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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEducation Boards - Designing with Nature precipitation evapo- transpiration 40-50% water table Groundwater 10-40% Nature Often Provides Multiple Social, Economic, and Environmental Benefits To The Community DESIGNING WITH NATURE – Towards Sustainable Communities • During winter months, evaporation continues to be active while the transpiration component is minimal. • Storm events are moderated by infiltration, evaporation, and transpiration. • Water is available in substrata to sustain stream base flows during summer months. • As winter progresses, the interflow component of stream flow increases. • During the summer and fall, streams are maintained primarily by glacial melt water and/or groundwater flow. Natural Rainwater Management Risk Management Rainwater and Storm Water Management Community Greenways Carbon sequestration Energy and Water Conservation Eco Tourism and Recreation Health and Connectivity to Natural Places Higher Resale Values How Can Nature Help Our Communities? Environmental Management Strategy Framework Communications •Neighbourhood consultation/outreach •Youth Services •Stewardship Opportunities & Local Resources at Work Ecological Health •Priority Habitat Management Plans •Watershed Management Plans •Park Acquisition Management Program •Community Greenway Corridors •Recreation/Eco Tourism •Invasive Plant Management •Monitoring & Evaluating Natural Assets •Groundwater Management Plans Sustainable Neighbourhoods •Smart Growth on Ground – Town Centre •Stream Protection and Management •Food Security •Soils Management •Slope Management •Access/Trails •Storm and Rainwater Management •Enhancements/Restoration •Tree management and protection •Erosion Site Source Controls •Integrated Hazard Management Title Elements of an Ecological Network • Regional Biodiversity Core Areas • Biodiversity Core Areas • Stepping Stones and linkages (natural & semi-natural) A Functioning Ecological Network Components of a functioning Ecological network… • A wide vegetation corridor along major watercourses • Several large natural areas known as core areas • Connectivity for movement of species among the core habitat areas, either through wide, continuous corridors or a series of 'stepping stones' • A diverse mixture of natural areas throughout the developed parts of the city that can serve as wildlife habitat or connect other, larger natural areas Greenway Corridors & Hubs Tools for Consideration Integrated Ecological Design Ecological Network Management Priorities Valuation of Natural Assets and Services David Suzuki Foundation and Pacific Parklands Foundation Why do we undervalue nature? Nature’s benefits are worth trillions, but…. •Are not measured or monitored •Treated as externalities Maple Ridge Sustainable Development Strategy Ecological Planning Approach • Ecological resiliency for hazards • Less stormwater infrastructure • Recreation/parks/eco-tourism • Micro-climate management • Groundwater management • Soils conservation • Energy conservation • Biodiversity conservation • Increased value of property Environmental Planning using ecological design principles can provide various benefits/services: Smart Growth on the Ground for the Town Centre •To promote open space and green infrastructure •To reduce urban sprawl Urban Containment Boundary Environmental Review Process Enhancement Potential •Stewardship enhancement •Invasive plant management •Habitat enhancement and restoration •Re-forestation program Enhancement and Restoration Opportunities Environmental Assessment •Protected Features •Drainage •Risk Management •Enhancement Opportunities •Trail Networks •Natural Heritage Features •Impact Mitigation •ALR Lands •Hillside Management Natural Hazard Abatement Environmental Protection Case Study: Nelson Peaks ID Potential Hazards: A.Slopes B.Floodplains Studies Required & Action Taken: •Geotechnical Studies •Flood mitigation study •Tree hazard mitigation study Partnerships for Protection Watershed Level Planning and Management Watershed Planning Strategy Bio-Regional Conservation Strategy Appropriate Scales Environmental mapping provides multi -level perspectives for different users and issues. Municipal & Watershed Regional Scale Neighbourhood & Site levels Identify Watershed Management Priorities •Conservation areas •Recreation areas •Resource extraction areas •Cultural Education areas •Water & hillside management areas • Atmospheric Carbon (20 yrs) Under 550 ppm = 1% GDP Over 550 ppm (10-20 %GDP) Stern Report – 06 UK • Rise of sea levels worldwide • Species extinction Large Scale Clearing Impacts Planning for Change Population Growth •Erosion control •Drainage and Groundwater •Slope stability •Visual Impacts •Wind Fall Hazard •Intend to absorb 50% of new dwelling units in town centre in response to public support for infill strategy •Habitat Fragmentation •Deforestation •Contamination •Difficult to predict impacts in advance Ecosystem Impacts Key Challenges Climate Change / Air Quality Fossil Fuel & Energy Supply Waste / Resource Scarcity Water Quantity/Quality Supply Ecosystem Damage Food Supply / Quality / Security Economic Prosperity / Viability Challenges & Goals of Sustainability Sustainability Goals Reduce Emissions Renewable Energy / Efficiency Reducing Waste / Recycling Better Water Management Ecological Design / Protection Organic / Local Supply Diverse / Local Systems Climate Change •Population around 70,000 for Maple Ridge in 2006 reaching 118,000 by 2040 •The District of Maple Ridge has a goal to reduce community greenhouse gas emissions by 33% below 2007 levels by 2020 and 80% by 2050 • Negative impacts on communities and ecosystems: Flooding Forest fires Droughts • Significant economic impacts: Unpredictable and extreme weather