Hybrid infrastructure approaches to climate adaptation and mitigation - Learning from Connected Communities: An in-depth look at Nature-Based Climate Solutions in Atlantic Canada

Climate change is here, it is happening, and it is impacting New Brunswickers across the province and other Atlantic Canada residents.  Nature-based and natural approaches to adapting to climate change focus on implementing infrastructure that restores and protects natural areas while removing greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere, reducing flooding and stormwater surge risks, and supporting biodiversity.

There is interest and support for nature-based climate solutions from residents (see public survey of opinion results here) and there are many examples of successful projects across the region (see maps of case studies here).  Municipalities, community organizations, and landowners, however, face many barriers and challenges to developing their own nature-based projects including access to funding, materials, knowledgeable contractors, native plants, and more.

Join the NBEN, CLIMAtlantic, and Nature NB for a seven-part webinar and discussion series throughout June and early July where we will hear from communities across the Atlantic Provinces who have implemented nature-based infrastructure. Let's learn from their experience to understand the  challenges they encountered in the process, how they overcame those challenges, where they accessed the funds and resources, and what the results/successes of the projects have been. There will be opportunities to ask speakers your pressing questions and receive input and advice to surpass the challenges you might be facing in your communities.



This fourth webinar will explore different hybrid infrastructure approaches including green roofs and green shores for property owners. One of the many ways to integrate nature-based approaches to infrastructure into mainstream decision-making, is to implement hybrid solutions which meld the strengths of both nature-based/green infrastructure with grey/human-made infrastructure, while still providing additional benefits to the human and natural environments. These hybrid approaches may take many forms, but on June 22nd from 12-1pm Amanda Marlin from EOS Eco-Energy will speak to their work developing and maintaining a green roof in Sackville, New Brunswick, followed by Kelly Umlah from Transcoastal Adaptations who will speak to their Green Shores program to support hybrid efforts to improve the stability and adaptative capacity of shorelines.



Speakers:

Amanda Marlin, originally from Quebec’s Eastern Townships, has a Degree in Geography from Mount Allison University and a Master’s in Environmental Studies from Dalhousie University. Amanda has worked in the community development field for over 20 years working on historical, indigenous, sustainability planning, and environmental projects. In the past, she worked as an associate with Chignecto Consulting Group, Mount Allison University’s Rural and Small-Town Program, and Agriculture Canada. Since 2013 Amanda has been Executive Director at EOS Eco-Energy, an award-winning environmental charity. Her work with EOS has focused on climate change adaptation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable living, environmental education, natural infrastructure and leading a team of staff and volunteers. She has also served on the boards of the Tantramar Family Resource Centre, Aster Group Environmental Services Co-op, New Brunswick Environmental Network, Beausejour Renewable Energy Co-op, the Town of Sackville’s Climate Change Advisory Committee of Council, and parents’ committees at local schools. She recently received a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medal for outstanding community service in New Brunswick. She will be chatting about her experience coordinating a green roof project in Sackville, New Brunswick.

 

Kelly Umlah coordinates the Green Shores® program on the East coast. Their job as Education and Outreach Coordinator is to promote the use of Nature-Based Solutions to climate change impacts through knowledge sharing, technical training, and implementing the Green Shores principles into shoreline adaptation projects.





This webinar will be in English with French interpretation.