Cortes Island School Wetland Restoration Project
Kw'as Park Beaver Coexistence and Flood Mitigation Project
The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) in partnership with the City of Campbell River, Nuchatlaht First Nation, Village of Tahsis, and Village of Zeballos has received $400,992 through the UBCM 2023 Disaster Risk Reduction / Climate Adaptation grant to fund five unique projects.
“This grant demonstrates the value of regional collaboration,” said SRD Chair Mark Baker. “Climate Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction are important for local governments because they help communities prepare for and respond to climate change and natural disasters. By taking steps to adapt to changing conditions and reduce risks, local governments can protect people, property, and essential services, making their communities safer and more resilient in the long run.”
The two primary activities this grant supports are updating the Oyster River Floodplain Map and the Southgate Middle School Wetland Restoration Planning Project.
Previous Oyster River floodplain modeling work was done by BC Water Management Branch in 1984, but over the last 4 decades, the riverbed has shifted. Due to the riverbend changes, the 1984 model and map are no longer valid and it needs to be updated to support the ability of decision-makers to effectively both manage flood risk and guide land use decisions. This project intends to develop updated floodplain mapping to be able to better implement land use planning, emergency planning, and risk mitigation work around the Oyster River and coastal lands in Electoral Area D. Specifically, it will be used to further refine Electoral Area D's Floodplain Hazard Development Permit Area as a possible Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment and contribute background information towards a future SRD Climate Adaptation Plan.
Southgate Middle School has been working closely with Greenways Land Trust on replanting the watershed and creating a native species garden to study biodiversity and traditional plants used by local First Nations. Re-wilding spaces help students learn traditional knowledge and the importance of plants with the help of Indigenous Knowledge Keepers. “Southgate students will be involved in all aspects of the wetland restoration project, from initial design work and layout to planting and maintenance. These opportunities will provide real-life examples of human environmental impact and nature-based solutions that tie into their climate change curriculum” said SRD Emergency Services Manager, Shaun Koopman. “The SRD would like to thank School District 72 for their support and are hopeful to secure grant funding to implement the project's recommendations in the future.”
The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) has received $1,150,052.62 through the 2023 Disaster Risk Reduction / Climate Adaptation grant program to fund five unique ecosystem restoration initiatives. First Nations and local governments throughout the regional district will benefit from funding to help strengthen resilience against climate-related hazards, such as flooding, drought, wildfires and heat.
“This grant was a collaboration between a number of local governments and First Nations and demonstrates the value of regional collaboration,” said SRD Chair Mark Baker. “The goal of each project funded through this grant is to work with nature to increase the resiliency of our ecosystems and communities against climate change. Healthy watersheds and ecosystems are critically important for species conservation and climate adaptation, reducing the impacts and risks caused by floods, droughts, and wildfires.”
“Ecosystem Restoration Planning will help communities better protect themselves against climate-related events” said SRD Protective Services Coordination, Shaun Koopman. “Communities will benefit from the development and implementation of an accurate foundational knowledge of the hazards and risks associated with climate change, as well as effective strategies to prepare for, mitigate, and adapt to those risks.”
The SRD's partners on this grant application include the City of Campbell River, Xwémalhkwu (Homalco) First Nation, Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k:tles7et'h' First Nations, K'ómoks First Nation, Nuchatlaht First Nation, the Village of Gold River and the Village of Sayward.