Consultant - Feasibility study for high marsh ecological recovery

Constultant / Consulting Positions

Position: Consultant - Feasibility study for high marsh ecological recovery.

Organization: WWF-Canada

Location: Applicants for this Term of Reference need to be East Vancouver Island based between Victoria, B.C. and Campbell River, B.C.

Terms of Reference

Context / Background

Halalt First Nation is actively engaged on the long-term stewardship, restoration planning, and undertaking restorative efforts within the Chemainus River Estuary for future generations. Their stewardship focus is to enhance the Chemainus River Watershed and Estuary, including a focus on enhancement of natural estuarine habitats and their ecological function for culturally important species and traditional food systems recovery.

WWF-Canada has been a supportive partner in tackling restoration in their traditional territory. Halalt First Nation’s Natural Resource Department has identified a historically modified site within the Chemainus River Estuary that would benefit from enhancement to restore the ecological function of this high marsh region and its services. However, it is important to first consider the feasibility of recovery for this site, so that recovery actions taken are ideal to restore ecological function at the location.

Objectives and Rules of the Engagement

The objective of this project is to utilize available baseline information collected by Halalt First Nation and their partners to complete a feasibility study for high marsh restoration at a site within the Lower Chemainus River Estuary. It should strive to apply a blending of a relational approach to improving relations with the land while following the Standards for Ecological Restoration Guidelines. Once goals for restoration have been identified by the communities involved the feasibility study should include an assessment of site condition and a planting prescription plan for native marsh vegetation based on elevations and hydrology at the site. This feasibility study for the site is intended to be utilized by Halalt First Nation’s Natural Resource Department to engage community members and local community stakeholders around restoration actions for this site and garner their input to the prescription plan. Engagement with the Halalt Biologist within the Natural Resource Department will be mandatory in the development of this study and planting prescription plan.

Any information shared by Halalt First Nation and their partners to inform this feasibility assessment will follow the OCAP principles (Ownership, Control, Access, and Possessions principles).

Description Of The Services Required / Scope Of Work

The consultant and/or restoration practitioner will engage with Halalt First Nation’s biologist to complete the following activities to develop a feasibility study for high marsh ecological recovery at a modified site within the Lower Chemainus River Estuary:

• Undertake historical research: use old aerial photos, land surveys, records and reports to determine the sites desired past and potential desired future condition.
• Based on the historical review: develop a list of invasive species, where known compile the best management practices for these invasive species.
• Complete an existing site condition analysis: obtain and utilize current monitoring data (e.g., hydrological, salinity, topography, etc.) to document current conditions at the site, including identification of stressors (e.g., pollution sources, invasive species) and indicate any data gaps that might exist.
• Engage with Halalt First Nation’s Natural Resource Department and WWF-Canada on a site visit to discuss the current site condition.
• Complete an ecological and social assessment and associated goals: evaluate the potential, achievable restoration goals based on Halalt priorities, the Society for Ecological Restoration Standards, local ecology, such as native species habitat requirements and natural succession paths for the site and identify if any technical and engineering requirements (e.g., earthmoving) exist at the site.
• Complete a preliminary conceptual design for the site: a preliminary map or diagram outlining a planting prescription for native plants based on the hydrology and elevation of the site and management of the invasives.
• Examine the economic feasibility: determine the associated costs to complete monitoring for informational gaps for the site and the estimated costs of the native vegetation to complete the preliminary planting prescription at the site.
• Examine the regulatory and legal requirements: identify the required permits, land ownership, access rights, and compliance with local, provincial, or federal regulations.
• Compile the information into a feasibility study for Halalt First Nation’s Natural Resources Department to engage both their community and the local communities around ecological recovery of this site.

Key Deliverables and Expected Timeframe

The consultant and/or restoration practitioner will be responsible for completing the deliverables provided in Table 1 in a manner satisfactory to WWF-Canada and Halalt First Nation’s biologist. All deliverables will need to be completed on or before September 15, 2026, unless otherwise extended by WWF-Canada in writing.

The consultant and/or restoration practitioner will be given reasonable access to all relevant existing site data collected by Halalt First Nation and their partners to complete the feasibility study. They will need to work closely with Halalt First Nation’s biologist and WWF-Canada’s designated project staff. WWF-Canada will coordinate the review of each draft with Halalt First Nation’s biologist to obtain the written feedback of the submission of the respective draft for review with the aim to have feedback within 10 business days of submission. A couple of check in meetings between Halalt First Nation, WWF-Canada, and consultant and/or restoration practitioner will be expected to ensure the research and documentation are meeting the needs of Halalt First Nation.

Table 1. Project Deliverables

Deliverables (consultant and/or restoration practitioner to submit to WWF-Canada for Halalt First Nation input)

Report

1 A Draft feasibility study outline

1 B Draft full feasibility study

1 C Final feasibility study with references

The successful contractor shall be paid the agreed upon service fee in the following manner:

• 25% of the total service fee payable upon execution of professional service agreement;
• 25% of the total service fee payable upon progress meeting with WWF-Canada and review of Deliverable 1B; and,
• 50% of the total service fee payable upon the submission of Deliverable 1C.

The payment terms mentioned above may be revised if agreed by WWF-Canada in writing.

Required Qualifications And Experience

The required qualifications for the consultant and/or restoration practitioner include:

• Previous experience with working with First Nations.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Strong technical, analytical, and drafting skills.
• Demonstrated experience in practical and theoretical knowledge of coastal ecosystems and their functions.
• Previous experience developing preliminary conceptual design and budget for restoration projects.
• Previous experience in ecological assessments for coastal wetlands.
• Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner, Registered Professional Biologist or similar designation.

Submission Instructions

Interested Parties Can Submit Questions Related To The Terms Of Reference, If Necessary To ***email_hidden*** . Quotations From Interested Parties Should Be Received On Or Before May 19, 2026, And Should Be Structured To Include The Following Information To ***email_hidden***

• Executive Summary
• Provide a description of yourself/ your firm including, inter alia, the following:
• Total number of staff/employees who will be working on the project along with their experience and qualifications. Please also explain about your practice in changing team member(s) if needed.
• Total years of experiences and details of industries with whom you have worked.
• Please provide a description of relevant work which demonstrates knowledge and experience related to:
• experience with conceptual design and budgeting for restoration
• analysis of technical data used to prepare ecological assessments
• practical and theoretical knowledge of coastal habitats
• Summary of the proposed approach along with timelines to undertake this project and perform all deliverables on or before the project completion date i.e., [please provide the completion date here].
• An outline or structure of what will be included within the feasibility study report.
• Proposed fixed fee structure along with a break down including administrative expenses, out-of-pocket expenses, travel expenses, staff time etc.

Applicants for this Term of Reference need to be East Vancouver Island based between Victoria, B.C. and Campbell River, B.C.

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