installation, supervision and crew training.
Follow-up
Check plant establishment and site changes, then identify any maintenance or treatment adjustments.
How PES Fits Your Project Team
Bring PES into a project early to help define the restoration work and coordinate it with design and construction. Our role can cover:
- Assessment and planning: review site conditions, identify barriers to vegetation establishment and select suitable treatments.
- Installation and field supervision: plan plant materials, seasonal timing, equipment and access, then support delivery on site.
- Crew training: teach the methods and handling practices needed for the agreed treatment.
The project scope should identify who is responsible for engineering, geotechnical and hydrological work, permits and safety. Soil bioengineering treatments alone do not resolve deep slope instability, major scour or concentrated runoff that has not been addressed.
Download the PES capability sheet (one-page PDF) · Explore courses and crew training
Scope, fees, availability and procurement requirements are agreed for each project.
Choose Treatments That Suit the Site
Moisture, runoff, soil compaction and access can vary across a single site. A smooth or compacted surface may need preparation before seeds or cuttings can establish.
PES considers these conditions when selecting a combination of surface preparation, drainage, live plant material, seeding and conventional protection. The aim is to address the conditions limiting recovery and give vegetation a suitable place to grow.
Experience Across Different Sites
Our project experience includes mine reclamation, transportation corridors, streambanks and developed properties. Explore the examples below for the site conditions, treatments and specific roles involved.
Sectors Served
Mine and Industrial Reclamation
PES provided senior review and direction for vegetation enhancements at Brenda Mine, assessed vegetation at Island Copper, and provided site inspection and vegetation management recommendations at Battle Lake.
The Butler Bros example follows gravel-pit slope treatment and plant establishment.
Highways and Linear Corridors
Road cuts and transportation corridors can require erosion control alongside vegetation establishment. The examples include wattle fencing, live staking and live reinforced earth walls.
Municipalities and Watersheds
Powers Creek and Bowker Creek illustrate approaches to bank erosion and riparian vegetation, with treatments adapted to the water and bank conditions at each site.
Developers and Private Land
Qualicum Beach, Juniper Place and Pender Island show approaches to slope and shoreline restoration using wattle fencing, live cuttings and protection at the base of the slope where needed.
Working with PES
- Review the project. We discuss the site, available information, project stage and the support required.
- Agree the scope. We establish the work, responsibilities, fees and timing, including any further assessment needed.
- Coordinate fieldwork. We confirm access, equipment, plant material and crew arrangements with the project team.
- Plan follow-up. We agree who will inspect establishment, carry out maintenance and report on site changes.
“By creating conditions that allow the natural processes to do the restoration work, the costs of conducting effective restoration can be greatly reduced.”
David Polster, Cost-Effective Strategies for the Restoration of Large Disturbances
Discuss Your Restoration Project
Send the site location, a brief description of the problem, a few photographs and your expected timing. Tell us what stage the project has reached and where you need support. We can then discuss the next step, including whether a field assessment is needed.