2023 Courtenay Annual Report

BC Hydro Funding Supports Habitat Restoration

one-gallon pot size, were planted in the spring and fall of 2023 in designated areas. Plants were selected based on current local conditions and the impacts of our changing climate. The City's commitment extends beyond planting. The Parks Division has designed an ongoing maintenance plan to nurture the newly-established trees and shrubs, including monitoring, targeted irrigation, replenishing mulch, ongoing invasive plant removal, and selective pruning. Local Government Climate Action Program The City successfully met the requirements of the Local Government Climate Action program and received funding of $173,082 from the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy in 2023. This funding will support the development of programs to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.

Natural Environment

The City of Courtenay completed a substantial restoration planting project in 2023 thanks to $7,500 in grant funding from BC Hydro's Community ReGreening Program. The project revitalized habitat areas and tree canopy cover in several Courtenay areas where nature had been impacted over time by our built environment. This effort marks a significant step towards addressing the impacts of disturbance on local natural areas, reinforcing the City's dedication to environmental sustainability. The main planting areas included Northridge Trail, Riverway Trail, and Piercy Greenspace. By incorporating native and adaptable non-native species, the City aims to develop a resilient urban forest capable of withstanding the challenges posed by longer and drier warm seasons. Invasive and non-native vegetation was removed, and mulch and compost were added. Over 1,000 indigenous shrubs and trees, mostly in the

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City of Courtenay | 2023 Annual Report