Participatory Planning and Assessments
We work alongside communities to help you better understand, prioritize and plan for the impacts of climate change and other complex challenges. Our processes are designed to produce clear, actionable deliverables while simultaneously enhancing the capacity and knowledge of all participants involved.
Scroll down to learn more about some of our recent projects...
K'omoks Estuary North Area Flood Resilience Strategy
Timeline: January 2024 – March 2026
Client: Comox Valley Regional District
Partnering With: Ebbwater Consulting Inc.
The Comox Valley, located in the unceded territories of the K’ómoks First Nation, is a confluence of rivers and ocean and home to beautiful agricultural lands, rolling hills, picturesque mountains and the majestic Queneesh glacier. As sea level rises, development and activity concentrated along the estuary and shoreline faces changing risks due to erosion and flood. Responding to impacts and adapting to changes will necessarily require joint decisions and action across the multiple local governments and K’ómoks First Nation, in collaboration with others.
Two previous phases of work made available updated flood mapping along with a high-level adaptation strategy for the region as a whole. In this phase of work, completed in 2026, HeronBridge led the design and facilitation of a participatory process with governments, K’ómoks First Nation and local environmental and agricultural groups to develop a collaborative framework and roadmap for improving flood resilience over the short, medium and long term. This was enhanced through a "witnessing" process held by Sanala Planning, to bring accountability and practice to the process. The work blossomed into a beautiful demonstration of the power of relationships, courageous leadership, connection to place and what's made possible when we come together with a willingness to learn from each other.
We are grateful to have been part of this project with such a great team. It exemplifies the value and impact of the type of collaborative approach HeronBridge is known for -- click on the YouTube video to see and hear all about it from project partners and participants themselves. And click below to take a closer look at the resulting Overview report and find out more about the great work being done in the region.
Fraser Canyon Regional Geohazard Risk Assessment
Timeline: April 2024 – June 2025
Client: Lytton First Nation
Partnering With: BGC Engineering, Ebbwater Consulting and Core GeoScience
Communities within the Nlaka’pamux territory have been affected by floods and landslides for millennia. As these events become more frequent and intense and combine with wildfires and other drivers of change, there is a need to better understand the hazard processes in order to support decision-making in the best interests of local communities. HeronBridge has joined with the consulting team as the Engagement Lead, to guide and facilitate a series of workshops focused on weaving together Nlaka’pamux knowledge and western science to support local communities in planning for future geohazard events.
After Action Review
Timeline: January 2024 – April 2024
Client: North Shore Emergency Management
Communities in BC face a rapidly evolving set of challenges relating to a changing climate. One season it’s wildfire and air quality, another it’s floods.
In January 2024, BC experienced a sudden and severe extreme cold event. North Shore Emergency Management, on behalf of its partner municipalities, led the local response. Following best practice in emergency management, NSEM engaged HeronBridge to work closely with the organization and its partner municipalities to reflect together on this experience and generate insight and learning that can be applied moving forward.
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