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Natural assets like grasslands, forests and wetlands are part of our core infrastructure system, delivering essential services and many benefits to communities. Yet many local governments don’t explicitly protect and manage natural assets for all the services they provide, which may expose them to significant costs and risks, especially in a changing climate. Natural asset management is a proactive approach to infrastructure planning and investment decision making that levels the playing field for nature. Join this full day, applied workshop to learn how to build considerations for nature into land use plans, policies and investments.

Part One: Morning 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Building on a two-part webinar series delivered by the Natural Assets Initiative and International Institute for Sustainable Development in Spring 2024, the morning session will review the fundamentals of natural asset management and explore Canada-wide good practice policies and plans that incorporate natural infrastructure considerations. It is recommended that planners watch the recording of the two-part webinar series in advance of attending this workshop. The links to these recordings will be provided in your registration confirmation.

Lunch: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Part Two: Afternoon 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (in person workshop only)

This interactive portion of the day will build an understanding among participants of ways to strengthen natural asset management in their own organization, with a view to building resilience to climate impacts, improving quality of life and managing the costs and risks of service delivery.  Participants will explore potential next steps relevant to their organization, which might include time-sensitive policy and plan updates, collecting data and information on the condition of natural assets and risks to them, increased internal coordination and collaboration, or external engagement. By taking part in practical exercises and group discussion, participants will leave the workshop with recommended next steps for their organization to make progress.

 

Roy Brooke

Roy has worked in Canada, Europe and Africa in urban sustainability, national politics, international development and humanitarian affairs. He served as Director of Sustainability for the City of Victoria from 2011 to 2013 and between 2003 and 2011 he worked for the United Nations.

Donna Chiarelli

With 25 years’ experience helping to build healthy, prosperous and resilient communities, Donna works to strengthen the integration of natural asset management into infrastructure management and decision making at NAI. Donna is also the owner/principal consultant of Planet A Consulting, and an associate of the Climate Risk Institute. Previously, she acted as a senior advisor and manager of capacity building programming for the Green Municipal Fund (GMF) with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Emily Sharma

Emily is NAI’s communications and outreach advisor and led the development of NAI’s new guidebook, Planning for Nature in the Prairies: Integrating Natural Asset Management in Local Plans and Processes. She supports environmental conservation initiatives by developing accessible and actionable content. She has experience in public relations and creative writing for tourism and non-profit organizations.

October 4, 9:00 am- 4:00 pm. Lunch and refreshments are included.

Members: $120.00 GST Included

Non-Memebers: $140.00 GST Included

Students: $50.00 GST Included

This event qualifies for 6.0 CPL units