Landscape Architecture and Design
At Dougan Ecology, scientific expertise meets beautiful design.
Our team creates customized, ecologically driven solutions that address site challenges and bring your vision to life.
We collaborate with architects and developers to elevate their projects with smart, nature-based design, and we work directly with property owners to guide them toward landscapes that thrive. No matter the scale, we bring the ecological insight that turns good ideas into lasting, resilient places.
Landscape designers who care about ecology
Our certified landscape architects bring more than 30 years of combined experience and a deep understanding of Canadian ecosystems. They are members of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA), the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA), and hold credentials through the Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP) Program; ensuring every design is grounded in ecological best practices and supports the long-term integrity of your site.
Our expertise includes projects related to:
- Habitat restoration, including wetlands, woodlands, prairies and meadows
- Biodiversity gardens
- Development projects at all scales
- Green infrastructure design
- Trail and park design
- Schoolyard naturalization
- Ecological restoration of disturbed sites
- Assessing and mitigating invasive species
- Mini forest design
Let’s join forces to leave a legacy of design excellence and natural flourishing.
From early site assessment through design, construction, and contract administration, we’re with you at every step, guiding your project with the expertise needed to elevate its ecological value. Together, we unlock the full potential of your site, creating landscapes that are resilient, functional, and unmistakably alive.
Frequently asked questions about landscape architecture and design
Landscape architecture is the design and planning of outdoor spaces. Dougan Ecology’s Landscape Architects focus on integrating ecological principles, native planting, stormwater features, and site context to create functional, resilient, and aesthetically compelling outdoor environments.
We offer full-service landscape architecture, including site planning, grading, native planting design, green infrastructure, and ecological integration.
Dougan Ecology designs spaces that are functional, visually compelling, and ecologically resilient.
Green infrastructure is a design approach that uses natural systems and vegetation-based solutions to manage water, improve air quality, reduce urban heat, and enhance biodiversity, especially in urban areas. Green infrastructure solutions include features like bioswales, rain gardens, permeable paving, green roofs, and native plant buffers. These structures filter stormwater, reduce flooding, sequester carbon, and enhance habitat connectivity.
Ecological landscape design prioritizes ecosystem function, native planting, and hydrological processes. Unlike conventional design, this approach considers soil health, species diversity, pollination, and on-site water balance. Dougan’s landscape architects collaborate with other professionals to ensure designs enhance natural systems while meeting practical and aesthetic goals.
Low-Impact Development (LID) techniques minimize ecological disruption through strategic site design. LID techniques include rain gardens, bioretention cells, vegetated swales, green roofs, and permeable pavement. These features, integrated into landscape architecture, manage stormwater on-site and maintain ecosystem balance. At Dougan Ecology, we design low-impact, sustainable landscapes for institutional and commercial clients that support ecological function while meeting aesthetic and regulatory needs.
Yes, well-designed landscapes contribute points to green certifications. LEED and other sustainability frameworks recognize native planting, water-efficient irrigation, stormwater mitigation, and habitat creation. Dougan incorporates these elements to support certification requirements or municipal sustainability plans.
Designing landscapes with climate adaptation in mind includes enhancing resilience to extreme weather and ecological shifts. Designs anticipate drought, flooding, and assisted species migration by using drought-tolerant native plants, shade trees, and stormwater buffers. These strategies reduce long-term vulnerability and support adaptation in parks and developments.
Landscape architects are licensed professionals trained in complex site planning. In Ontario, landscape architects are accredited by the OALA and work on projects requiring technical, ecological, and regulatory expertise. Designers may focus more on aesthetic plantings and residential scales. Dougan’s team includes certified landscape architects that combine technical expertise with ecological principles to create functional, beautiful and resilient landscapes.
It’s a high-level vision for land use, circulation, and planting.
Master plans synthesize ecological data, stakeholder input, and development goals. They include phasing strategies and implementation plans to guide capital investments and long-term maintenance. Dougan prepares master plans for municipal or institutional clients to facilitate future detailed design or management.
Landscape architects ensure your project is functional, aesthetically pleasing, and environmentally responsible. They design with grading, drainage, planting, and ecological integrity in mind, while meeting municipal and regulatory requirements.
At Dougan Ecology, our landscape architects integrate ecological science with design to create sustainable, compliant, and site-sensitive solutions — whether you're developing land or restoring natural habitat.
Absolutely. Dougan Ecology develops detailed, compliant landscape plans that integrate native plants and ecological design principles to facilitate permit approvals.
Yes, Dougan Ecology provides end-to-end services, from initial design and planning through to construction supervision and post-project monitoring, ensuring successful restoration outcomes.
