The District of Saanich (population  ~117,700) is the largest member municipality of the Capital Regional District (CRD) and is located on southern Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The District of Saanich’s interest in natural asset management stems from its efforts to recognize the importance of ecosystem services to the district, and in support of its strategic vision of maintaining a sustainable community where a healthy environment is central to social and economic wellbeing. 

The Project goal was to develop an enhanced natural assets inventory which focused on understanding the natural assets that the district relies on, the extent of that reliance, and provides a foundation for the development of a natural asset management plan. 

The Project marks the completion of one of Saanich’s objectives as defined in its Asset Management Strategy to develop a natural asset inventory, and documents steps it can take to continue making progress with its NAM efforts. 

Funding support for this project was provided by the Government of Canada through the Union of BC Municipalities from the Strategic Priorities Fund program under the Canada Community-Building Fund.