Brewer Pond Restoration Project
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA)
info@rvca.ca
Yes
Natural Infrastructure: projects that conserve/restore/protect natural ecosystem functions for climate resilience and store carbon.
ecosystem-management
community
The former artificial swimming hole, Brewer Park Pond, was reconnected to the main channel of the Rideau River in 2014. The newly connected pond has allowed for increased biodiversity creating a new, vibrant wetland and pond. The restoration includes shoreline plantings, breeding bird habitat, amphibian habitat, turtle nesting beds and basking logs. The pond has provided an improved habitat for the local fish community in the Rideau River all year round.
https://www.rvca.ca/
Champlain Bridge Bioswale
National Capital Commission
info@ncc-ccn.ca
Yes
Nature-Based Approaches: projects that mimic natural processes to reduce climate risks (e.g. naturalized stormwater management ponds or mitigation)
water
regional
The National Capital Commission created a beautiful bioswale and relocated an aging parking area along the Ottawa River. A bioswale is a gently sloping swale lined with highly absorbent sands, soils, and plants designed to slow, and reduce stormwater runoff while filtering out pollutants. The Champlain Bridge parking lot had partially collapsed due to flooding in 2017. The National Capital Commission took this created an opportunity to rebuild the area to be more resilient by moving the parking lot further away from the river and constructing a bioswale to intentionally slow, clean and infiltrate stormwater before it enters into the river. The area is now functioning well and is attractive and more resilient.
https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/
Fletcher Wildlife Garden
Ottawa Field Naturalist Club (OFNC)
ofnc@ofnc.ca
Yes
Nature-Based Approaches: projects that mimic natural processes to reduce climate risks (e.g. naturalized stormwater management ponds or mitigation)
ecosystem-management
community
The Fletcher Wildlife Garden is designed to show how anyone can transform their own garden into one that is wildlife friendly. The garden aims to demonstrate to residents of the Ottawa area how to create or restore wildlife-friendly habitats and gardens in their neighbourhood, emphasizing the use of plants native to this region. The garden contains shelter, water, and a wide variety of berries, seeds, nectar, and food plants to attract many species.
Home
Manordale - Woodvale Demonstration Rain garden
City of Ottawa
rain@ottawa.ca
Yes
Nature-Based Approaches: projects that mimic natural processes to reduce climate risks (e.g. naturalized stormwater management ponds or mitigation)
water
community
A demonstration rain garden was installed at the Manordale-Woodvale Community building in 2021 as part of the City of Ottawa's Rain Ready Ottawa pilot project. The rain garden is composed of native/low maintenance plants and shrubs that are both drought and deluge resistant. The garden redirects stormwater runoff and reduces pollution flowing into storm sewers and waterways. The purpose of the rain garden demonstration site is to have a local example that residents can visit to better understand the concept and to implement it on their own properties.
https://ottawa.ca/en/living-ottawa/environment-conservation-and-climate/protecting-ottawas-waterways/rain-ready-ottawa
Pontiac Street Depave
EnviroCentre, Green Community Canada, The City of Ottawa, The Champlain Park Community Organization
info@envirocentre.ca
Yes
Nature-Based Approaches: projects that mimic natural processes to reduce climate risks (e.g. naturalized stormwater management ponds or mitigation)
natural-infrastructure
community
Pontiac street is located between Champlain Park and the Ottawa river pathway. In order to connect the river pathway cycling/winter trail infrastructure to the community, several partners came together to depave a city block of the street. Depaving is done by removing pavement by hand replacing it with soil and vegetation. This depave area is 325 m2, and includes a 1.5 m section of asphalt that was left as a cycling path through the park.
Home
The Rain Ready Ottawa - Home Assessment Program
City of Ottawa
rain@ottawa.ca
Yes
Hybrid Approaches: projects that are focused on engineering and incorporate natural elements and/or processes into their design.
water
community
The Rain Ready Ottawa Home Assessment program is a pilot program that encourages and supports Ottawa residents to take action on their property to reduce harmful impacts of rainwater runoff. The program offers site visits from a residential stormwater management specialist to assess and offer custom advice and solutions. A full report of customized solutions is submitted to the homeowner, along with resources, information, and available rebates if applicable.
https://ottawa.ca/en/living-ottawa/environment-conservation-and-climate/protecting-ottawas-waterways/rain-ready-ottawa
Sunnyside Avenue
City of Ottawa
Yes
Nature-Based Approaches: projects that mimic natural processes to reduce climate risks (e.g. naturalized stormwater management ponds or mitigation)
natural-infrastructure
municipal
The rapid growth and development of Ottawa over the years has resulted in more hardscapes and less natural surfaces for stormwater to be absorbed. Three bioswales were installed on Sunnyside Avenue to collect stormwater runoff and filter out pollutants before it infiltrates into the native soil. The bioswales are reported to be functioning well, and in many instances exceeding design expectations for rainfall capture and infiltration rates.
Tommy Willow Camp
One School One Farm Shelterbelt Project, Camp Wolf Willow
oneschoolonefarm@gmail.com
Yes
Education/capacity building
capacity
community
This project is a long term partnership between the 'Off the Grid' grade 9 program at Tommy Douglas Collegiate and Camp Wolf Willow. The camp has plans to plant several shelterbelts and the students travel there to help with the planting. The cost of travel went up significantly over the summer, that is one challenge. There are not enough native trees and shrubs available in our region, that is another challenge.
The grade 9 students loved their day of planting and can't wait to go back in the spring. We need more funding to support this.
We need to start our own tree nursery to help cut the costs to land stewards.
Planting For Change
WalterRestoration
One School One Farm Shelterbelt Project
oneschoolonefarm@gmail.com
Yes
Education/capacity building
ecosystem-management
community
This OSOF project was started to have students involved in every aspect of ecological restoration for the site, from growing out native species of prairie flowers and grasses, to traveling to the site to plant them and learn about habitat restoration and biodiversity. The risks this project addresses are loss of biodiversity, erosion control, pollinator support, and long term carbon sequestration in soils and deep rooted perennial prairie plants.
Although we had some tree loss in other projects during the drought of 2021, we had very little loss of native flower and grass species.
Planting For Change
Great Bear Forest Carbon Project
NatureBank, Local First Nations through the Great Bear Carbon Credit Limited Partnership, Nanwakolas Offset Limited Partnership
info@naturebank.com
Yes
Natural Infrastructure: projects that conserve/restore/protect natural ecosystem functions for climate resilience and store carbon.
land-conservation
regional
The Great Bear Forest Carbon Project is an Improved Forest Management project, which generates emission reductions by applying a more sustainable approach to commercial logging in the area, protecting forest areas that were previously designated, sanctioned or approved for commercial logging. The project activities include changes in land-use legislation and regulation that result in the protection of forest areas and reduction of harvest levels. The Project protects and increases carbon stocks by converting forests that were previously available for logging to protected forests, and reduces emissions caused by harvesting, road building and other forestry operations. It is a landmark project for balancing human well being and ecological integrity through carbon finance and an ecosystem-based management approach, and is the first carbon project in North America on traditional territory with unextinguished aboriginal rights and title. Without offset funds, the protected areas would not have been established and harvest levels would not have been reduced. The project proponents are local First Nations through the Great Bear Carbon Credit Limited Partnership and Nanwakolas Offset Limited Partnership.
https://www.naturebank.com/projects/great-bear-forest-carbon-project/
Education about Stormwater Management
ACAP Saint John
office@acapsj.org
Yes
Education/capacity building
water
community
This project involved education and hand-on learning at the YMCA Glen Carpenter Center Day Camp in Saint John. In 2020, we developed a curriculum for educating campers about stormwater management and also held a planting event where we installed a rain garden on site to manage stormwater, and planted native trees and plants in the riparian zone. This event educated the kids and allowed them to connect with the topics we were discussing. The materials developed, including on-site signage will be used to provide education to future groups.
https://www.acapsj.org/adaptsj
Montgomery Crescent Rain Garden
ACAP Saint John
office@acapsj.org
Yes
Natural Infrastructure: projects that conserve/restore/protect natural ecosystem functions for climate resilience and store carbon.
natural-infrastructure
community
We were approached by community members to install a rain garden in an underutilized park space in Saint John's North End. This is the largest garden we have installed, a total of 200m2 and was completed in fall 2021. Volunteers were a huge asset to this project as the workload was extensive, moving soil, planting, building berms and laying beach stone. The site is frequently full of standing water after precipitation events and the garden will help reduce flooding in the park, and in neighbouring homes basements. As precipitation amounts increase, this project will help homeowners identify how to take action and protect their property.
https://www.acapsj.org/adaptsj
The HUB Rain Garden
ACAP Saint John
office@acapsj.org
Yes
Natural Infrastructure: projects that conserve/restore/protect natural ecosystem functions for climate resilience and store carbon.
natural-infrastructure
community
This project was our second rain garden in Saint John, completed in fall of 2019. The runoff beside the building was washing out onto the sidewalk and this garden will reduce flooding, and controlling erosion. It also beautifies the street, allowing community members to observe pollinator species, native plants and wildflowers. Volunteers participated in creating this garden.
https://www.acapsj.org/adaptsj
Rain Garden Pilot Project
ACAP Saint John
office@acapsj.org
Yes
Natural Infrastructure: projects that conserve/restore/protect natural ecosystem functions for climate resilience and store carbon.
natural-infrastructure
community
This is the first rain garden installation in Saint John and was completed in spring 2019. It was developed as a pilot project to demonstrate the role of natural infrastructure in adapting to climate change. Volunteers were engaged and educated about rain gardens during the planting event. Public signage brings attention to the site which has flourished with little maintenance.
https://www.acapsj.org/adaptsj
Riparian Buffers and their Role in Climate Change Adaptation
South Nation Conservation, Plenty Canada, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne
info@nation.on.ca
Yes
Natural Infrastructure: projects that conserve/restore/protect natural ecosystem functions for climate resilience and store carbon.
buffers
watershed
Many farmers are unaware of the economic potential from riparian buffers and choose to crop as close to the watercourse as possible. Access for municipal drain cleanouts also adds a level of uncertainty that results in decisions to not implement buffers.
Fruit and nut trees can be the answer to both future crop production and environmental protection. Complementing these trees with native grasses and pollinator species not only adds biodiversity to riparian buffers, it allows access for future activities related to municipal drain maintenance and creates a local native seed source.
SNC partnered with local farmers, high schools, and First Nation Communities to establish 4 riparian buffer demonstration sites across their jurisdiction. These sites will demonstrate how fruit and nut trees, along with native grasses and pollinator species, can provide critical riparian habitat, protect fields from soil loss and improve local water quality, while still providing an economic return.
The four buffer sites have 500 m buffers along both streambanks, one side with the edible buffer, the other with native grasses and pollinator species. Local Specialist High Skills Major students, an elementary school class and one Scouts Canada troop helped plant the buffers while learning about their importance to First Nations, the environment, and agriculture.
The volunteer component in supporting the planting of the trees was a major contributor to the project success. Having the First Nation traditional knowledge was appreciated, and volunteers commented on how much they learned from hearing a community member speak of their cultural heritage and their connection to the land.
Landowners were unfamiliar with the approach of using edible trees as a viable option for creating buffers along watercourses, they were quick to agree once the benefits (both to them as a future crop and to the environment and their soil health) were explained by staff. It is worth the effort to take the time to have these discussions with landowners, they will ultimately be the best project ambassadors in the future.
The actual establishment of the buffers was more labor intensive that originally planned, if planting with potted stock and/or caliper-sized trees, plan for more staffing resource requirements to support the volunteers; preparing the site in advance (mowing, starting holes for trees, and flagging the site) will ensure the planting event(s) run smoothly.
https://www.nation.on.ca/water/projects/farm-tree-buffer-demonstration-sites
Morgan's Grant Hydro Corridor Restoration
Briarbrook Brookside Morgan's Grant Community Association, Ottawa Stewardship Council, Hydro One, City of Ottawa
ottawastewardshipcouncil@gmail.com
Yes
Nature-Based Approaches: projects that mimic natural processes to reduce climate risks (e.g. naturalized stormwater management ponds or mitigation)
natural-infrastructure
community
The project started in 2016 with a four-way partnership to transform a weedy hydro corridor into useful community green space. Hydro One typically clear cuts a corridor - often filled with non-native species - on a seven year cycle, which provides no ecological benefit. The goals of the corridor restoration project were to: remove invasive species, plant native pollinator species and deep-rooted grasses to absorb storm water, and provide recreation. Community stewardship of the corridor offered Hydro One a means to reduce maintenance costs. The main risk was maintaining long term commitment by the community association (CA), but residents embraced the project and the CA has hired summer students for the last four years to help with critical meadow maintenance tasks. Successes: healthy pollinator meadows, installation of bee hotels and a bat house, and use of this project as an example for other communities in Ottawa.
1. Recognize that a commitment by local staff in a large organization like Hydro One does not guarantee support at the corporate level for a city-wide approach to changing corridor maintenance practices. OSC is working to gain City of Ottawa support to work with Hydro One at the corporate level.
2. Not all residents will support the concept of an infrequently mowed meadow green space adjacent to their backyards. Encroachment and illicit mowing of community space will occur. More work needs to be done to educate on the multiple benefits of the meadow.
Welcome
Blue and Green Corridors in the English River watershed
Ambioterra
info@ambioterra.org
Yes
Natural Infrastructure: projects that conserve/restore/protect natural ecosystem functions for climate resilience and store carbon.
ecosystem-management
Blue and green corridors are natural corridors (forest, pond, riparian, shrub) that connect the various natural areas of a territory. They can take various forms such as buffer strips, a windbreak hedge or buffer zones, be of variable size and generate various benefits for nature and people. For example, the creation of a windbreak made of trees and shrubs between two fields can connect isolated forests. Thus, in addition to being beneficial for the farmer, the windbreak will also serve as a corridor for wildlife.
So far we have planted 8 km of river bank and around 10,000 trees and schrub aside the English River. Many other land owners are waiting for us to come and plant some more trees on their property .
http://www.ambioterra.org/en/green-and-blue-corridors-for-the-english-river-watershed-3/
Marine Riparian Restoration Project Bennett Bay
Sea Change Marine Conservation Society, Mayne Island Conservancy, Gulf Islands National Park
info@mayneconservancy.ca
Yes
Natural Infrastructure: projects that conserve/restore/protect natural ecosystem functions for climate resilience and store carbon.
ecosystem-management
community
The project is part of a larger regional initiative to restore spawning and associated riparian habitat for key anadromous fish species and forage fish spawning habitat. The Bennett Bay site has a long history of livestock grazing and hay crops which have compacted the original soils. The Bennett Bay site shoreline is a cultural site (midden) rapidly eroding with higher water and storm surge levels. As climate changes continue the shoreline will move inland, the decision to create a future riparian shoreline buffered from the current shoreline was to allow time for the planted riparian vegetation to establish and not disturb the existing cultural features. The other objective is to increase and improve prey habitat for juvenile salmon (coho, chinook, pink, chum) and anadromous trout species (steelhead and coastal cutthroat). The Conservancy grown native vegetation (trees and shrubs) has been used and because of drought and heavy winter flooding replantings have occurred. Logs have been placed to replicate coarse woody debris as the vegetation matures. The results through time will help to protect Pacific sand lance spawning habitat on the beach and the large eelgrass meadow in the nearshore. An increase in shoreline vegetation will provide forage and habitat for insect species that contribute to food for forage fish.
Sites with a long history of intensive, degenerative use are require much more site preparation and care of planted seedlings. Species selected for plantings to replace an established riparian fringe and the density and proportion of each used was important in terms of survivability in the early years of the plantings. Replantings had to be planned for.
Working in a culturally sensitive site required open communications and minimal collateral disturbance during plantings. Storm surge and saltwater intrusion balances with the subsurface fresh water coming from the land had to be accounted for in plantings.
Habitat Restoration at Bennett Bay
Natural Edge - Shakespeare Site Saskatoon
South Saskatchewan River Watershed Stewards
info@southsaskriverstewards.ca
Yes
Nature-Based Approaches: projects that mimic natural processes to reduce climate risks (e.g. naturalized stormwater management ponds or mitigation)
ecosystem-management
community
Four Natural Edge Projects were also completed in 2018 at Thode, Beaver Creek Conservation Area, Fred Heal Canoe Launch and one site along the South Saskatchewan River in the City of Saskatoon. Under this program, 200 shrubs were planted for erosion control. Financial support for these projects was provided by the Government of Canada.
https://southsaskriverstewards.ca/projects/natural-edge/
Natural Edge Thode
South Saskatchewan River Watershed Stewards
info@southsaskriverstewards.ca
Yes
Nature-Based Approaches: projects that mimic natural processes to reduce climate risks (e.g. naturalized stormwater management ponds or mitigation)
ecosystem-management
community
Four Natural Edge Projects were also completed in 2018 at Thode, Beaver Creek Conservation Area, Fred Heal Canoe Launch and one site along the South Saskatchewan River in the City of Saskatoon. Under this program, 200 shrubs were planted for erosion control. Financial support for these projects was provided by the Government of Canada.
https://southsaskriverstewards.ca/projects/natural-edge/
Natural Edge Beaver Creek
SSRWSI
info@southsaskriverstewards.ca
Yes
Nature-Based Approaches: projects that mimic natural processes to reduce climate risks (e.g. naturalized stormwater management ponds or mitigation)
ecosystem-management
community
Four Natural Edge Projects were also completed in 2018 at Thode, Beaver Creek Conservation Area, Fred Heal Canoe Launch and one site along the South Saskatchewan River in the City of Saskatoon. Under this program, 200 shrubs were planted for erosion control. Financial support for these projects was provided by the Government of Canada.
https://southsaskriverstewards.ca/projects/natural-edge/
Natural Edge Fred Heal Canoe Launch
SSRWSI
info@southsaskriverstewards.ca
Yes
Nature-Based Approaches: projects that mimic natural processes to reduce climate risks (e.g. naturalized stormwater management ponds or mitigation)
ecosystem-management
community
Four Natural Edge Projects were also completed in 2018 at Thode, Beaver Creek Conservation Area, Fred Heal Canoe Launch and one site along the South Saskatchewan River in the City of Saskatoon. Under this program, 200 shrubs were planted for erosion control. Financial support for these projects was provided by the Government of Canada.
https://southsaskriverstewards.ca/projects/natural-edge/
ALUS Saskatchewan Assiniboine Project
Assiniboine Watershed Stewardship Association, ALUS Canada
j.nielsen@assiniboinewatershed.com
Yes
Natural Infrastructure: projects that conserve/restore/protect natural ecosystem functions for climate resilience and store carbon.
ecosystem-management
watershed
The ALUS Saskatchewan Assiniboine Project began in 2015 as a means to encourage farmers to utilize their marginal agricultural land in an alternative manner, compared to traditional land use. The program provides cost-shared incentive for farmers to convert marginal cropland into perennial tame forage cover, which provides a food source and habitat for wildlife, sequesters carbon, increases water infiltration, and helps conserve & enhance wetland habitat.
A successful environmental stewardship program must make economic sense for the landowner while having tangible environmental merit- ASAP does just that. It allows farmers an alternative means of utilizing their land in order to enhance the ecosystem services provided by the agricultural landscape. A successful program like ASAP provides the flexibility needed for farmers to manage their land in a win/win for their farm and nature.
https://www.assiniboinewatershed.com