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Trystan Willmott, R.B.Tech.

Position: Senior Biologist
Categories: Biological Sciences

Discipline: Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology

Location: Vancouver Island

Practice Focus:

  • Aquatic & riparian assessments: RAPR assessments; stream/wetland classification; water sampling; watershed/stream GPS mapping.
  • Fisheries & marine work: Fish sampling and salvage; freshwater/marine habitat assessments (incl. forage fish); regulator liaison; monitoring and post-construction reporting.
  • Construction oversight & planning: Environmental Management Plans; construction monitoring; post-construction compliance reporting; permit acquisition.
  • Wildlife surveys: Raptor nest and breeding bird assessments; amphibian and bear den surveys; broader ecological assessments.
  • Habitat impact & restoration: Riparian impact evaluations and habitat enhancement planning.
  • Regulatory frameworks: Water Sustainability Act; Riparian Areas Protection Regulation; Wildlife Act; Fisheries Act; Species at Risk Act; Private Managed Forest Land Act; Forest and Range Practices Act.

Trystan routinely leads assessments related to the management of natural resources in coastal BC and over the past 20 years he has built up a considerable skill set in this field. His high level of experience in resource management has allowed him to act as an expert witness in court.

Trystan regularly manages complex projects that involve government liaison and acquisition of permits related to work in and around sensitive habitat. He is well versed in the application of legislation such as the Water Sustainability Act (WSA) and Fisheries Act to ensure that projects meet government regulator requirements.

Trystan is very experienced in conducting stream assessments for clients in the forestry sector. This involves conducting fish sampling using various techniques to indicate fish presence or absence, describing physical stream parameters, identifying fish distribution limits, and classifying streams using applicable legislation (e.g., Private Managed Forest Land Act and Forest and Range Practices Act).

Trystan has completed over 200 assessments under the Riparian Areas Regulation (RAR) and Riparian Areas Protection Regulation (RAPR). This knowledge allowed him to successfully complete watershed-based mapping of RAR-applicable streams to allow local governments to implement RAR bylaws. He has completed BC-wide reviews of Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) RAR reports on behalf of the provincial government.

Trystan is an avid outdoor enthusiast with a specific passion for fly fishing, a pursuit he has followed for the past 40 years. In addition to fly fishing for Pacific salmon and trout in BC, he has fly-fished for Atlantic salmon in Scotland and Iceland. He specifically enjoys the challenge of fly fishing for winter steelhead on Vancouver Island. When he’s not fishing during his free time, Trystan enjoys trail running, backcountry hiking, and camping.