• Natural Systems Design

     Woodlands

     Buffers

• Habitat Restoration and Monitoring

• Edge Management Plans

• Ravine Stewardship Plans

• Contract Administration

Ecological Restoration begins with a thorough review of biophysical resources of the subject sites with the goal of creating self-sustaining ecosystems that encourage the success of organisms including plants, reptiles, mammals and birds. Effective and economical restoration strategies are developed that incorporate our understanding of ecosystem functions, and restoration methods and techniques. In the preparation of ecological restoration designs, liaison with municipalities and regulatory agencies are sought after and often required so that acceptable and agreed upon solutions are developed.

Implementation of Ecological Restoration Designs requires a specialized skill set beyond traditional construction. Through years of experience we have created customized detail and specification documents, which are then brought to life by one of a select group of experienced contractors.

Our team has decades of field experience to offer practical and effective protection, mitigation, and stewardship strategies including monitoring to assist in the management of vegetation and wildlife in natural areas, prior to or following disturbance and implementation of mitigation measures.

Gray Tree Frog (Hyla versicolor) .  Guelph 

Tree Cavity .  Vaughan

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum) .  Vaughan 

SELECTED PROJECT EXPERIENCE

Wellington Terrace Long Term Care Facility
County of Wellington, Township of Centre Wellington (Elora), 2004-2007

Aboud & Associates was retained to delineate wetland boundaries and prepare wetland enhancement plans of a local wetland on the subject lands. Additional phases of the project include the Landscape Design of storm water management facilities and salvage of existing vegetation along the Elora Cataract Trailway.

Red Osier Dogwood Thicket . Elora

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Wrigley Canada Ecological Ravine Stewardship Plan

Wrigley Canada, Toronto, 2004-2006

This Ecological Ravine Stewardship Plan of the Wilket Creek Ravine, was prepared in accordance with the new City of Toronto Ravine Protection Bylaw. The comprehensive multi-year rehabilitation/mitigation plan required extensive site analysis including arborist reports, OMNR Ecological Land Classification, and a detailed analysis of soil/vegetation of the top of bank, slope and riparian communities to identify appropriate mitigative techniques. The plan also incorporates the opportunity for self-guided nature interpretation of the site by employees and visitors.

Wilket Creek Ravine .  Toronto

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Block 12 - Edge Management Plan (EMP)

Block 12 Properties Inc., Vaughan, 2003-2008 (ongoing)

The Block 12 Terrestrial Resources Edge Management Plan (EMP) first characterized the terrestrial resources of the approximately 400-hectare community block, including over 16 km of natural feature edges. Following an impact analysis and ecological assessment, Aboud & Associates prepared detailed mitigation and self-sustaining, multi-phased ecological restoration plans for edges of woodlots, valleylands, large restored buffers, and significant hedgerows throughout the entire community. The EMP also includes a multi-year monitoring schedule and a community stewardship program.

Aboud & Associates is currently providing contract administration and construction review for the first phase of ecological restoration.

Block 12 .  Vaughan

McLean’s Woods and Kleinberg Woodlots Edge Management Plans

Metrus Development Inc., Vaughan, 2002-2008 (ongoing)

Detailed edge management plan of the impacts from proposed subdivision development of McLean’s Woods (Life Science ANSI – Province of Ontario and Environmental Significant Area – TRCA). The restoration program included tree inventory (tagging and assessment), thinning, grading, terraseeding, plantings of indigenous trees, shrubs, forbs, graminoids, and monitoring. Aboud & Associates has also developed trail, hedgerow restoration and mitigation plans of several nearby woodlots in the Vellore Village Community.

McLean's Woods . Vaughan

West Humber River Valleyland Naturalization Master Plan

City of Toronto, Toronto, 2001-2002

This master plan provided recommended naturalization / restoration tasks, time scheduling and budgeting for implementation to be carried out by and coordinated with the City of Toronto. The study area is  of an open valley area stressed by invasive species, soil erosion and human traffic. Aesthetics and functionality built on ecological principles were provided in the Master Plan.

West Humber River .  Toronto

Ecosystem Demonstration Plots, Highway 407

Canadian Highways International Constructors, Brampton, 1999

As a part of the initial construction of Highway 407 ETR, Aboud & Associates  designed seed mixes and installed plots (800 square metres) to determine the effectiveness and success of establishing a meadow system of indigenous species along the 407 ETR roadsides.

Monitoring Plots - Highway 407 .  Brampton

Survey of the Status of Cucumber Tree (Magnolia acuminata)

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (under contract with Dougan & Associates), Guelph, 1998

Survey of the Status of Cucumber Tree (Magnolia acuminata), an endangered Canadian species. Background data on tree locations and property ownership were gathered, followed by field surveys to locate and inventory plants, classify their occupied and endangered habitat, and map their locations on Ontario Base Maps.

 Cucumber Tree .  Guelph

Environment Canada Website

Block 10 - Vegetation Community Assessment & Woodlot Edge Management Plans

Thornhill Woods Developers Group, Vaughan, 1996-2008 (on-going)

Conduct a detailed biophysical inventory of vegetation resources of a 400-hectare block community plan, using aerial photography and detailed site reconnaissance. A detailed survey of woodlots, valleylands, hedgerows, wetlands and heritage tree features was prepared and mapped. Detailed assessment of features to be preserved included identification of hazard trees, areas requiring mitigation plantings, a tree tagging and monitoring program, recommendations of trail assignments and treatments, and the location of user entrances into woodlots. Aboud & Associates was then retained to provide contract administration, construction review for implementation of the mitigation plans, as well as undertaking a multi-year monitoring program.

Baker's Woodlot-Block 10 , Vaughan

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