Day: September 29, 2021

By Craig Holland, Senior Director of Investment for Healthy Cities
and Jessie Israel, Puget Sound Conservation Director

Stormwater is a leading source of water pollution globally and is the only type of water pollution in the U.S. that is increasing. Much of this stormwater—or “runoff, ”often from parking lots, roads, roofs or other “impervious” surfaces—makes its way into stormwater retention ponds (ponds constructed to treat and store stormwater runoff), which number in the millions across the nation, before eventually flowing into our streams, reservoirs or bays.

To address this challenge—and this incredible opportunity—TNC and Opti, a technology company, began thinking of ways to use new, low-cost “smart” technologies to improve water quality by focusing on stormwater infrastructure. This thinking led to the creation of joint venture between TNC and Opti in 2018.

The joint venture, named Brightstorm, uses sensors and smart technology that analyzes weather forecasts and then proactively, remotely and autonomously controls water levels in stormwater retention ponds and other stormwater infrastructure. This approach, which allows stormwater to be held in the ponds for longer periods of time, has shown to produce significant and measurable improvements for water quality for two primary reasons:

• First, the plants and soil in these ponds filter excess nutrients that degrade water quality and can be toxic to people and animals.

• Second, more time in the ponds allows other pollutants—like heavy metals from cars, sediment, pesticides, herbicides or cleaning chemicals—to settle to the bottom of the ponds, which are periodically dredged and then the polluted dredge materials are safely disposed of.

On the flip side, this technology can help reduce flood risk for communities because the ponds can be emptied before big storms to create more flood storage. Additionally, flows from this smart infrastructure are managed in ways that more closely mimic natural conditions, which improves habitat for plants and animals and can reduce downstream erosion, often by 50 percent or more.

A Brighter Future for Stormwater in Washington

In 2021, Opti piloted several projects at stormwater retention ponds in Redmond. Monitoring and modeling at these sites show these “smart” ponds are performing twice as well as the existing ponds when it comes to the State of Washington’s flow-duration requirements—that is, it would take a pond twice the size of an Opti smart pond to meet these flow guidelines. Essentially, these requirements call for flows that are comparable to pre-development conditions, and they’re often aimed at reducing big pulses of water during storm events. Given this performance, Washington’s Technology Assessment Protocol-Ecology program recently approved Opti’s smart pond approach, prompting the City of Redmond to implement Opti’s software to improve flow duration at several of its stormwater retention ponds.

Brightstorm’s Win-Win-Win Appeal

TNC started this joint venture because Brightstorm’s mission to improve water quality and wildlife habitat and reduce flood risk matches TNC’s. We partnered with Opti because they’re a leader in this technology space, and we both recognize that the millions of stormwater retention ponds in the U.S.—combined with other stormwater infrastructure—gives us the opportunity to work at scale across the nation.

Most of our efforts to date and the prospects we’re exploring are on private land. That’s important because about 95 percent of urban and suburban land is privately owned. For instance, we installed this technology at three pilot project stormwater ponds owned by Walmart in Maryland. The appeal to Walmart was simple. They were able to make significant environmental improvements at and downstream of these sites, and they did so at no cost. That’s right, $0. Instead, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) funded the upgrades to Walmart’s ponds.  

MDOT did so because state agencies—and companies—are required when they develop land or build roads or parking lots to meet local, state and federal water-quality standards outlined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water Act. When they can’t do so on-site alone, they purchase credits to mitigate the effects of their development. MDOT purchased from Brightstorm credits that were created by the improvements in water quality at Walmart’s ponds.

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“These smart ponds are another innovative way we’re working to improve the communities we serve. We’re being responsible stewards of the environment while at the same time helping protect the infrastructure that supports our hard-working residents and businesses.”

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“Brightstorm allows us to deal with an acre of stormwater runoff for less than $40,000. The traditional approach cost us $150,000 an acre. So, this is going to save taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.”

Every party involved—including the environment itself—benefitted. This was truly a win-win-win proposition and project, and the excitement at Brightstorm is that this is an approach that can be replicated thousands, if not tens or hundreds of thousands, times over across the U.S. as we work to address the only growing source of water pollution here and around the world. 

Beyond our vast experience tied to water quality projects, a tremendous value TNC brings to the table is financing for the work. Essentially, we shift the risk to us and provide public agencies with a fully packaged credit that is based on performance in terms of price, pollution, flows, etc. Clients like MDOT only pay if we deliver what we outlined at the onset. But because of our firm, scientific-backed belief in this work and the results it produces, it’s a risk we’re willing to take, especially when we’re able to accelerate meaningful projects that might otherwise take years to get off the ground.

How does retention time help water quality? 

A typical city block generates more than five times the stormwater runoff of a forested area of the same size. Just 10 percent of impervious cover (e.g. paved parking lots or roads) in a watershed negatively affects a stream’s natural flow and functions. And when a stream is surrounded by 25 percent of impervious cover, it loses its ability to meet habitat, water quality and biological diversity standards. The main culprits behind this degradation are pollution in the runoff and the speed at which the stormwater enters streams, as nature itself doesn’t have time to filter out the excess nutrient pollutants and most other pollutants can’t settle out due to the speed of the flow. 

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Within our cities and towns, the trees that line our streets, fill our parks and shade our streams provide people and nature with a multitude of benefits—seen and unseen.  These trees help clean the water flowing into streams, rivers and Puget Sound, help purify the air we breathe, beautify our neighborhoods—and so much more.

As the Central Puget Sound Region’s cities and towns continue to grow, identifying opportunities to invest in high-impact tree planting and preservation will be important to ensure that people continue to receive these benefits.  The Central Puget Sound Tree Canopy Assessment project is aimed at providing the data and tools for municipalities, organizations and tree advocates to be able to prioritize tree planting and preservation to support the health of humans and nature. 

Funding by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources supported The Nature Conservancy, Davey Resource Group, American Forests and City Forest Credits to collaborate in developing a suite of resources—including a high-resolution urban canopy assessment for the Central Puget Sound Region. 

Now, anyone can access and explore these resources—as well as engage with the partners behind the effort to learn more. Here is a quick look at the tools and opportunities for engagement:

iTree Landscape: iTree Landscape is host to the high-resolution urban tree canopy data within the urban growth areas of Pierce, King and Snohomish counties.  Within the tool, you can explore tree canopy, land cover and information about the ecosystem benefits provided by the tree canopy.  The tool helps you compare different areas as well as highlight specific ecosystem values to help prioritize urban tree canopy efforts. Davey Resource Group led a webinar focused on the function and uses of these data rich tool.  View the recording.

Tree Equity Score: Though trees in our cities and towns produce multiple benefits for people and nature, these benefits are not equitably distributed and accessible. The Tree Equity Score, developed by American Forests, explores the alignment between tree canopy, surface temperature, income, employment, race, age and health. The tool has incorporated the high-resolution tree canopy data produced by Davey Resource Group for the Central Puget Sound Region’s urban areas. American Forests provided an interactive demonstration of the tool for to support prioritization and planning through a social equity lens.  View the recording.  

Climate Tree Species Guide: Our region will continue to experience increased impacts from climate change, and it’s important that we are planting with these impacts in mind.  The Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science developed a tree species selection guide based on anticipated climate change impacts in the Puget Sound Region. NIACS shared more about the development of this guide through a webinar (View the recording). The final guide will be available Fall 2022.

City Forest Credits: As urban areas seek to plant and preserve trees, a consistent barrier is supporting the long-term maintenance of these trees. City Forest Credits is a national non-profit that is providing new tools for private-sector dollars to support planting and protecting trees in urban areas. During the webinar, City Forest Credits explored how urban tree planting and preservation efforts can generate carbon credits. View the recording.

If you have questions or would like to more directly engage with this project, please reach out to Hannah Kett, Cities Program Manager at The Nature Conservancy: hannah.kett@tnc.org

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A myriad of issues, so many questions, and so little time for reflection and answers. And as the circus went on, my wish was for every single leader to go take a hike, quite literally—alone and then with each other. Because they were missing nature in the discussion, and we need nature now more than ever.

Climate change, reconciliation, the mental health crisis, COVID-19, and equitable access to services—key issues shaping my future, and my kids’ future—were raised. Leaders of all parties attempted rapid-fire answers, trying to showcase solutions from their platforms, shouting over each other at times.

But they forgot, systematically, to highlight how restoring and protecting Nature is a central solution to all of these challenges.

Nature conservation and protection is actually present in all the parties’ platforms–with important new commitments from some parties to reverse the crises of species loss, to invest in Indigenous-led solutions, to protect between 25-50% of our land and ocean, and support nature-based solutions to climate change. But you’d never have known it from the Leaders’ debates.

The platforms also differ of course in important ways, and none of them offer a complete package, as we have called for in our Nature Platform—but Canadians need to look through the options on offer carefully. On Election Day it will be key for voters to decide who best reflects their own values and concerns to protect the ground beneath our feet, the air we breathe, the water we drink, the wildlife we love and the green spaces that have sustained us through the pandemic. 

Who has a credible plan to take care of nature as the foundation for a healthy future for us all?

Parties need to answer this question because Canadians care about nature. 97% of Canadians have either maintained (80%) or increased (17%) their support for nature conservation since COVID-19. And, 84% of Canadians say fulfilling the commitment to protecting 30 percent of lands, rivers and lakes by 2030 is important  

And we know ensuring nature’s health and abundance is key for a prosperous economy. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2021 report, biodiversity loss ranks among the top 5 risks to the world economy in both likelihood and in severity of impact.  

But with unprecedented global warming and close to a million species hurtling towards extinction around the world–and over 600 wildlife species alone in Canada at risk–the leader’s debates were like arguments over carry-on luggage, seating allocations and food service as the bolts are coming off the plane in mid-air.  

As Canadians raised concerns about healing the relationship with Indigenous peoples, economic opportunity, support for mental health and the crisis of climate change, I wanted to yell “NATURE IS THE ANSWER”! 

I know yelling doesn’t help. And nature is not the only answer—we need urgent action to reduce fossil fuel emissions, build employment in sustainable energy, improve and expand key public services, and more.  But ensuring nature’s health and full recovery is an essential part of addressing most of the issues raised for debate. And nature unites us; teaching us how we are all connected both to each other and the Earth. Yet the leaders seriously missed the elephants (orcas, caribou and honey bees) in the room.

So what do we do? We need to stand up for nature.

At the end of the day, it won’t be leaders’ that chart our course to safety and security. It will be where citizens and local communities direct leaders’ attention. In the final days of this election campaign, let’s all do our part to engage with candidates, tell them our priorities for nature and beyond, assess their commitment and let this guide our critical choice on Sept 20^th.  

There are lots of tools and resources to help you do that. Read up on how parties answered questions from leading environmental groups. And don’t forget to check out Nature Canada’s nature platform, ask your candidates questions, and urge them to take the nature pledge. 

We have to stop yelling at our screens, get outside, and speak up for what matters to secure a brighter future for all of us on this tiny planet.

 Nature needs our vote.

The post Leaders forgot about nature in the Election debates—don’t let them. appeared first on Nature Canada.

This year’s recipient is master’s student, Amanda Dickson! Amanda has a BSc in Anthropology from the University of Calgary and is currently working towards completing her Master’s Degree in Geography. She is passionate about the study and promotion of the peaceful coexistence between humans and coyotes. 

Conservation Experience

Amanda has had many meaningful experiences working with nature. She has spent over six years volunteering at the Calgary Zoo where she had the opportunity to work to improve current data collection methods to study and save the endangered Whooping Crane in Canada. 

During her time at the zoo, Amanda also worked towards improving the quality of life for animals in captivity. This included monitoring the pregnancy and nursing behaviour of western lowland gorillas, observing black bears and hippopotamuses for signs of stress, and designing a research method for volunteers to monitor the responses of Japanese macaques towards enrichment programs.

In 2019, Amanda was involved in the Prairie Dog Project which worked to reintroduce the black-footed ferret into Saskatchewan grasslands through the study of its primary prey: the black-tailed prairie dog.   

Passion for Nature and the Environment

Amanda’s passion for nature and the environment has also led her to participate in global research opportunities. 

Through the University of Calgary, she was able to research the diet, behaviour, movement patterns and rainforest ecosystems of howler monkeys in Belize. She later continued her passion by pursuing primatology research with the university in Ghana. 

In Ghana, Amanda studied the unique check-pouching behaviour present in Mona monkeys. This project required her to work alongside the local community where Amanda witnessed the importance of understanding and valuing human impacts on conservation. She was inspired to generate research to promote sustainable ecosystems through conducting interviews with the locals and traditional ecological knowledge. 

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A Strong Connection to Nature and Conservation

With the fast-paced way of life we all live today, it’s so easy to feel like we’re alone. “We’re a species separated from each other by many arbitrary divisions. But this isn’t how nature works”, says Amanda. “Nature takes these differences and makes them beautiful”. 

Amanda finds nature to be a solid source of connection. She believes that nature takes chaos and lets everything fall into its perfect niche. “It works so well that everything in nature is interconnected, and this interconnectedness is why we thrive”. 

Nature conservation is of high importance to Amanda. Her reasoning? Simply put, we cannot survive without nature and its importance cannot be measured simply by the value it provides to people. 

“I was lucky enough to grow up surrounded by nature, and between befriending bugs and watching birds in my backyard and spending weeks discovering Canada’s diverse habitats – the fierce and ancient Rocky Mountains, the echoing call of a loon across a densely wooded lake at sunset, a bright red crab holding its own against the wind in a salt-encrusted tidepool on the West Coast and the gentle expanse of pure gold extending forever towards the prairie horizon – I was enamoured.”

Amanda hopes to pursue her PhD and continue her research and educate the next generation of environmentalists.  

“I cannot imagine a world without the diverse beauty provided by nature, and I hope that future generations will have the chance to experience these moments of wonder for themselves as well.”

Plans for the Future

Amanda says she grew up with an “unquenchable love of learning and a burning desire to explore everything [she] could about nature”. While she’s definitely open to exploring new research opportunities and conservation experiences as they come along, she feels her contributions lie best in a university environment where she can continue to conduct research, share her passion for nature with students, and develop public education programs that will encourage others to develop a passion for sustainability and life on Earth.

“A large part of me loves being in the field, surrounded by the lush perfume released by tropical flowers during a morning rainstorm or the heady scent of sage on the prairies. [..] And then there’s the other half of me that loves sharing this little bit of wonder I’ve been so immensely lucky to experience with the world.”

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A Thank You and Next Steps 

Amanda would like to extend her gratitude to the Charles Labatiuk family for their generosity and for allowing her to focus on her studies while maintaining her involvement with conservation organizations, like the Calgary Zoo. 

“I feel that this award helps to kindle hope for a better world as it brings students together from diverse backgrounds to build a future where humans, animals and ecosystems can thrive and everyone can experience the beauty and peace of the natural world.” 

We look forward to Amanda’s next steps in the conservation world and value her passion for nature. She’ll be sharing her research experiences and knowledge through a science communication and travel blog: traveloutdoorsy.com. Although her blog is not yet quite ready for launch, she’ll be sharing updates on Instagram. Stay tuned! 

The post Get to Know the 2021 Charles Labatiuk Scholarship Winner: Amanda Dickson! appeared first on Nature Canada.

Unceded Algonquin Territory – Ottawa, ON September 21, 2021 — Nature Canada is optimistic about the opportunity to work with Prime Minister Trudeau’s second minority government.

“An overwhelming majority of Canadians voted for a party that had a plan to protect and restore nature and now they’ll expect to see cooperation on the urgent actions needed to address the crises of nature loss and climate change,” says Gauri Sreenivasan, Director of Campaigns and Policy at Nature Canada. “We look forward to working with the Liberal government and all parliamentarians to get the job done.”

The Liberals election platform included the creation of 10 new national parks, 10 new national marine conservation areas, and 15 new national urban parks. They also promised to work with Indigenous partners to support new Indigenous Guardians programs and establish more Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas. The Liberal government previously committed to planting 2 Billion trees to fight climate change and protect nature and their election platform included additional funding for nature-based climate solutions in communities across Canada.

While nature protection and restoration didn’t grab headlines during the campaign, all the parties raised their level of ambition reflecting the nature community’s calls for a credible plan to halt and reverse nature loss. It’s never been more important for Parliamentarians to work together for land and ocean protection, Indigenous leadership, natural climate solutions and environmental justice. Nature Canada is optimistic that the parties will be able to find common ground and advance an ambitious agenda to address the biodiversity and climate crisis.

“It’s all about accountability now,” says Hannah Dean, Organizing Director at Nature Canada who works with a network of over 1,000 nature advocacy groups in Nature Canada’s Nature Network. “A minority government gives Nature lovers the opportunity to apply real pressure and ensure that this government makes good on it’s campaign promises. Maybe even give them reason to do better!”

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For more information contact: 

Scott Mullenix 
media@naturecanada.ca

The post Nature Canada Sees Renewed Liberal Minority as an Opportunity for Nature appeared first on Nature Canada.