Saanich recognized with multiple provincial climate action awards

The District of Saanich received two awards at the Climate & Energy Action Awards at the annual Union of BC Municipalities convention in Vancouver last week.

The District was given an Action Award from the Community Energy Association for its work on the Tillicum Green Infrastructure Project.

According to a media release, the District collaborated with the Greater Victoria School District on the project, improving the neighbourhood’s resiliency to flooding and extreme heat while also providing social and environmental benefits.

“These award-winning projects and community champions prove that climate action truly exists at an intersection with economic development, jobs, affordability, energy security and resilience,” said Megan Lohmann, CEO of the Community Energy Association.

“Actions at the community level have the greatest impact and deliver so many tangible benefits.”

The Tillicum Green Infrastructure Project replaced hard surfaces in the area with more than a dozen rain gardens, facilitated the planting of more than 100 trees and 1,200 shrubs and created opportunities for staff and students to take part in the planting of native and culturally significant species.

According to the District, these improvements were a part of a larger road safety improvement project.

The second award went to Rebecca Newlove, Saanich’s manager of sustainability. She received a Champion Award for her dedication and commitment to climate action over her ten years of service, according to the District.

“The community benefits these types of climate projects generate—improved health and safety, cost savings, better affordability, biodiversity and ecosystem health, economic development—would not be possible without the generous support of our partners,” said Newlove.

“The consistent Provincial funding provided through the Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP), has created a stable foundation that allows local governments to leverage considerable additional external funding to deliver healthier, more resilient communities.”

The Tillicum Green Infrastructure Project is supported by a $396,865 grant from the Provincial Community Emergency Preparedness Fund’s Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Adaptation funding stream, administered by the Union of BC Municipalities.