SRD Receives $400,000 to Support Climate Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Projects
In partnership with the City of Campbell River, Nuchatlaht First Nation, Village of Tahsis, and Village of Zeballos.
Campbell River, BC – 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 Due to the riverbend changes, the 1984 model and map are no longer valid and it needs to be updated to support the ability of decision-makers to effectively both manage flood risk and guide land use decisions.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.”
This grant will also fund the following projects:
| Local Knowledge Sessions: Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Assessment | Starting in 2025, the SRD will host a series of public engagement sessions to gather information from residents and interested parties regarding potential hazards and risks that could impact the vulnerability of communities throughout the region. |
| Ecosystem Restoration: A Path Forward Guidance Document | This document will provide the SRD with a list of potential ecosystem restoration planning projects that could be considered for future grant applications. |
| Tsunami Wave Public Art | Sculptures in the design of a wave will be placed by the outdoor tsunami evacuation signs in Oclucje, Tahsis, Zeballos, and Walters Island. |
For more information about the region’s Climate Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Projects, please visit www.srd.ca/ecosystem-restoration.
Media Contact: Shaun Koopman, SRD Manager of Emergency Services 250-830-6702 | preparedness@srd.ca