Protected Areas - 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.

This webinar will highlight the role of protected areas as nature-based solutions to climate change in New Brunswick. You’ll learn how creating networks of protected areas, connected by ecological corridors, can facilitate the movement of wildlife in a changing climate and increase the resilience of ecosystems across our landscape. 

Join Roberta Clowater and Melanie Jellett from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – New Brunswick Chapter on Wednesday, November 8^th from 12 pm – 1 pm. We’ll discuss how protection of key ecosystems: headwaters, riparian forests, bogs, saltmarshes, and eelgrass beds can build resilience to climate change and help protect our communities. 

Speakers:

Roberta Clowater has been the Executive Director of the New Brunswick Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society since its creation in 2004. Roberta has worked for the past 30 years in leadership roles for non-government conservation organizations in New Brunswick and is Chair of the New Brunswick government’s Protected Natural Areas Provincial Advisory Committee, a founding member of the NB Wildlife Council, and current Chair of the Board for the international Two Countries, One Forest network. 

Melanie Jellett has over a decade’s worth of experience working in the environmental sector in New Brunswick. Her studies at Mount Allison University (Masters of Environmental Science and Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Canadian Studies) helped her deepen her understanding of her surrounding landscapes, both ecological and political. She brings her experience in research, project management and communications to her work in conservation. With a passion for communicating the importance of protecting the natural environment, Mel loves being part of the team at Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society New Brunswick that is working towards this common goal.