SRD Receives $400,000 To Support Climate Adaptation And Disaster Risk Reduction Projects

The Strathcona Regional District has received $400,992 through the UBCM 2023 Disaster Risk Reduction/Climate Adaptation grant to fund five unique projects.

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 in 1984, but over the last 4 decades, the riverbed has shifted.

Due to the river bend changes, the 1984 model and map are no longer valid, and it needs to be updated to support the ability of decision-makers to effectively both manage flood risk and guide land use decisions.

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.

“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.”

To learn more, visit Strathcona Regional District.