Research undertaken by Dr. Blair Feltmate validates and encourages the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) and conservation authorities across Ontario to continue focusing efforts on adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change.
Dr. Feltmate, an associate professor and head of the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo, recently spoke at the LSRCA’s Annual General Meeting about the increasing burden on homeowners and municipalities as a result of climate change impacts.
“The Authority has been studying the impacts of climate change for years,” said Mike Walters, LSRCA’s CAO. “We already play a pivotal role in preventing catastrophic damage and loss from flooding by controlling development in floodplains, but that’s only a part of what we do.”
“We’re also building resilience through the protection of natural heritage features, restoration projects, and promoting low impact development, so that when floods and other extreme weather strikes, our communities are better able to cope,” said Walters. “Dr. Feltmate’s emphasis on maintaining green infrastructure to support resilience aligns perfectly with the work we’ve been doing and supports the need for us to continue in that direction.”
The remainder of the meeting featured achievements outlined in the Authority’s 2018 annual report and video presentation. New board members were also welcomed and elections for a new chair and vice chair took place. York Region Chair, Wayne Emmerson, was elected to the position of LSRCA Board chair, and Oro-Medonte Councillor, Scott Macpherson, was elected to the role of vice-chair.
Chair Emmerson thanked the other board members for their confidence in him, adding that he is very excited about making things happen at the Authority. Councillor Macpherson expressed his enthusiasm with supporting the building of the Scanlon Creek Education and Training Facility.
