Wetlands/Naturalized Stormwater Retention Ponds - 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.



Join us for a webinar to learn about naturalized stormwater ponds in two communities in New Brunswick, Dieppe and Sackville. The webinar will include insights into stormwater pond design, successes and challenges, as well as how natural features were incorporated in both projects. Following the presentations, participants will be encouraged to add their voice and questions to the discussion.

Speakers:

Serge T. Dupuis, ing., FIC, MBA, M.Sc.

Serge Dupuis is native to Shediac, New Brunswick, and is a professor of civil engineering at l’Université de Moncton, since 2013, following a long career in municipal engineering which started with the engineering firm SGE Group in Moncton and most recently as Manager of the Engineering Department at the City of Dieppe for 10 years. 

Jamie Burke  - Former CAO of the Town of Sackville

Jamie Burke is the Atlantic Lead for Urban Planning and a Project Manager with Stantec’s Ottawa and Atlantic Community Development Team based in Moncton. Jamie recently joined Stantec and was the former Chief Administrative Officer of the Town of Sackville, New Brunswick. Jamie has held several senior roles in municipal government, including Senior Manager of Corporate Projects, Senior Planner with the City of Moncton and the Greater Moncton Planning District Commission and planning roles with the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and the Eastern District Planning Commission.

Jamie has a Master of Environmental Studies (Planning) from York University, a Bachelor of Science from Mount Allison University, and has undertaken training in Urban Design with the American Planning Association. Jamie is on the Board of Directors for the Atlantic Planners Institute and Friends of Fundy, is the former President of the New Brunswick Association of Planners and has served on several committees with the Canadian Institute of Planners. He is also a part-time lecturer at Mount Allison University. Jamie is a Registered Professional Planner in New Brunswick is a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners.

*This webinar will be bilingual with simultaneous interpretation.