Natural assets and municipal management: a strategic opportunity for RCMs and cities
Rethinking municipal planning by incorporating natural assets
In a context of ecological transition and growing pressure on natural environments, municipalities and RCMs are being called upon to rethink their municipal planning tools. The mandate entrusted to Habitat the municipality of Inverness illustrates how science and collaboration can provide concrete support for sustainable municipal management that benefits nature and communities.
Habitat Inverness in developing a strategy to integrate Lake Joseph as a natural asset into the MRC de l'Érable's asset management plan. This mandate was based on an in-depth literature review identifying the best methods for the economic valuation of ecosystem services. TheHabitat team thenHabitat recommendations tailored to the local context, taking into account specific issues identified by local organizations.
A collaborative approach tailored to the region
Several meetings were held with key organizations—the municipality, the regional county municipality (RCM), residents' associations, and watershed organizations—to identify the issues affecting Lake Joseph: sedimentation, eutrophication, conflicts of use, and invasive species. These discussions made it possible to propose methodologies consistent with local realities and to design monitoring indicators based on data already collected in the area.
Including a natural asset in a management plan not only allows for monitoring, but also reduces threats, increases the ecosystem benefits it provides to the population, and strengthens the resilience of local biodiversity. This helps justify investments, plan necessary budgets, and strengthen community resilience. In the case of Lake Joseph, this translates into better water quality for recreational and tourism activities, increased value for waterfront properties, and greater protection for wildlife habitats.
Analytical tools to support municipal decisions
Some of the proposed methods allow the population to be surveyed on their preferences and willingness to pay for protective measures. These approaches are not only used to quantify benefits: they help to empower users, strengthen their sense of belonging, and promote shared management of natural environments.
Habitat regularly Habitat analytical tools that can inform natural asset management plans, whether for wetlands or riparian areas, woodlands, brownfields, or urban forests.
Some concrete results that support sustainable municipal planning:
Modeling sediment and nutrient flow
Carbon stock assessment
Improving air quality through trees
Calculating biodiversity indicators
Concrete solutions for more resilient territories
The project carried out with Inverness demonstrates that it is possible to combine scientific rigor with innovative municipal management to better enhance natural environments. At a time when ecosystems are under severe pressure, recognizing their value and integrating them into planning tools is no longer just desirable: it is essential to ensure the sustainability of our territories.
With its expertise in biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, and forest management, Habitat already Habitat several municipalities and RCMs in integrating natural assets into their management plans.
Do you want to strengthen the resilience of your region and enhance your natural environments?
Contact theHabitat teamHabitat find out how our solutions can support your municipal initiatives.
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Contact theHabitat teamHabitat find out how our solutions can support your municipal initiatives.