Green Infrastructure Initiatives in Thunder Bay

Transcription

1 Green Infrastructure Initiatives in Thunder Bay 2016 AMO Conference Windsor Ontario August

2 Presentation Overview Objectives of the Presentation Introduction Two Thunder Bay Examples: Urban Forest Management Low Impact Development (LID) Re-Cap Questions

3 Presentation Objective Show how a medium-sized community in Northern Ontario is recognizing the importance of and using green infrastructure to mitigate climate change threats and increase benefits to the community and the City of Thunder Bay.

4 Introduction Where we are Population: 108,359 I Land Area: sq. Km I Budget: $235.1M

5 Introduction Perception vs. Reality Pre-developed Watershed and the perception of N. Ontario Typical Thunder Bay Arterial and the reality of N. Ontario Cities

6 Introduction Green Infrastructure in Strategic Plans

7 Introduction Benefits of Green Infrastructure Reduce peak flow Increase Stormwater Quality Adapt Climate Change Increase the Urban forest canopy Improve Aesthetics along our image routes Provide Educational opportunities

8 Introduction Climate Change Threats

9 Green Infrastructure in Thunder Bay - Two Examples Urban Forest Low Impact Development (LID)

10 Urban Forest Cost-Benefit $1.6M benefits from street trees/ year For every $1 spent= $2 in benefits $85/ tree per year

11 Urban Forest Bigger is Better

12 Urban Forest: Initiatives Citizen Pruner Program & Young Tree Pruning

13 Urban Forest: Initiatives Tree Watering Bags

14 Urban Forest: Initiatives Tree Planting Partnerships

15 Urban Forest: Initiatives NWO EAB Task Force EarthCare Confederation College and Lakehead University Community Groups EDRR, MNRF EcoSuperior Working with Partners

16 Urban Forest what kind of City would you rather live in?

17 LID The beginning - Creation of a City Team Ad-Hoc Team members EarthCare Thunder Bay - research, education & advocacy Engineering Division surveying, engineering design, drawing production & site supervision Environment Division grant writing, construction Parks & Open Spaces Section landscape architectural design, construction review

18 LID - Two Sites so close, so different We are here Project Location Beverly LID Memorial LID City of Thunder Bay Project Locations

19 LID - Two Sites So close, so different B e v e r l y S t M e m o r i a l A v e

20 LID Site Variables Ground Water Table Soil Type Topography Utilities Circulation Visibility Drainage Area

21 LID Site Strategies Beverley Bioretention LID Memorial Biofiltration LID Biofiltration areas Rock Weir Bioretention area Sand filter Pre-Treatment Pre-Treatment Runnels

22 LID The Finished Project Beverly Biorentenion LID 3 years after construction

23 LID The Finished Project Memorial Biofiltration LID 1 year after construction

24 LID Lessons Learned - Cost Beverly LID Memorial LID Estimated cost $102,200 $130,100 Actual cost $56,655 $98,500 Funding amounts CN EcoConnexions $25,000 CAN RBC Blue Water $36,000 CAN

25 LID Lessons Learned - Design Every site is different Can not use cookie cutter design Must choose design from suite of solutions involving a multidisciplinary team Development of in-house expertise is required Site analysis prior to design is critical - Physical, social and usage

26 LID Lessons Learned - Construction Education of staff and operators Traditional Engineering vs. Green Infrastructure practices Locally sourced materials may be only option Post construction maintenance

27 LID Lessons Learned - Education Education and awareness Sell the benefits of LID infrastructure Business promotional opportunities Volunteer opportunities Educational signage Media events

28 Re-Cap Add Green Infrastructure to your Grey: To help address & reduce threats To increase & maximize the service benefits To provide added streetscaping & aesthetics

29 Thank you! Questions? Contact information Werner Schwar (OALA), Supervisor Parks & Open Space Planning, City of Thunder Bay (807)