Ecological Consultations

Raina offers ecological consultations and design services for individuals, families, schools, communities and organizations, with a focus on practical, regenerative solutions. With an approach that's grounded in care for land, people, and place, areas of focus include:

  • Fruit and nut tree guilds, food forests, and perennial food systems
  • Regenerative ecosystems that support the entire food web
  • Pollinator gardens, habitat cultivation, and intentionally wild spaces
  • Soil building and long-term land stewardship
  • Placemaking and place-keeping for community and individual's spaces
  • Permaculture design principles
  • Seed saving and seed sovereignty
  • Food growing and season extension
  • Resilient community building and collaboration
  • Native species and learning about what is already growing within an ecosystem

Whether designing a schoolyard learning landscape, a community food project, or a private homestead, Raina works collaboratively to create spaces that nourish people, support biodiversity, and adapt to a changing climate.

Back Road Farm & Forge, as a demonstration site for regenerative homesteading, occasionally offers tours and on-site learning opportunities. Raina also offers speaking engagements and occasional off-site workshops. Reach out to explore possibilities!

We're developing a small permaculture nursery with bare-root nut saplings and other perennial food forest plants. These offerings are typically available in April and October. Be the first to know by joining our newsletter!

  • What to Expect from a Consultation

    Consultations are tailored to each unique project but typically begin with a conversation followed by on-site observation to get to know your land and goals.

    You can expect:

    • A site walk and assessment of soil, water, light, plants, and use patterns
    • Conversation about priorities, constraints, and long-term vision
    • Practical, place-based recommendations grounded in ecological design
    • Clear next steps, with room to grow over time in a phased approach

    Consultations may result in a simple action plan or a more detailed design. Raina aims to offer clear guidance that supports long-term care and stewardship. In some cases, she works with a team of permaculture designers and she can connect you with local landscapers to help implement your project.

    To find out if this process is right for you or to book a consultation, email raina.mcdonald@gmail.com or fill out the form below.
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  • Raina has been growing food for over 15 years in deep connection with the land she calls home in Mi’kma’ki. She completed her Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) with Earth Activist Training in 2018 and continues to learn from the ecosystem at Back Road Farm & Forge, where her family grows diverse perennial food systems, seed-saving gardens, and a year-round passive solar greenhouse. She founded and coordinated the Scotsburn Community Food Forest for the project's first five years and has experience designing climate-ready, edible school grounds, combining hands-on practice with community-focused resilience. She is currently co-teaching a PDC with Charles Williams of Earth Activist Training and is Butterflyway Ranger with the David Suzuki Foundation.

Contact Raina

By email: raina.mcdonald@gmail.com

By phone: 902-754-1768

Or fill out the form below.