Natural Infrastructure on the Canadian Prairies

Local governments across Canada are facing mounting challenges in maintaining reliable and resilient water infrastructure due to aging assets, underinvestment, and the growing impacts of climate change. With support from the federal government, natural infrastructure solutions—like wetlands, rain gardens, and green roofs—can offer a cost-effective, sustainable complement to traditional grey infrastructure. Our new report examines how to better enable natural infrastructure through federal infrastructure programs. Preview the recommendations below and go more in-depth in the full report: https://lnkd.in/gAQ5_jyC Funding the Future: Enabling natural infrastructure through federal infrastructure programs was authored by Christine Mettler, with contributions from Josée Méthot and Dimple Roy.

Discover how local governments can include natural asset disclosures in their financial reports. This new guide from the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation | Centre Intact d’adaptation au climat and authored by Joanna Eyquem, helps manage and demonstrate the financial value of natural resources in Canada. Check out the fantastic infographic with key findings from the report, shared below, and read full guide “Getting Nature into Financial Reporting: Natural Asset Disclosures for Local Governments” at: https://lnkd.in/eyjp3--E https://lnkd.in/eyjp3--E

Register now for ClimateWest's upcoming webinar series on Climate Resilience Training. This three-webinar series is delivered by the Government of Manitoba and hosted by ClimateWest. While it's tailored to communities in Manitoba, but open to all who are interested. ⛈️ March 5—Climate Preparedness 101 ✔️ March 12—How to Conduct a Climate Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (CVRA) 🏙️ March 19—Climate Adaptation Planning Register and learn more about the webinar series: https://lnkd.in/gxUGr6fm

🆕NEW REPORT:🌱 Canada’s federal infrastructure programs can help unlock the full potential of natural infrastructure through practical changes to program design. The International Institute for Sustainable Development's latest report, "Funding the Future: Enabling natural infrastructure through federal infrastructure programs", assesses six federal infrastructure programs against 14 enabling criteria for natural infrastructure and outlines how the federal government can better support natural infrastructure.   Key findings:     🏡Results— Federal infrastructure programs show mixed support for natural infrastructure – some enable it, while others limit it due to program design constraints. Two programs stand out as models: the Natural Infrastructure Fund (2021-2023) and the Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation program (2024-2029).   💧Why it matters— Local governments across Canada are facing an infrastructure crunch. Aging infrastructure, decades of under-investment, and costly extreme weather events are squeezing budgets.   🏙️Recommendations— We propose 14 practical criteria to guide infrastructure program design to better enable working with nature as a core infrastructure strategy. Federal infrastructure programs must be more flexible, better funded, accessible to small and rural communities, and support a wider range of solutions that deliver economic, environmental, and social benefits.   Read the report authored by Christine Mettler, with contributions from Josée Méthot and Dimple Roy: https://lnkd.in/gAQ5_jyC

In a survey from the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association, over 80% of respondents recognize natural infrastructure as a possible solution to their current infrastructure challenges. Don't be left behind on considering and implementing #NaturalInfrastructure solutions. Discover how Prairie communities are using natural infrastructure solutions for water management, building resilience to floods, droughts, and climate change: https://lnkd.in/ePgTmp4J Thanks to the Natural Assets Initiative (NAI) for putting together these insights and resources featuring Dimple Roy, Roy Brooke, Carl Bodimeade, and Duane Nicol.

In the Rural Municipality of St. Andrews, Manitoba, a practical collaboration between a local producer and the East Interlake Watershed District is helping to improve biodiversity and inspire others with a strong example of natural infrastructure at work. In our new feature video, Carl Durand of Futura Farms talks about how his water retention basin and reforestation initiatives are not only boosting farm productivity but also supporting wildlife on his fruit farm and tree nursery. Zoë Bailey from the East Interlake Watershed District explains how their partnership contributes to the watershed's climate resilience. Watch it now: https://lnkd.in/gzfAykAG

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.