Recent News

Youth Voices Help Shape the Future of the Xwulqw’selu Watershed

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On November 4, 2025

In Fall 2024, as a tag-on to our ongoing work in support of the Xwulqw’selu (Koksilah) Watershed planning process (a holistic planning process co-led by Cowichan Tribes and the Province of BC), Compass organized a youth engagement session with a Grade 5 class at a local Waldorf school. Drawing on our Decision Playbook, and working collaboratively with the teacher, Compass designed activities for the students to practice decision-making […]

Katie O’Donnell Receives TWS Group Achievement Award

Posted by Clayton Schroeder
On November 6, 2024

In October, as part of The Wildlife Society’s (TWS) Out in the Field initiative, Compass’ Katie O’Donnell was honoured to receive the 2024 TWS Group Achievement Award. Out in the Field works to support and elevate LGBTQ+ TWS members and to create a safe and understanding community of wildlife professionals. The group has three simple […]

Culturally Informed Facilitation Training Part II: Building Understanding of Identity and Power Dynamics

Posted by Clayton Schroeder
On October 21, 2024

The purpose of the session was to strengthen our facilitation practices, and our abilities to serve diverse clients, and collaborative processes, across cultural and power differences. We met at the Creekside Community Centre in the neighborhood now known as False Creek. This gathering place is located on the lands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) […]

Culturally Informed Facilitation Training Part I: Reflections on Power and Privilege

Posted by Clayton Schroeder
On June 19, 2024

This session was an opportunity to look back at past reconciliation sessions and reflect on how our own understandings of reconciliation have perhaps shifted and what that’s meant for us, personally and professionally. Many of our past sessions have looked outwards and focused on learning from the world around us. This session was an opportunity […]

New Paper: Methods for Assessing Social and Cultural Losses

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On August 4, 2023

Philip Halteman and several colleagues recently published a paper in the Policy Forum section of Science, based on work they have been involved with over the past many years. The article critiques the lack of inclusion of intangible social and cultural losses in impact assessments (citing losses experienced by Indigenous Peoples as a particularly egregious […]

Takaya Tours

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On June 8, 2023

On June 6 2023, the Compass team gathered on Tsleil-Waututh First Nation territory in North Vancouver for a cultural tour led by Takaya Tours. We had the opportunity to listen to ancient knowledge and wisdom, exploring the beautiful ancestral grounds of Whey-ah-Wichen (which we learned is the name for Cates Park, and means “Faces the […]

Breaking the Binary: LGBTQ+ Wildlife Perspectives

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On November 23, 2022

This month we wanted to shout out the amazing work of Katie O’Donnell on contributing to the new book – Women in Wildlife Science: Building Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Katie and coauthors contributed the chapter “Breaking the Binary: LGBTQ+ Wildlife Perspectives.” The book blends research and personal stories highlighting the challenges faced by women and […]

Compass is Hiring!

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On July 6, 2022

Compass is looking for people to support our team in an exciting range of upcoming projects. Please review the qualifications and job responsibilities on our careers page.

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On June 4, 2022

Following on our May conversation, our June Reconciliation conversation did a deeper dive into the Service Plans and Budgets of a number of ministries (e.g., Ministry of Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship, Ministry of Forests, Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation). Our hope was to gain more insight into how the implementation of DRIPA is […]

Our Decision Tools

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On May 30, 2022

Take a quick look at our latest decision support tools, Altaviz and Hydroviz! Over recent years, Compass has been prototyping, developing, and testing these tools against some of our most complex projects. To learn more about them, click here.

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On May 4, 2022

In May, we reviewed the DRIPA Action Plan. The Action plan was released in March, and outlines 89 specific actions that government ministries will take to create a better province for Indigenous Peoples in B.C. As part of our homework for the session, we reviewed the Plan, and identified the Actions we thought were particularly […]

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On September 28, 2021

This year, Canadians will be honouring Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, on September 30th. This is a day for honouring the victims and survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities. Compass employees will be taking some time to read, learn, and reflect in the spirit of the day. We encourage all […]

Project Story: Franks Tract Futures

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On May 19, 2021

Franks Tract is a 3,300-acre flooded island in the centre of the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta region in California. The intent of this project was to use a Structured Decision Making approach to identify a broadly supported design for restoring Franks Tract that would benefit native species, provide enhanced recreational opportunities and other community benefits, and […]

New Publication – First Nations Fisheries Council Environmental Flow Needs Primer

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On January 19, 2021

Environmental Flow Needs (EFNs) offer First Nations an important avenue to influence and make decisions about water licenses and water use in their territories. EFNs can also be an expression of Indigenous law and a condition for exercising Aboriginal and Treaty Rights to water and fish. This new resource from the BC First Nations Fisheries […]

Wapiti River Water Management Plan

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On January 11, 2021

Compass is pleased to share that the Wapiti River Water Management Plan (WRWMP) has been officially implemented in the Wapiti River Basin, Alberta. The plan provides water allocation guidance for Alberta Environment and Parks and the Alberta Energy Regulator that will help to balance the needs of municipal water supply, industry uses, and a healthy […]

Compass is Hiring!

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On January 4, 2021

Compass is looking for people to support our team in an exciting range of upcoming projects. We currently have both entry-level and mid-level positions. Please review the qualifications and job responsibilities in this job description – If Compass looks like a good fit for you, send your CV and a cover letter to admin [at] compassrm.com by January 12.

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On January 4, 2021

Impact evaluations in North America are required to examine not only the economic, environmental, and health effects of activities but also their social and cultural impacts. In practice, however, many important social and cultural effects are often neglected as part of court-sponsored negotiations and decisions by government regulators because they are not represented in terms […]

Case Study: Lower Athabasca River Water Management Framework

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On May 19, 2020

The Athabasca River emerges from the glaciers of Jasper National Park in Alberta and runs northeast to join the Peace-Athabasca Delta in the northernmost corner of the province. It is one of Canada’s longest free-flowing rivers, famed for its scenery and cultural significance. In recent decades, it has become better known for its role as […]

New Publication – The Decision Playbook

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On February 21, 2020

Compass is branching out – into the education world! For decades, Compass has worked to help communities, governments, First Nations, industry, multi-stakeholder groups, and others untangle complex problems and make thoughtful, rigorous decisions. Now, Compass Principals Lee Failing and Graham Long are turning their attention to a new group of decision-makers: students. The Decision Playbook: […]

Introducing Compass’ Latest Interns

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On February 21, 2020

Compass has had two interns join us this spring, Nikki Kroetsch and Dan Dale. Nikki and Dan are graduate students with the School of Resource and Environmental Management (REM) at Simon Fraser University. As Lee, Sally, Holly, and other former Compass associates are graduates of REM, Compass continues to maintain ties with REM and is […]

Global Climate Action

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On September 23, 2019

Youth across the planet are striking for their future – for a liveable planet. We’re inspired by their vision and their actions. On Friday September 27, Compass will close its doors from 1:00 pm on, as a statement of our concern about the urgency of the climate crisis, and to support staff who want to […]

New Publication – An Online Decision Support Tool for Organic Farmers

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On August 20, 2019

Weeds remain the most commonly cited concern of organic farmers. Without the benefit of synthetic herbicides, organic farmers must rely on a host of ecological weed management (EWM) practices to control weeds. Despite EWM’s ability to improve soil quality, the perceived rate of integrated EWM strategy adoption remains low due to ineffective outreach practices. Christian […]

Spring Interns Announcement

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On April 29, 2019

Compass has had two interns join us this spring, John Morra and Richard Farthing-Nichol. Both John and Richard are students with the School of Resource and Environmental Management (REM) at Simon Fraser University. As Lee, Sally, Holly, and other former staff are graduates of REM, Compass continues to maintain ties with REM and is pleased […]

2018 Year in Review

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On January 15, 2019

2018 was another fantastic year at Compass. It was a year that saw us doing more of the things we’re known for and love to do. It also saw us moving in some new and exciting directions. Here are some highlights: Recovery planning in large rivers, lakes and estuaries continues to be a strong practice […]

Cowichan Valley Regional District, Climate Change and Water Use Planning

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On November 22, 2018

Changes in water demand, land use, and a shifting hydrological cycle from climate change are placing increasing pressures on the availability of water resources in the Cowichan Watershed. The current water management system, designed in the 1950s, is no longer able to reliably meet water use demand. Climate change and associated changes in hydrology for […]

Lee and Sally break down the key issues for the electoral reform referendum in British Columbia

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On November 15, 2018

This Fall, residents of our home province, British Columbia, have an important decision to make – whether to keep our current electoral system of First Past the Post (FPTP) or move to a Proportional Representation (PR) system. The decision will be made through a province wide referendum concluding on Dec. 7, 2018. The motivation for […]

Mobility Pricing Independent Commission delivers final report to TransLink and Mayors’ Council

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On May 24, 2018

The Mobility Pricing Independent Commission presented its final report to the Mayors’ Council and TransLink Board of Directors on May 24, 2018. The Commission’s report (Metro Vancouver Mobility Pricing Study: Findings and Recommendations for an Effective, Farsighted, and Fair Mobility Pricing Policy) is the culmination of an eight-month research and public engagement project to understand […]

Boreal Caribou Range Planning Framework

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On May 14, 2018

The Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT) is seeking public input to help develop a Range Planning Framework for boreal caribou. This framework will guide the development of five regional range plans for managing habitat disturbance across the Northwest Territories. Boreal caribou are in serious decline in some areas and are a threatened species under the federal and […]

MOU to Address Water Governance in the Nicola Watershed

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On April 18, 2018

On March 23, the Nicola Valley’s five First Nation chiefs and the Province of BC signed a historic agreement. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlines the parties’ commitment to work together in a government to government partnership to sustainably manage water resources within the Nicola Watershed. The shared vision will draw on both parties’ laws and […]

Compass at Society of Decision Profesionals DAAG Conference

Posted by Compass Resource Management
On April 9, 2018

Managing Coastal Flood Risks from Sea-Level Rise in Vancouver, BC Rising sea levels pose increasing flood risks for coastal communities. With a projected sea level rise of 1m by 2100, BC communities face the challenging task of understanding hazards, vulnerabilities, and consequences from flood events, and identifying suitable measures to protect multiple interests over large […]

Recent News

Youth Voices Help Shape the Future of the Xwulqw’selu Watershed

Katie O’Donnell Receives TWS Group Achievement Award

Culturally Informed Facilitation Training Part II: Building Understanding of Identity and Power Dynamics

Culturally Informed Facilitation Training Part I: Reflections on Power and Privilege

New Paper: Methods for Assessing Social and Cultural Losses

Takaya Tours

Breaking the Binary: LGBTQ+ Wildlife Perspectives

Compass is Hiring!

How can we support implementation of the DRIPA Action Plan?

Our Decision Tools

What is the DRIPA Action Plan all about?

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Project Story: Franks Tract Futures

New Publication – First Nations Fisheries Council Environmental Flow Needs Primer

Wapiti River Water Management Plan

Compass is Hiring!

New Publication – Compensating Indigenous social and cultural losses: a community-based multiple-attribute approach

Case Study: Lower Athabasca River Water Management Framework

New Publication – The Decision Playbook

Introducing Compass’ Latest Interns

Global Climate Action

New Publication – An Online Decision Support Tool for Organic Farmers

Spring Interns Announcement

2018 Year in Review

Cowichan Valley Regional District, Climate Change and Water Use Planning

Lee and Sally break down the key issues for the electoral reform referendum in British Columbia

Mobility Pricing Independent Commission delivers final report to TransLink and Mayors’ Council

Boreal Caribou Range Planning Framework

MOU to Address Water Governance in the Nicola Watershed

Compass at Society of Decision Profesionals DAAG Conference