About us

Wâpôhow Environmental Services Inc.
is a First Nations-owned environmental services company in Victoria, B.C. focused on Aquatic
Environmental Assessments on Southern Vancouver Island. We provide RAPR assessments for
development in the riparian area, benthic invertebrate field sampling, water sampling, CABIN
surveys (soon), Pacific Streamkeeper surveys and a baseline monitoring program for freshwater
streams for First Nations and non-First Nations communities. We use this “boots in the dirt”
information to provide restoration solutions to enhance the aquatic environment.

Mission statement
To enhance the riparian area to strengthen the resilience of the natural environment supporting the
freshwater stage of anadromous salmonids of Southern Vancouver Island; supporting sustainable human development with holistic approaches to embrace native plants and their co-evolved pollinators, native biodiversity, soil health through bokashi, vermicompost, sustainably harvested seaweed creating an edible landscape for us and our non-human kin; weaving together traditional land management techniques creating urban micro gardens one yard at a time.

Vision statement
To restore traditional environmental stewardship techniques within the urban environment and modify our footprint for the benefit of our human and non-human children.

Hindsight is 20-20, but two-eyed seeing is productive

The story behind our name Wâpôhow Environmental

The name Wâpôhow translates in Cree to be Snowy Owl. This name was
chosen because it represents Knox’s favourite animal in his favourite taxa.
Further, the snowy owl is a majestic bird that surveys the landscape and
notices every detail.

The owl is the silent observer of the landscape, noticing every detail from
the rustling of the leaves in the wind, to the heartbeat of the smallest field
mouse.

Photo credit: Doug Hitchcock. February 2012.

Our two -eyed seeing approach to stewardship

At Wâpôhow we believe in braiding traditional stewardship values
within a western scientific methodological framework. Two-eyed seeing
supports cultural values, traditional ecological knowledge and wisdom,
subsistence economies, and honours the First Nations stewardship
practices that were developed through time immemorial. Only when we
live “in the land”, instead of “on the land”, are our non-human relatives
respected and given the space and support that they need, so that we can
all flourish together.

We wish to acknowledge the hosts of the land of which we live, work, and
play on, the Lək̓ʷəŋən, W̱SÁNEĆ, T’Sou-ke, and the Quw’utsun First Nations.

Our approach at Wâpôhow centers around the unique perspectives of
women, First Nations’ women, and their contributions in STEM

We employ these anti-oppressive research practices.

Joseph, L., Cuerrier, A. and Mathews, D., 2021. Shifting Narratives, Recognizing Resilience: New Anti-Oppressive and Decolonial Approaches to Ethnobotanical Research with Indigenous Communities in Canada. Botany (100). Pp 65-81

Perspectives between gender and socio-economic groups can lead to identification of substantially different things, leading to profoundly different recommendations and conservation practices and law.

Levine, J., Muthukrishna, M., Chan, K. M. A., and Satterfield, T. 2016. Sea otters, social justice, and ecosystem-service
perceptions in Clayoquot Sound, Canada. Conservation Biology. Pp343-352.

Meara McIntosh, BSc (she/her)

Meara is a part-owner of Wâpôhow Environmental Services Inc. (Snowy Owl Environmental Services). Meara has a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology at the University of Victoria and a diploma in Restoration of Natural Systems from the Continuing Education Department. She is certified with the Stewardship Center of BC with a Level 2 certificate in the Green Shores Program. She is currently working on a Master of Science in Environmental Studies at UVic, specializing in freshwater aquatic environmental community dynamics and restoration techniques. She also has small commercial vessel operations certificate, works casual as a deckhand on the University of Victoria’s research boat, the Strickland, snorkels and scuba dives.

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Prior to university, She held certification in municipal water utilities operations with Alberta Environment and Parks. She had Level 1 certification in Water Treatment, Level 2 in Water Distributions, Level 2 in Wastewater Collections, Level 1 in Wastewater Treatment and a Cross Connection Control Certificate with the American Waterworks Association – Western Canada Chapter. She managed the drinking water supply for Wetaskiwin, Alberta as well as the municipal discharge, and stormwater management systems. She developed a Source Control program for the business users of the system and an
Emergency Spill Containment Plan on behalf of the city. She also assisted in the revisions to the Water and Wastewater Bylaws. She did the water testing, and ran the Lead in Drinking Water Awareness program for residents.

In her spare time, she also consult for the development of butterfly gardens and stormwater management on residential property. As a Butterfly Ranger with David Suzuki’s ButterflyWay Program, she is tasked with building a ButterflyWay of urban micro garden habitats across the City of Victoria, B.C.

Credentials

Bachelor of Science‍ ‍

  • Marine Biology University of Victoria (2026)

Diploma

  • Restoration of Natural Systems UVic Continuing Education (2023)

Certificates

  • Environmental Monitoring Certificate UNBC (2026)

  • Green Shores 2 Stewardship Center of British Columbia (2025)

  • Pacific Streamkeepers Federation (2026)‍

  • ROC -M Restricted Operator’s Certificate

  • Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP)

  • Small Non-Pleasure Domestic Vessel Basic

  • Safety (SDV-BS)

  • Domestic Vessel Safety (DVS)

  • Waterworks Technology School (2013)

Tickets

  • Open Water Scuba Diving

  • Dry Suit Diver

Courses

  • QEP RAPR Training Course
    Vancouver Island University (2026)

  • Master of Science - Environmental Studies
    University of Victoria (2027- 2029)

  • Certification - Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network (OBBN 2027)
    Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network (CABIN 2027)
    Permaculture Design Certificate (UVic 2027)

In Progress/Upcoming

  • Water Treatment Level 1 - Alberta Environment and Parks (2016 - 2022)

  • Water Distribution Level 2 - Alberta Environment and Parks (2016 - 2022)

  • Wastewater Collections Level 2 - Alberta Environment and Parks (2016 - 2022)

  • Wastewater Treatment Level 1 - Alberta Environment and Parks (2016 - 2022)

  • Cross Connection Control Specialist - American Waterworks Association Western Canada Chapter (2018 - 2022)

‍ Previously Held Certifications

Knox Kreutzer McIntosh is an owner of Wâpôhow Environmental
Services. He is from Fort McMurray Cree First Nations of Northern
Alberta, but calls the Greater Victoria area home. He has always been
obsessed with animals of every kind. Owls, and in particular, the
Snowy Owl is one of his all-time favourite taxa.

Knox completed the Pacific Streamkeeper’s training and works with
his mother Meara as he continues his quest into land stewardship.

His favourite tasks are bird and fish surveys, and water quality testing.

Knox McIntosh (he/him)

Certificates

  • Pacific Streamkeepers Federation (2026)
    ‍ ‍

Credentials

In Progress

  • Grade 7 in Victoria B.C., School District #61 (2026)

  • Bachelor of Indigenous Land Stewardship at University of British Columbia (anticipated for 2032)

Future Studies