Online Webinar
Canada
Partnerships for Wetlands: A Case Study from Lac La Biche County
Julia Shapka
Lac La Biche County
Wetlands play a critical role in Alberta’s landscapes, yet many have been lost in settled areas. Alberta’s Wetland Replacement Program (WRP) offers an important opportunity for municipalities to restore and construct wetlands while enhancing local ecosystems and communities.
This presentation will showcase Lac La Biche County’s Bold Centre WRP Project — a unique initiative funded by three different sources and located at the heart of the community, adjacent to a multiplex, high school, and library. The project brought together diverse partners in a collaborative effort to create a new wetland that serves both ecological and educational purposes.
The presentation will highlight the requirements of each funding source, construction activities, and the progression of the wetland since construction, illustrated with photos and project milestones. It will also cover workshops hosted on-site, challenges encountered, and solutions developed, and key recommendations for other municipalities interested in pursuing similar projects.