CAPG - UofO Smart Prosperity Institute c/o Institute of the Environment

The Municipal Natural Assets Initiative (MNAI) offers a solution to the twin problems of aging infrastructure and climate adaptation facing Canadian municipalities. MNAI is timely because local governments are now required to adopt modern asset management systems focused on sustainable service delivery. Climate change is increasing pressure on infrastructure systems and underscoring needs for complementary strategies to deliver service while containing costs. Natural assets (e.g. floodplains, riparian areas) can, with appropriate support and tools, support stormwater management service delivery and fit into the asset management framework. While engineered solutions are an essential ingredient in stormwater management, natural asset solutions hold great potential to reduce and mitigate risks from extreme stormwater, drought, and floods on a cost effective basis, compared to traditional engineered infrastructure.MNAI offers a methodology, technical support, training and peer learning opportunities for municipalities to integrate natural assets into core asset management and financial processes. This means that natural assets are understood, managed and valued by municipalities in terms of the services they provide (e.g. localized or downstream flood management). This methodology was pioneered by the Town of Gibsons, and is currently being refined through five pilot projects. Five new municipalities have signed up to double the number of projects via the FCM Climate Adaptation funding. Through this initiative, participating municipalities will receive training to integrate the benefits of natural systems into operating and financial planning, allowing participants to operate and maintain their natural assets in the same manner as storm sewers, roads and other engineered assets. This training will include developing baseline knowledge on natural asset management, condition assessments and scenario identification, scenario modeling and economic valuation, and developing operational & financial plans for assets.To ensure uptake, MNAI will use knowledge transfer methods including: a) newsletters to stakeholders (circulation 185+); b) regular presentations, webinars and workshops (budget includes 1 day/month for this; we now average 1–3 presentations/month); c) social media, articles in trade magazines and regular blog postsThe project has four Convening Partners: Smart Prosperity Institute (SPI), David Suzuki Foundation (DSF), Town of Gibsons & Brooke and Associates.Asset Management BC will work with the Convening Partners to share project lessons and guidance with communities; provide ongoing advice to ensure the effective integration of natural capital considerations in asset management; and help to maximize the synergies between relevant communities and disciplines.The Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC and MNAI will work together to amplify each others’ work through communications, education and information sharing activities. The Province of BC through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing will also continue to provide technical guidance and other support.