Wills' Environmental Services team is a well organized, multi-disciplinary group of professionals with a proven track record in providing innovative environmental solutions on a variety of projects for public and private sector clients.
Wills Environmental Specialists are forward looking, adapt to current markets and implement regulatory requirements to achieve project compliance while reducing, or eliminating, risks and protecting the natural environment.
We take the time to truly understand each project, and ensure all projects are grounded in safety, quality and best management practices to meet the expectations of our clients, while balancing stakeholder interests.
With local expertise, established long-term relationships, and our commitment to clients and our community, our experts connect to projects on a personal level and work collaboratively to provide solutions to complex environmental issues.
Wills' Environmental Services are provided by the following groups:
Environmental Monitoring and Management
The Environmental Monitoring and Management Group provides integrated, interdisciplinary services to identify and assess environmental liabilities and risks to provide innovative solutions for site management and mitigation. Our team has extensive experience providing due diligence services associated with mergers and acquisitions, land transfers, as well as physical environment assessments to support planning applications for land development.
Available Services
Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) and Records of Site Condition (RSC)
Soil and Groundwater Characterization, Remediation Activities and Risk Assessment
Excess Soil Handling and Fill Management Planning
Slope Stability and Geotechnical Assessments
Groundwater Impact Assessments and Reasonable Use Evaluations
Site Plan Approval support for Land Development through Groundwater Aquifer Evaluations, Septic System Design, and Site Servicing Options, including:
Water Taking Needs and Sewage Disposal System Design
Low Impact Development (LID) Infiltration Testing
Comprehensive Waste Management Services
Permit to Take Water Applications
Modelling for Municipal Water Systems, including Source Water Protection Planning
Hydrogeological assessments for Aggregate Resources Act and planning applications.
Natural sciences
The Natural Sciences Team provides biological consulting services to individuals, businesses, and government agencies throughout Ontario. These services include environmental monitoring during construction and compensation projects, erosion and sediment control plan development and on-going monitoring, aquatic habitat assessment and monitoring, wildlife monitoring and management, and Environmental Assessments. Additionally, our biological services include the preparation of Environmental Impact Studies/Natural Heritage Evaluations for proposed developments or property severances that may lie within or adjacent to a natural heritage feature or Species at Risk habitat. Our qualified and experienced biologists assist our valued clients by assessing potential impacts to the natural environment, identifying development constraints and recommending measures to mitigate impacts to allow development to proceed. Our Natural Sciences Team has experience consulting with all levels of government and conservation agencies to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients.
Available Services
Aquatic/Terrestrial Inventory
Breeding Bird Surveys
Amphibian Call Surveys
Benthic Invertebrate Assessments
Fisheries inventories
ELC community classification
Comprehensive plant inventories
Environmental Assessment (EA)
Contribution to the natural environment component of studies related to provincial and municipal Class Environmental Assessments
Environmental Impact Study (EIS)
Comprehensive technical assessments to address provincial and municipal land use planning regulations and policies
Natural Heritage Evaluation
Technical review of existing environmental constraints identified to support the development planning process
Environmental Monitoring
Pre-construction baseline monitoring and design
During construction environmental support including, Species at Risk training, nest/bird sweeps, fish salvage, erosion control inspection, and water quality monitoring
Post construction monitoring and ongoing corrective action
Fisheries Permits and Approvals
DFO self-assessments, request for review, authorization process and compensation plans
Peer Review
Professional review and second opinion for all environmental reporting needs
Species at Risk Assessment
Habitat assessment for aquatic and terrestrial Species at Risk
Development of mitigation strategies for the protection of these species
Wetland Evaluations
Completion of wetland evaluations by Ontario Wetland Evaluation System Certified Inspectors
Wildlife Management
Trapping/removal of nuisance wildlife
Hazing of habituated wildlife
Fish salvage/rescues utilizing both active and passive capture techniques
Environmental Assessment and Permitting
The Environmental Assessment and Permitting Team provides expert service in fulfilling requirements for Individual and Class Environmental Assessments and securing environmental permits approvals. Our expert Environmental Planners, Engineers, Land Use Planners, Biologists, Geologists, and Technicians are well positioned to identify and secure provincial, federal and municipal environmental approvals and permits for infrastructure projects, as well as providing strategic advice to expedite development.
Available Services:
Municipal Class Environmental Assessments for water, sewage, roads and bridges
Ministry of Transportation Class Environmental Assessments for roads and bridges
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Class Environmental Assessments for water control structures and infrastructure
Individual Environmental Assessments for Waste Management
Stakeholder Facilitation and Engagement
Indigenous Community Engagement and Public Consultation
Socio-economic Assessments
Strategic Environmental Assessments and Master Plans