Climate resilience training from GMF Partners

Understand how your organization can better incorporate natural assets in the planning and delivering of priority services, such as stormwater and flood management, water quality, biodiversity, and recreation. Complete a high-level roadmap outlining short-to-medium term actions your organization can take to progress. Learn from peers and join the network of natural asset management leaders helping to advance climate-resilient, cost-effective service delivery through nature.

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Ongoing

Virtual

Nature is Infrastructure

4-Part Workshop Series

These workshops will provide practical guidance to local governments to help them advance their natural asset management in ways appropriate for their local context. They are intended for local governments who have some experience in asset management and are looking to expand their efforts to include natural assets / natural infrastructure.

Each workshop is based on the leading research and best practices from the Nature is Infrastructure guide and their delivery will be tailored to the needs of the participating local government.

Participant fees will apply

This 1.5hr eLearning course for Northern Communities shares basic level knowledge for staff, leaders and elected officials on infrastructure planning and climate adaptation in a northern context. It explains the "why" and the "what" of infrastructure asset management, providing participants with the knowledge to begin their asset management journeys.

The training contains several case studies of communities who explain the progress they've made and how they're approaching current challenges. Additionally, the training points to several existing resources developed to support communities in Canada's North with their infrastructure planning efforts. 

Municipalities across Canada are facing the combined pressures of climate change, rising energy costs, and the need to deliver services fairly for all residents. This course helps Ontario municipal leaders and staff explore practical ways to respond to these challenges by increasing their knowledge in terms of energy strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, build resilience, and take into account the needs of all members within their communities. 

Participant fees will apply  

An overview of the core concepts, drivers, and strategies in climate adaptation—designed to build foundational understanding. This session is for elected officials.

A practical introduction to climate adaptation for senior staff and elected officials who are newer to this work. This interactive session builds a shared foundation: what adaptation is, why it matters now, the region’s climate risks, and the costs of inaction. Participants will leave with a clearer sense of roles and responsibilities across jurisdictions, and how adaptation connects to their own decisions and plans. 

Road rehabilitation represents an important lever for achieving municipal objectives in terms of sustainability and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. This training aims to provide participants with the tools to design rehabilitation projects that are lower in carbon emissions, without compromising technical performance.  

Participant fees will apply  

The training is offered exclusively in French.

Professional Certificate in Asset Management Planning, expanded to include considering climate change, natural assets and equity in the asset management plan.  Presented by 7 online modules. 

Participant fees will apply  

Before beginning a reflection on adaptation to climate change, it is essential to understand the upcoming climate risks and the impact they will have on assets that provide services to citizens.  

During three workshops, municipalities will assess the likelihood of unavoidable climate hazards and their consequences.

Following these three workshops, municipalities will have identified the high and very high risks for which they will begin considering response planning, particularly through adaptation and mitigation. Emphasis will be placed on equity by implementing fair and just adaptation.

Participant fees will apply. 

The training is offered exclusively in French.

The Municipal Climate Adaptation Certificate, offered by the University of Waterloo’s Climate Institute, is a forward-thinking initiative tailored for municipal staff and elected officials across Canada. Developed in collaboration with leading experts in climate adaptation, this new certificate is designed for municipal staff across a range of roles—from accounting and planning to governance, engineering, and community development. 

Through practical, expert-led courses, participants will gain essential skills and knowledge to strengthen climate resilience in their communities. Upon completion of each course, participants will be empowered to lead locally tailored and equity-informed solutions that address today’s climate challenges. 

Participant fees will apply