Science AND PLANNING Services

Understanding species, systems, and processes to support conservation, planning and design.

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ADVANCING ECOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDING FOR SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS

In an era of increasing environmental challenges, PCI Ecological's science services are at the forefront of understanding and protecting our natural world. Our multi-disciplinary team of experts conducts comprehensive assessments of streams, wetlands, forests, grasslands, parks, open spaces, and ranch lands to evaluate their health and resilience. By combining rigorous scientific methods with a deep appreciation for ecological processes, we develop innovative strategies to improve ecosystem functioning and biodiversity across diverse landscapes.

Our science-based approach not only addresses current environmental issues but also anticipates future challenges, ensuring that our conservation and restoration efforts have lasting positive impacts on both natural systems and human communities. Whether working with urban parks that serve as vital community green spaces, expansive open areas that provide critical wildlife corridors, or working ranches that balance agricultural production with conservation goals, we deliver solutions that honor both ecological integrity and human needs.

OUR SCIENCE & PLANNING SERVICES INCLUDE:

  • Ecological restoration and mitigation program design, implementation, and monitoring

  • Watershed and preserve management planning

  • Park and preserve master planning for natural resources and public access

  • GIS-based habitat mapping and spatial analyses

  • Biological construction services, including species protection and relocation

  • Climate change vulnerability assessments and adaptation planning

  • Ranchland evaluations and restoration design and site enhancements

WHERE OUR EXPERTISE MAKES AN IMPACT

  • Comprehensive evaluation of ecosystem health, biodiversity, and human needs, including vegetation mapping, wildlife surveys, evaluation of movement corridors, trail locations, threat assessments, and management recommendations to guide long-term conservation strategies and restoration priorities.

  • Detailed field investigations to document presence and distribution of threatened species, incorporating seasonal timing, specific survey protocols, and habitat assessments to provide accurate data for environmental review and species protection.

  • Evaluation of potential impacts of sea-level rise on infrastructure, communities, and ecosystems and identification and implementation of coastal resilience enhancements.

  • Scientific evaluation of wetland boundaries and ecosystem services using approved methodologies and detailed analysis of hydrology, soils, and vegetation to document wetland extent and values for regulatory compliance and conservation planning.

  • Science and strategic planning for rehabilitation of watersheds, including streams, adjacent vegetation zones, and groundwater, incorporating hydrology, geomorphology, habitat assessment, and stakeholder input to create comprehensive restoration strategies that support the needs of people and natural systems.

  • Detailed assessment of woodland conditions and fire risk, including vegetation mapping, fuel load analysis, and management recommendations to enhance forest health and reduce fire danger while protecting wildlife habitat.

  • Development of comprehensive strategies to control and eliminate non-native species, including mapping, treatment prescriptions, monitoring protocols, and adaptive management approaches to protect native ecosystems and prevent reinfestation.

  • Developing effective, practical protection approaches for sensitive species and habitats during construction, and providing biological surveys, listed species relocations, crew training, and monitoring while work is underway.

  • Development of strategic approaches to protect marine and coastal ecosystem resources, incorporating sea level rise projections, habitat requirements, and stakeholder coordination to ensure long-term conservation success.

  • Development and implementation of initiatives to increase public awareness of ecological issues, incorporating interpretive materials, and community engagement strategies to build support for environmental projects and initiatives.

Featured science and Planning projects

  • Stage Zero Restoration of Lakeville Creek

    Stage Zero Restoration of Lakeville Creek

    Lakeville Creek is a seasonal tributary to the Petaluma River located on the historic edge of San Pablo Bay. Historic land use has impacted the channel and has resulted in downcutting that has disconnected it from its floodplain and has lowered the groundwater table across a highly erosive landscape.

  • Gualala Mill Bend Public Access and Estuary Enhancement Plan

    Gualala Mill Bend Public Access, Restoration, and Estuary Enhancement Plan

    The Redwood Coast Land Conservancy (RCLC) partnered with PCI Ecological to create the Mill Bend Conservation Plan to guide stewardship, restoration, and public recreation activities at the Mill Bend Preserve.

  • Lower Ten Mile River Salmonid Habitat Enhancement Design and Regulatory Compliance

    Lower Ten Mile River Salmonid Habitat Enhancement Design and Regulatory Compliance

    The Ten Mile River Watershed in Mendocino County, California is considered an important watershed for maintaining and recovering populations of coho salmon, steelhead, and Chinook salmon by National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).

  • Garcia River Estuary Salmonid Habitat Enhancement Design and Regulatory Compliance

    Garcia River Estuary Salmonid Habitat Enhancement Design and Regulatory Compliance

    The river, floodplains, wetlands and estuary surrounding the Garcia River, located 40 miles south of Fort Bragg, support important coastal habitat, plants and wildlife, including a variety of special-status species.

  • Fitch Mountain Park and Open Space Preserve

    Fitch Mountain Park and Open Space Preserve

    Full design for initial public access improvements, including an accessible entry to this steep landscape, was completed in 2023 and construction of the first phase of improvements was completed in spring 2024.

Connect with our team

At PCI Ecological, our team of dedicated professionals brings creativity, talent, and a deep understanding of the environment to each project. Every undertaking moves forward with careful consideration of the needs of stakeholders, government agencies, and the land itself.

Learn more
Carrie Lukacic

Carrie Lukacic
Principal Environmental Planner
carrie@pcz.com | 707.827.8916

Joan Schwan

Joan Schwan
Principal Vegetation Ecologist
jschwan@pcz.com | 707.827.8883