What We Do

Lichen Land & Water Inc. is a small land and water resource sciences firm based in Portland, Oregon, with work throughout the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain West. We are working with our partners to advance the ways we manage watersheds, floodplains, and landscapes for benefits of ecosystems and people.

Our specific services include:

  • River restoration design and assessment
  • Geomorphic and sediment assessment
  • Feasibility assessments
  • Irrigation efficiency upgrades
  • Hydraulic modeling
  • GIS, remote sensing, and analysis
  • Watershed monitoring
  • Adaptive management strategies
  • Salmon recovery planning and policy
  • Grant writing and funding acquisition
  • Watershed planning (urban to rural)
  • Land conservation planning
  • Fish passage
  • Floodplain resilience (planning and policy)
  • Teaching and community partnerships
  • Hazard and risk assessments
  • Science communication
  • Project management
  • Facilitation

How We Help

Our current projects are:

  • Building integrated plans to reduce risk and improve ecosystem function in developed floodplains through river analytics and collaborative engagement
  • Restoring streams, rivers, and floodplains to provide benefits for salmon and address downstream water quality and quantity concerns
  • Advancing understanding of watershed processes and recovery potential through analysis of geomorphic and hydrologic studies
  • Creating action-oriented strategies to recover salmonids in the face of climate change
  • Refining the ways agencies measure, monitor, and track watershed restoration progress at multiple scales
  • Convening partners to share learning, adaptively manage, and prioritize restoration actions over large watersheds and basins
  • Improving ecosystem, agricultural, and fire resilience through water delivery system upgrades

Who We Are

Nick Legg, PG, CEG

Principal Geomorphologist | President

Nick established Lichen in 2024 to build a science-based practice and advance health and safety in our watersheds and communities. He draws on nearly two decades of work restoring watersheds as a geologist and geomorphologist, with an emphasis on dynamic streams and floodplains of the Pacific Northwest. He promotes progress on complex environmental challenges through a collaborative and cross-disciplinary approach, informed by his formal education in both geomorphology and economics.

In his work on large-scale technical assessments, restoration designs, and strategic planning efforts, Nick has advanced the practice in channel migration zone management, sediment evaluation, floodplain restoration, and urban stream resilience. His organizational knowledge gained through leadership positions in companies and non-profit boards further informs his approach to strategic initiatives with clients and partners. Outside of work, Nick spends time exploring the Pacific Northwest with his wife, two young girls, and dog.

Education:

  • M.S. Geology - Oregon State University
  • B.S. Geology & Economics - University of Wisconsin

Licenses:

  • Professional Geologist (OR G2560, WA 3056)
  • Certified Engineering Geologist (OR E2560)

Dominique Shore

Geomorphologist

Dominique Shore is a dedicated geomorphologist with 4 years of experience in managing and restoring stream environments. With a strong background in geology and practical training in sediment transport and low-tech restoration methods, Dominique has successfully led numerous projects focused on enhancing river and floodplain health. She has also completed numerous monitoring projects to assess water quality and quantity trends in response to climatic shifts and restoration action.

Dominique's collaborative approach and ability to secure funding have been pivotal in executing river and floodplain restoration projects. She is dedicated to outreach and education, ensuring that scientific knowledge translates to practical, on-the-ground restoration efforts. While not working on restoring rivers, Dominique spends her free time floating and fishing them in the Intermountain West.

Education:

  • M.S. Geology - Utah State University
  • B.S. Geology - Fort Lewis College