City of Courtenay Annual Report 2021

INVEST IN OUR NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Glen Urquhart Creek Restoration

Airpark tree planting Members of Comox Valley Nature joined City parks staff in October 2021 for a tree planting event, funded by a BC Hydro ReGreening Grant in partnership with Tree Canada. Around 65 new trees were planted in the area around the Airpark lagoon, contributing to Courtenay’s urban forest canopy and wildlife habitat. The trees will also provide screening to help prevent disturbance of migrating birds, and contribute to the health of a Garry oak ecosystem that has been developed in the park over time through efforts by Comox Valley Nature. New playgrounds at Maple, Hobson parks Bright, colourful new playgrounds were installed in two Courtenay parks last year. The upgraded equipment at Maple Park and Hobson Park is best suited to children 2 to 5 years old, providing our community's younger kids with more options for active play.

Glen Urquhart Creek restoration Glen Urquhart Creek is an approximately 6-kilometre long stream with tributaries flowing through and around the Valley View neighbourhood, draining from this urban environment into agricultural lands before reaching the K’ómoks Estuary. Rehabilitation work in fall 2021 in one section of the riparian area off Thorpe Avenue and behind Finch Place stabilized the creek channel, streamside banks and pedestrian footpath. Channel conditions for both fish and aquatic insects were improved by installing “riffles” – shallow areas where water can cascade over rocks, improving aeration. On land, work included tree maintenance, planting new trees, and controlling invasive species, creating healthier habitat for wildlife.

Hobson Park Playground

ANNUAL EMISSIONS BY SECTOR Baseline year 2016*

Courtenay achieves national climate milestone through Official Community Plan (OCP) update In late 2019, the City of Courtenay was selected to join the first Showcase Cities cohort led by the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) Canada. The project included technical support, training, exclusive networking opportunities and access to tools and resources to advance ambitious climate action objectives. Based on a badge system of increasing action, in 2021 Courtenay achieved the GHG inventory and target setting badges and expects to achieve the plan badge upon the adoption of the OCP anticipated in the summer of 2022, demonstrating commitment and strategy to lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Courtenay's baseline emissions by sector are shown in the chart at right. Source: Sustainability Solutions Group, 2020.

* Total annual emissions 93,200 tCO2e | Emissions per capita: 2.94 tCO2e (tCO2e=tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)

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City of Courtenay | 2021 Annual Report