The Strathcona Regional District has an update on its plans to spend more than $800 thousand from the 2024 Disaster Risk Reduction / Climate Adaptation program.
The money was announced last week to support six projects.
SRD Chair Mark Baker says the two primary initiatives supported by this grant are the restoration of wetlands at Cortes Island School and the hiring of a regional Community Disaster Awareness Assistant.
The sports field at Cortes Island School was constructed by draining and filling a former wetland.
Restoring wetlands there will revive the ecosystem services that wetlands offer for climate adaptation.
Additionally, the District says wetland restoration will reduce the risk of flooding on the fields during the winter months, benefiting both the school and the community's use of sports facilities.
This project will enhance students' understanding of wetlands and their vital role in mitigating climate-related hazards, including increased rainfall, drought, erosion, flooding, freshwater availability, heatwaves, and wildfires.
As well, Homalco First Nation will collaborate with a community engagement specialist on ongoing restoration planning efforts in the area.
This grant will also fund the following projects:
|
Aerial imagery of Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h' First Nations traditional territories. |
Aerial imagery will help Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h' First Nations determine appropriate mitigation activities to protect treaty settlement lands, communities, and cultural and natural assets, particularly food security issues stemming from degraded fish habitats. |
|
Cortes Island Firefighting Water Tanks – “Murals of Hope” |
In 2024 the SRD installed four water tanks on Cortes Island to enhance firefighting response capacity. Murals will be painted on these tanks that signify adapting successfully to a changing climate to inspire ingenuity, conversation and hope. |
|
Willow Creek Watershed Restoration Planning |
Enable Homalco First Nation to collaborate with a community engagement specialist on ongoing restoration planning efforts in the area. The aim is to enhance opportunities for skill-building and training in identifying sites for restoration and natural infrastructure projects. |
|
Walters Island Breakwater Condition Assessment |
Undertake a condition assessment and oceanographic survey to understand the impact of tides, currents, and potential surge impacts on this breakwater. This area was blasted in the 1960s in order to create better boat access, and the debris from that blasting was used to build on top of an already existing breakwater on Crown Land. |
The aim is to enhance opportunities for skill-building and training in identifying sites for restoration and natural infrastructure projects.
For more details about the climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction grant, refer to the province's news release at Government of British Columbia.
Campbell River RCMP Looking For Missing Woman
Family Day Weekend In Raven Country
SRD To Receive Funding To Support Culturally Safe Emergency Responses For Indigenous Peoples
Courtenay Residents Invited To Help Shape Design Guidelines For Development
Comox Valley RCMP Execute Search Warrant In Courtenay
