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- calendar_today November 3, 2026
PermaC Land & Environment Inc. Launches Permafrost Erosion Solution
A newly formed company, PermaC Land & Environment Inc., has put forward a novel approach to mitigating permafrost erosion in northern regions. The business, co-founded by academic and entrepreneur Cansu Culha and former Tetlit Gwich’in chief James Ross, was incorporated in January. This summer, the founders field-tested their proprietary product—known as the “green blanket”—on thawing permafrost sites close to Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories.
How the 'Green Blanket' Works
The green blanket is crafted from biodegradable wooded fibres and erosion control materials, according to Culha, an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia. While protecting the intellectual property, Culha described the blanket as a layered material placed directly atop retrogressive thaw slumps—a form of landslide triggered by permafrost thaw. The blanket’s design aims to trap cold within the ground and shield it from incoming heat, helping to stabilize the surrounding soil. Integrated seeds and plant cuttings also serve to restore native tundra vegetation, with an emphasis on long-term land rehabilitation.
Results from Field Tests Near Fort McPherson
In June, the PermaC team deployed the green blanket on two retrogressive thaw slump sites about 50 kilometres from Fort McPherson along the Dempster Highway. One site was stable; the other had been expanding continuously. The stable slump did not experience added erosion after application, Culha reported. To compare effectiveness, only part of the growing slump was covered. By summer’s end, the uncovered section retreated five metres, while the protected land remained mostly intact. At the blanket’s edge, land retreat was less than one metre—an anticipated outcome, as adjacent eroding land exposed the edge to warm air. These results suggest that the blanket could slow the progression of thaw slumps and support native plant regrowth.
Insights from Experts and Local Stakeholders
Steve Kokelj, a senior permafrost scientist at the Northwest Territories Geological Survey, has both studied the affected region and consulted with the company. He emphasized the complex nature of permafrost in the Peel Plateau, where ice content can reach 70 to 80 percent. Thawing here can result in significant land slumping and settling, sometimes lasting for decades and depositing substantial sediment into rivers and lakes.
Kokelj regards the insulative blanket approach as a practical idea, especially for smaller disturbances. Large slumps, displacing millions of cubic metres of material, would likely prove too challenging. Complementary strategies like snow and drainage management may also be needed in the future.
David Kay, a Gwich’in harvester and sub-chief of the Tetlit Gwich’in Band Council, spoke to the risks caused by these slumps, recalling how harvesters have narrowly avoided hidden drops while traversing the land by snowmobile. Kay described PermaC’s blanket as a “band-aid on the land” and expressed hope for broader deployment on Gwich’in territory.
Patent, Commercialization, and Future Steps
PermaC has filed a patent for its green blanket, aiming to protect its innovative solution. Culha stated that while the company is not presently revealing its client base, it is evaluating commercialization opportunities and considering expanding its team. Ross describes their approach as a scientifically backed means of healing the land.
Long-Term Vision for Land Restoration
Culha underlined that true ecological restoration goes beyond synthetic blankets, emphasizing the re-introduction of native tundra vegetation as the foundation for enduring land recovery. She explained, "We believe that the long-term solution is not necessarily to control erosion through these fibres, through these blankets. But rather, it's to bring in native plants that can naturally do the restoration of the lands."
The Broader Context of Permafrost Thaw
As retrogressive thaw slumps continue to threaten ecosystems and infrastructure in northern regions, PermaC’s green blanket initiative represents one of several ongoing efforts to curb these processes. The company sees potential not only to stabilize land, but also to prevent carbon and methane release—critical considerations amid ongoing climate change.
Source: cbc.ca.
