British Columbia — The T’Sou-ke First Nation is developing a new hybrid stormwater management system and naturalized green space, after a joint investment of more than $1.3 million from the federal government and the community.
As the climate changes, the province is seeing an increase in rainfall. Funding will construct a rainwater retention system that will flow into a bioswale, a vegetated channel designed to capture and filter the collected water. This interconnected system will help T’Sou-ke Nation naturally manage rain and stormwater, as well as increase their resilience to floods and droughts .
This funding will also create a greenspace with a healing garden and courtyard that will offer the community with a space for planting.
The T’Sou-ke Nation has long championed using and honoring the land around them to protect its community. This project will allow the Nation to use natural infrastructure to increase its resilience against the impacts of climate change, improve environmental quality, harvest traditional crops, and give the community more greenspace.
“Today’s investment emphasizes the importance of natural infrastructure in building resilient, sustainable, and vibrant communities. The project in T’Sou-ke Nation will not only help naturally mitigate the impacts of climate change and provide a new greenspace, but will help the community continue their legacy of honouring the land.” – Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources on behalf of Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities