We are passionate about Ecological Restoration

  • We are an environmental consulting company based in the Greater Vancouver area that focuses on riparian restoration. Echo Ecological provides habitat conservation and restoration services to previously disturbed aquatic and terrestrial environments in the west coast region of British Columbia. We aim to provide solutions to ecological conservation problems through site assessments, monitoring and detailed individual project design. ​

  • We provide services for individual land owners, non-government organizations, and all levels of government throughout British Columbia.

  • To conduct research, habitat restoration and engage in stewardship for degraded ecosystems on the south coast of British Columbia
    
    We strive to:

    • Develop local habitat mapping and restoration projects

    • Support community stewardship efforts for protecting local wetlands and riparian areas

    • Work with individuals, community-based organizations, businesses, local governments & schools to undertake initiatives to achieve wetlands conservation & habitat restoration. 

Meet the Team

  • Tara Matthews

    Tara Matthews is our CEO and Project Coordinator. She has a BSc in biology, a BSc in Ecological Restoration, and over 9 years working as a restoration ecologist. She has significant experience designing and leading habitat restoration projects in local salmon-bearing streams, estuaries, and wetlands that have seen measurable improvements in water quality, fish returns, plant survival, and wildlife usage.

  • Krystal Brennan

    ​Krystal Brennan, our outreach coordinator, has a BSc in Ecological Restoration and has delivered environmental education programs for 15 years to people of all ages. She develops and leads various outreach and stewardship activities for our organization, and works closely with our project partners, Wildcoast Ecological Society, to manage volunteer events at our various project sites around the Lower Mainland.

  • Cass Rondeau

    Cass Rondeau

    Cass Rondeau is an ecological restoration technician with over 10 years of expertise in habitat restoration, arboriculture, and ecosystem management. Specializing in job site management and crew leadership, Cass is dedicated to revitalizing natural landscapes and fostering sustainable growth. Cass ensures every project is executed with precision, safety, and environmental integrity.

  • Theo Harwood

    Theo Harwood

    Theodore Harwood holds a BSc in ecological restoration from BCIT. Theo has always wanted to work to help ecosystems from a young age. Having volunteered with Noons Creek Hatchery & Belcarra beach keepers in (Port Moody, BC), worked for the Creston Wildlife Management Area (Creston, BC) and with fisheries and oceans at the tenderfoot hatchery (Squamish BC) & Capilano Hatchery (North Vancouver BC) and finally at Echo ecological since 2018 (I think). More recently as crew lead. Theo also produces social media videos using his experience as a YouTuber.

    Currently, he is trying to learn some Halq'eméylem, and is still a nerd for history and gaming.

  • Amanda Desmarais

    Amanda Desmarais

    Amanda Desmarais received the Gold Chord Award for an Associate Degree in Science, specializing in biology, from Douglas College, in 2017. She also studied at BCIT and achieved a diploma in Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation, with distinction, in 2020. Amanda has had a lifelong love of nature and attended her first environmental stewardship activity when she was four years old. She has been volunteering in environmental stewardship since 2012 and has an ever-growing knowledge of plants and animals.

  • Sophie Dickson-Otty

    Sophie Dickson-Otty

    Sophie Dickson-Otty is an ecological restoration technician, GIS wizard, and amateur artist with a BSc in Natural Resource Conservation from UBC Forestry. She has both ecological restoration and forestry experience from the far north of British Columbia, to the Rockies, to the interior Okanagan, to the Salish sea, and now here in Metro Vancouver. Sophie assists in all aspects of ongoing restoration projects, and is an absolute plant enthusiast.

  • Amanda Rajala

    Amanda Rajala has been with us since 2021 as one of our restoration technicians. She holds a BSc in Conservation Biology & Ecology and co-founded a conservation organization in the UK where she studied. Taking her experiences in conservation overseas she has grown her knowledge in wetland restoration through working with Echo. Whilst continuing to work for Echo she will be starting her Master's in Resource and Environmental Management at SFU where her research will focus on understanding the impacts of dams on both ecological and social communities.