Natural Infrastructure on the Canadian Prairies

Congratulations to Joanna Eyquem on her appointment to the new Canadian Infrastructure Council, which will help deliver the country's first-ever National Infrastructure Assessment (NIA). Announced today, the NIA will support Canada’s long-term infrastructure planning and decision-making by compiling data and evidence and conducting the research and analysis needed to make informed investments that will serve Canadians well into the future. Learn more in Joanna's post and see the rest of the Canadian Infrastructure Council members here: https://lnkd.in/g5fxr4wJ

Members of our team are at the Manitoba Association of Watersheds conference in Brandon, Manitoba. Our Richard Grosshans delivered the opening keynote "From Global to Local: Water Management, It’s in our Nature" this morning. You can find our team in the tradeshow at booth 33. Stop by to see some of the water monitoring equipment used, talk about water research and publications, take a questionnaire, and maybe even get a special surprise! 1: Group photo at the IISD Natural Infrastructure for Water Solutions booth at the #manitobawatershedsconference. From left to right: Richard Grosshans, Ashley Rawluk, Joey Simoes, Aliana Fristensky, and Thomas Saleh. 2: Joey Simoes showcasing some of the field equipment at the booth. 3: Richard Grosshans giving the opening keynote at this year's Manitoba Watersheds Conference.

Nature-based flood protection directly protect 3.7 million people in 358 Canadian population centres from flooding, according to research recently published in the journal Ecosystem Services . Another 20.1 million people — more than half of Canada’s population — were found to indirectly benefit. Local governments need to embrace working with nature when building and upgrading infrastructure in Canada. This quote in the article from Joanna Eyquem, managing director of the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation | Centre Intact d’adaptation au climat reminds us adaptation including nature-based solutions are crucial for our communities. “It’s not just a nice-to-have. It’s protecting our houses and our infrastructure.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/g7sVgjED

Natural infrastructure can enhance existing municipal assets and make them more multi-functional. That was one of many great takeaways from this week's A Municipal Perspective on the Value of Natural Infrastructure webinar. Read the takeaways, get resources, and watch the recording now on our website. The expert panel gathered was co-hosted with ClimateWest and moderated by their Network Coordinator Elizabeth Shearer, MBA. Thanks again to our wonderful panelists, Robb Lukes, with the City of Vancouver Green Infrastructure Implementation Branch; Graham Watt from the City of Grand Forks BC; and Michael Kapetanakis with the International Institute for Sustainable Development and Nature-Based Infrastructure Global Resource Centre.

One more day until our webinar: A Municipal Perspective on the Value of Natural Infrastructure Canada's municipalities own and manage 60% of the country's infrastructure, but how can they recognize and harness the value of natural infrastructure for long-term resilience? Join us for a discussion on the tools, processes, and evidence needed to recognize and champion the value or natural infrastructure alongside traditional infrastructure solutions. Our expert panel will showcase examples for the return on investment for natural infrastructure projects and options for cost recovery with specific project examples. Panelists include: Robb Lukes with the City of Vancouver Green Infrastructure Implementation Branch; Graham Watt from the City of Grand Forks BC; and Michael Kapetanakis with the International Institute for Sustainable Development and Nature-Based Infrastructure Global Resource Centre. The panel will be moderated by Kerra Chomlak of ClimateWest. Register now and don't miss tomorrow's webinar: https://lnkd.in/gF28mbsT

🔍 Did you know Canada's municipalities own and manage 60% of the country's infrastructure? Municipalities have the important responsibility to plan for future long-term resilience of our communities—and working with natural infrastructure can provide value and long-term benefits. On November 26, discover how municipalities are finding the value in natural infrastructure alongside traditional grey options for water services. Hosted by our team and moderated by Kerra Chomlak of ClimateWest, our panel of experts will provide valuable insights into: 🟦 what evidence, tools, and processes do Canadian municipalities need 🟦 specific successful project examples of the return on investment for natural infrastructure projects 🟦the importance for municipalities to recognize the value of natural infrastructure Hear from our expert panellists: Robb Lukes with the City of Vancouver Green Infrastructure Implementation Branch; Graham Watt from the City of Grand Forks BC; and Michael Kapetanakis with the International Institute for Sustainable Development and Nature-Based Infrastructure Global Resource Centre. Our panel will showcase tangible case studies on how municipalities can build resilience and cost-effective infrastructure solutions. Register now and learn more about the webinar: https://lnkd.in/gF28mbsT

Underneath many Canadian cities, historical waterways flow. This incredible interactive feature from CBC News highlights how working with nature can be beneficial for our municipalities and there may be watersheds waiting under our cities to return to the daylight once more. “It’s really important to bring these streams back to life to help us deal with all the challenges that we’re faced with now — urban heat islands, flooding, pollution, loss of ecosystem diversity,” says Helen Mills, a Toronto-based woman who is passionate about these hidden rivers. In Toronto, city council has asked several departments to “explore the feasibility of undertaking an assessment of historical watercourses restoration opportunities” and there are meant to report back in 2024. https://lnkd.in/e8tuKeQV

It's great seeing the City of Selkirk getting more recognition for the success of it's natural infrastructure implementation.

🆕 Sign up for our webinar Nov. 26! Canada’s municipalities manage over half of the nation's infrastructure. But how can they unlock the full value of working with natural solutions, such as wetlands, floodplains, and forests, to build resilient and sustainable communities? Join our panel of experts November 26 for the webinar: A Municipal Perspective on the Value of Natural Infrastructure—hosted by IISD and Natural Infrastructure on the Canadian Prairies and moderated by Kerra Chomlak of ClimateWest. You’ll hear directly from experts working with municipalities who will share practical tools and processes for evaluating and implementing natural infrastructure solutions. Our panelists: 🟩 Robb Lukes with the City of Vancouver Green Infrastructure Implementation Branch; 🟩 Graham Watt from the City of Grand Forks BC; and 🟩 Michael Kapetanakis with the International Institute for Sustainable Development and Nature-Based Infrastructure Global Resource Centre. Register now and learn more about the webinar: https://lnkd.in/gF28mbsT Take away the knowledge you need to advocate for natural infrastructure in your own community!

Great news from the City of Winnipeg who committed last week to spending 10% of combined sewer funds on green infrastructure. The city is working on replacing it's aging combined sewer network and plans to implement more green infrastructure including soil cells and rain gardens—which will help trap and filter water before it enters the system.