As more research is directed toward the concept of natural infrastructure, it is becoming clear that coastal ecosystems can provide substantial protection from flooding and erosion, often at less cost and with greater long-term resilience compared to traditional grey infrastructure (Arkema et al. 2017).
Coastal ecosystems also provide a number of other services or “co-benefits” such as carbon storage, water quality regulation, nutrient cycling, unique recreation opportunities and habitat. Many of these benefits can complement hard/grey infrastructure investments like seawalls or breakwaters by supplementing the services they provide, protecting them from damage, or replacing them entirely.
2021 Pilot Project: Managing Natural Assets to Increase Coastal Resilience
The objective of the Coastal Resilience Project is to help participating local governments identify, prioritize, value and manage key coastal natural assets as part of core local government asset management systems.
To do this, NAI created a simulation model called the Coastal Toolbox (CT) that, used within our natural asset management methodology, can help municipalities identify their relevant natural assets, understand the value of those natural assets and use that information in municipal planning and management decisions.
The CT was pilot-tested with two coastal communities possessing very different coastlines: the Town of Gibsons on British Columbia’s rugged west coast, and the community of Pointe-du-Chêne in New Brunswick, which is partly protected by the finely sanded Parlee Beach and coastal dunes that slope gently into the Northumberland Strait.
These two pilot studies supplied a “proof-of-concept” of the CT and provided Gibsons and Pointe-du-Chêne with new information that will inform natural asset management decisions. The studies also helped develop a friendly user interface in ArcGIS Pro so that the CT can be easily used by local government staff.
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Document d’orientation à l’intention des municipalités
Le présent document d’orientation vise à fournir aux communautés côtières des conseils sur la manière d’inventorier leurs actifs naturels côtiers, d’élaborer des…
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Guidance Document for Municipalities
As more research is directed toward the concept of natural infrastructure, it is becoming clear that coastal ecosystems can provide substantial protection…
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Managing Natural Assets to Increase Coastal Resilience – Chêne
Pointe-du-Chêne, New Brunswick Communities all along Canada’s coasts are facing infrastructure challenges. The structures that people originally built to protect their settlements from…
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Managing Natural Assets to Increase Coastal Resilience – Gibsons
Town of Gibsons, British Columbia Communities all along Canada’s coasts are facing infrastructure challenges. The structures that people originally built to protect their…
Clean 50 Project Award winner – Leveraging Natural Assets for Coastal Resilience
THE LATEST
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The Coastal Assets pilot project with the Town of Gibsons, B.C., and Pointe-du-Chêne, N.B., is now complete
Coastal Assets in Gibsons and Pointe-du-Chêne Download the final reports and accompanying technical guidance documents here. Climate change is impacting communities all around the world.…
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Studies examine natural assets’ role in coastal risk and resilience
Gibsons, B.C., and Pointe-du-Chêne, New Brunswick, are learning about the value of their coastal natural assets and how they can protect against…
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Coastal municipalities launch project to address rising sea levels
Around the world, more and more people are moving from inland regions to live along a coastline. Many move for the coastal…
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Northwest New Brunswick communities explore natural asset approach to manage flooding
Spring has arrived in Canada, but for many communities that brings both flowers and flooding. The MNAI team has worked with numerous…
