Research & Development

The overriding issue of our time is the rapid degradation of the ecosphere. It affects all of us. Recent climate change impact events have served to forcefully inform, if not shock us, into the realization that “systems” originally designed to manage and protect water or air may very well be broken or, at best, not operating effectively. In some case the realty may be worse – the environmental infrastructure may not exist.

Since 1994, GREENLAND^®has been responsible for health & wellness and environmental systems research, including:

Stormwater management facility performance and maintenance;
Surface and groundwater modelling and development web-based information platforms;
Watershed health and stream restoration monitoring tools & best practices;
Remote sensing applications for collaborative river basin protection projects;
Green roof and vegetated or “breathing wall” technologies for new buildings and retrofitted facilities;
Intuitive mobility access systems (incl. “Smart Door” prototype); and,
Design performance verification of Low Impact Development (LID) practices and development of Smart stormwater technologies.

For example, in partnership with other teams, we initiated a research program about a new (yet "natural") water treatment technology for storm water management facilities and waterways. A number of demonstration sites in North America and overseas were identified. Pilot sites were initially constructed. GREENLAND^® was responsible for the monitoring of the Canadian projects and assisted with the preparation of technical publications and conference presentations about the global project findings. The concept for these natural treatment systems is rooted in biomimicry and hydroponics. While these structures are initially being marketed as aesthetically beautiful and able to enhance biodiversity and nurture fish and wildlife, more scientific applications were identified to naturally clean and oxygenate waterways.

Finally, GREENLAND^® was retained to identify alternatives to eradicate invasive fish species in Canadian waterways by using new / existing mechanical and chemical treatment technologies and again to test marketable global products for removing filterable reactive phosphorous from water bodies. Engineering and natural science advice was required on how best to manipulate site-specific problem areas and to design the most effective water body treatment systems, and set of protocols / procedures, while minimizing environmental and property impacts.

Social Media

Client Testimonials

Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA)

Check out this (Greenland) video of THREATS (an open-source cumulative effects assessment tool to help direct environmental management (industrial or other)) and/or planning of future projects. It enables the compiling and juxtaposition of public environmental data (including, but not limited to, wildlife use areas and environmental quality data) with on-site or "targeted" environmental data. For security, the provision to include data protected behind a firewall exists to enable analysis and comparison of potentially sensitive data in the context of other datasets. The goal here is to allow for predictive capability and in turn mitigate potential effects. Equally, this provides a capacity to enable retroactive assessment (investigation of cause) of observed changes. The ability to spatially interpret stressor/pathway/receptor data, and conduct analyses within the tool, while retaining data in its original database (secure) is what is truly unique here. Excited to see what can be achieved with this powerful platform in areas where it has already begun to be used!

Neal Tanna
Advisor, Monitoring and Risk Assessment
Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA)
November 3, 2017

Township of Essa

RE: Township of Essa Engineering Services

On behalf of the Township of Essa (Township), I would like to acknowledge Greenland for its exemplary services to complete the 2022 Community of Angus Infrastructure Master Plan (IMP) Class Environmental Assessment (EA). This legacy Township document developed municipal water and wastewater system models. These calibrated tools were then used by Greenland to develop a sustainable infrastructure planning framework for water and wastewater servicing expansion requirements within the Community of Angus. The project was completed “on-budget and on-time” and cognizant of environmental, technical and socio-economic constraints and opportunities affecting the Township of Essa.

We also appreciate your team’s expertise to provide subsequent model-keeper and development peer review support services. These important responsibilities and overseen by Township staff will help ensure new development approvals proceed in a manner which is consistent with the infrastructure management and expansion needs established by the completed IMP EA project.

Finally, we recognize the professional credentials and attention to detail involvement by your assigned team led by Mr. Josh Maitland, P. Eng.

We look forward to working with Greenland on other projects and serving as a professional reference.

Michael Mikael, P.Eng
Manager of Public Works/Deputy CAO
Township of Essa
October 18, 2023

Member of Parliament - Simcoe-Grey

I would like to offer my congratulations as you celebrate the occasion of your 25th Anniversary.

Your grasp of environmental and development regulations in the Canadian market, and ability to work collaboratively with private and public partnerships in the delivery of award-winning engineering and technologies supporting municipal infrastructures, water resources, asset sustainability and more is most valued.

I wish you many years of prosperity and success in Simcoe-Grey.

Terry Dowdall
Member of Parliament for Simcoe-Grey
November 1, 2019

Corporate Partnerships & Associations