Designing Smarter Projects: How AJM Integrates Environmental Insight with Engineering Expertise
At AJM, we are continually enhancing the value we offer clients by strengthening the breadth and integration of our service offerings. In addition to our core environmental consulting capabilities - including wetland, wildlife, aquatic, vegetation, regulatory, and geospatial services - we have recently added complementary engineering design and modelling services to our Consulting Services.
These capabilities are delivered through a curated network of trusted engineering and technical partners, enabling seamless collaboration that bridges environmental insight with engineering rigour.
Why Engineering Design & Modelling Matters
Modern infrastructure and land development projects often require both environmental expertise and engineered solutions that comply with regulatory frameworks, de-risk construction, and support long-term performance. By offering access to engineering design and modelling services, AJM helps clients achieve a holistic project delivery approach that integrates ecology, hydraulics, geotechnics, and constructability - all grounded in rigorous environmental assessment.
Through our partnerships, we now offer:
Watercourse crossing design aligned with provincial Code of Practice requirements and federal application/notification processes;
Pipeline crossing design and scour analysis to support safe and compliant infrastructure planning;
Hydrotechnical engineering, including hydrological and hydraulic modelling to identify the most appropriate crossing type and design;
Geotechnical investigations and surveys to inform design feasibility;
Design-build services for watercourse crossings and select water-related infrastructure;
Bioengineering-based channel and bank reclamation design to support habitat restoration, stabilization, and offsetting requirements;
Site isolation, care-of-water, and water management planning, including EcoPlan support and construction mitigation planning;
Flood and stormwater modelling and management services to inform design, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance.
This expanded suite supports clients in sectors ranging from recreational trail planning to linear infrastructure development, delivering solutions that are fit-for-purpose, environmentally informed, and regulatory savvy.
Working with Trusted Engineering and Technical Partners
Rather than developing all engineering capabilities in-house, AJM collaborates with established engineering and technical service providers. This approach ensures:
Access to specialised engineering expertise when and where it’s needed;
Efficient integration of environmental and engineering workflows;
Responsiveness to project-specific technical challenges without diluting our environmental focus;
Consistency and quality across planning, design, and permitting stages.
Partnering in this way allows AJM to remain nimble and client-centric while delivering complex, integrated outcomes that align with both environmental stewardship and engineering best practices.
Case in Point: Tay River Watercourse Crossing Design
A recent example that highlights the synergy of environmental consulting and engineering design is the Tay River watercourse crossing design project. AJM supported Freshwater Conservation Canada (formerly Trout Unlimited Canada) on the Bringing Back Bull Trout – Tay River initiative, which aimed to improve the sustainability of OHV trail use adjacent to sensitive fish habitat and reduce impacts on at-risk Bull Trout populations.
In this project, AJM worked collaboratively with a trusted engineering service partner (Chevallier Geo-Con Ltd.) to:
Assess trail re-routing options and determine the most appropriate sustainable crossing structures for four degraded OHV ford locations;
Conduct desktop analysis, drone imagery interpretation, field reconnaissance, and aquatic habitat verification;
Recommend crossing types, including single-span bridge, closed-bottom culvert, and modular enviro-span culvert options - based on environmental and technical criteria;
Review and confirm typical design drawings for permitting and construction purposes;
Summarize regulatory requirements, estimate construction budgets, prepare materials lists, and outline best management practices for implementation.
This project effectively demonstrates how environmental science and engineering design converge to deliver sustainable, site-appropriate infrastructure solutions that meet regulatory expectations and support ecological integrity.
Delivering Integrated Solutions for Complex Challenges
Our expanded Consulting Services offering reflects AJM’s commitment to delivering integrated, practical, and environmentally responsible solutions. By combining robust environmental consulting with engineering design and modelling, we equip clients to navigate complex permitting landscapes, address technical challenges, and advance projects with confidence.
Clients can now leverage a unified service framework that blends environmental science and engineering design - backed by trusted partners - to reduce risk, streamline delivery, and support better outcomes for people and ecosystems alike.
To learn more about our Consulting Services or discuss how our engineering partnerships can support your next project, please visit our Consulting Services page or reach out to our team.