Natural Asset Management
Overview
This course consists of 4 modules and is designed to help government, professionals in multiple disciplines and community organizations understand the fast-emerging field of natural asset management.
Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Course Overview
Course Overview
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Overview" by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 except where indicated. For external links to resources, review the rights and permission details. |
Welcome to this 4-week course: Natural Asset Management Fundamentals. I’m Roy Brooke and I'll be facilitating the course using videos, discussion forums, and other learning activities in each week/module. Throughout the course, you will also be meeting and interacting with many others who are involved in natural asset management.
We’ve designed this course to help local government staff, professionals in multiple disciplines who work with them, and people involved with community organizations, understand the fast-emerging field of natural asset management. The course is in divided into four modules:
- Introduction to the course, natural asset management & each other to help us understand: what natural asset management is, how it came about, and what is starting to happen at a community level.
The ‘enabling environment’ for natural asset management – what some of the provincial, regional and national opportunities and barriers are that can help or hinder local governments.
- A detailed look at the communities that pioneered natural asset management, why and how they’re doing it, and the results so far.
- How to bring natural asset management into your own work.
At the end of the course, participants will understand:
- What natural asset management is, why it matters, and what conditions enable or hinder it
- How natural asset management is relevant in your own disciplines or community contexts
- What you may be able to do differently as a result of knowing more about natural asset management
- Where you can get additional information on natural asset management
Each module includes one or more video-lectures and discussion forums that are designed to inform, prompt reflection, and help participants consider the relevance of the work to their own contexts. In the final module, participants will apply what they’ve learned in real-world, learner-relevant examples. Each module also contains resources (e.g., relevant reports, video links) in the Readings and Resources folder.
You are not required to engage in the learning activities at any specific time. However, we recommend that you complete the activities for each module within the corresponding week. This will help you maximize learning and provide opportunities for meaningful discussion with the instructor and your fellow learners.
Readings & Resources
This page is a compilation of all of the course readings and resources used in all Modules.
Module 1
Required Reading
MNAI Natural Asset Primer copyrighted
What are Municipal Natural Assets: Defining and Scoping Municipal Natural Assets (2019) copyrighted
Asset Management for Sustainable Service Delivery: A BC Framework
Optional Reading
FCM asset management resources
Summary report for the Americas:
Canada Infrastructure Report Card 2019
Integrating Natural Assets Into Asset Management: A Sustainable Service Delivery Primer
Advancing Natural Infrastructure in Canada (IISD)
Module 2
Required Reading
MNAI Cohort 1 Results – Summary copyrighted
MNAI Cohort 2 Results – Summary copyrighted
Module 3
Required
Public Sector Accounting Board Final Input copyrighted
Diagram on Natural Asset Management, Title and Jurisdiction copyrighted
Advancing natural asset management through collaborative strategies for private lands copyrighted
Optional
The Town of Gibsons experience on financial planning and reporting copyrighted
Course Schedule
Module Date Course Activities | ||
Course Introduction and Module 1 - What are natural assets and why do they matter? | Week 1 | Module 1 Activities Join instructor for a synchronous online meeting if you are available. Introduction to Padlet Post a video on Padlet introducing yourself and why you are taking the course Module 1 Course Content Module 1: Drop-in online session |
Module 2 - Who is doing what: Canadian case examples | Week 2 | Module 2 Activities Module 2 Course Content Module 2: Discussion Forum: a professional or community natural asset management issues you would like to address. |
Module 3 - Building a strong enabling environment | Week 3 | Module 3 Activities Module 3 Course Content Module 3: Discussion Forum: normative and/or professional barriers Module 3: Drop-in online session |
Module 4: Getting to scale | Week 4 | Module 4 Activities Module 4 Course Content Final synchronous discussion |
Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 1 - Introduction to the course, municipal natural asset management & each other
Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 1 - Introduction to the course, municipal natural asset management & each other
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 1 - Introduction to the course, municipal natural asset management & each other” by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 except where indicated. For external links to resources, review the rights and permission details. |
Welcome to Module 1. In this Module, we will become familiar with the core concepts of natural asset management - what it is, how it is defined, what it is based on, and how it came to be. We will also take time to understand each others’ interests in natural asset management so that collectively, we can help advance our various journeys in this fast-evolving field.
Module 1 Learning Goals This Module will help you:
- Understand what natural assets are, and why they matter in Canadian communities
- Learn about the 'drivers' for natural asset management
- Learn how natural asset management emerged in Gibsons, BC
- Understand where and how asset management is starting to become an effective tool to help local governments deliver infrastructure services and become more resilient
Readings and Resources
Module 1
Required Reading
MNAI Natural Asset Primer copyrighted
What are Municipal Natural Assets: Defining and Scoping Municipal Natural Assets (2019) copyrighted
Asset Management for Sustainable Service Delivery: A BC Framework
Optional Reading
FCM asset management resources
Summary report for the Americas:
Canada Infrastructure Report Card 2019
Integrating Natural Assets Into Asset Management: A Sustainable Service Delivery Primer
Advancing Natural Infrastructure in Canada (IISD)
Module 1 Course Content
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 1 - Introduction to the course, municipal natural asset management & each other” by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 except where indicated. For external links to resources, review the rights and permission details. |
Module 1 Overview
Module 1 consists of several, shorter sub-modules that cover the following topics:
- A synchronous meeting to launch the course
- Postings on Padlet to meet each other and understand our respective professional/community contexts
- Definitions of natural assets and their relevance to local government
- Where it all started: the Town of Gibsons
- An insurance sector perspective on climate change context as a driver for natural asset management
- First Nations and natural assets management
- Asset management 101
- Discussion forum on readiness for natural asset management.
Introductory story
This short (true) story contains many of the themes that will covered over the next 4 modules.
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 1.1 Video by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 |
Module 1.1: What are natural assets and why do they matter?
Module 1.1 begins with a video lecture that explains what natural assets are; different ways to think about the services they provide; and, why they matter to Canadian communities.
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 1.2 Video by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 |
Module 1.2: Where it all started: the Town of Gibsons
The Town of Gibsons, BC was the first community in Canada - and likely anywhere - to link the practice of modern asset management with the concept of ecosystem services. In this video you will learn more about the Town, what they have done, and why.
Introduction from Emanuel Machado, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Gibsons, and Chair, Municipal Natural Assets Initiative.
Module 1.2 Video
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 1.3 Video by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 |
OPTIONAL:
Module 1.3: An insurance sector perspective on climate change context as a driver for natural asset management
In this video we will learn more about the insurance sector's perspective from Natalia Moudrak, Director of Resilience at the Intact Center on Climate Adaptation.
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 1.3 Video by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 |
Module 1.4: A First Nations perspective on natural assets
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 1.4 Video by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 |
Module 1.5: An introduction to asset management
Asset management is an integrated process to help local governments make informed decisions about their assets and provide sustainable service delivery. In these videos, you will learn more about asset management and how it is helping communities manage natural as well as engineered assets.
Brief introduction. In this video we will discuss the challenge of putting the concept ecosystem services into practice, and how asset management as a modern, structured process is helping to address that challenge.
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 1.5 Intro Video by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 |
Asset management 101: Part 1. What is asset management video
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 1.5 Part 1 What is asset management Video by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 |
Asset management 101: Part 2. Asset management as an ongoing decision-making process Video
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 1.5 Part 2. Asset management as an ongoing decision making process Video by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 |
Module 1 Discussion
Please share your insights on the natural assets that are relevant in your community, and who benefits from them. Please consider, and also review the answers of your fellow learners to help them consider, the following:
Prompts:
What are the natural assets in your community?
What services do they provide? Who benefits from the services? Are they managed for these services?
Post your thoughts to the discussion forum titled "Natural assets in your community".
Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 2 - Natural asset management on the ground
Module 2 - Natural asset management on the ground
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals – Module 2 – Natural asset management on the ground by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 except where indicated. For external links to resources, review the rights and permission details. |
Welcome to Module 2. The focus of this module is on the communities that have been leading the way on natural asset management. We will learn about how the original work in Gibsons, BC has spread to communities in 4 provinces; what the results have been so far, and why.
Module 2 Learning Goals
This Module will help you:
Understand the natural asset management methodology in more detail, including some of the current and upcoming tools that can be applied in communities
Consider the results of projects completed in sone of the main communities to date
Readings and Resources
Module 2
Required Reading
MNAI Cohort 1 Results – Summary
MNAI Cohort 2 Results – Summary
Optional Reading
Check out the blog and report from recent work in Northwest New Brunswick
At this link you can watch a webinar with the Fraser Basin Council on the results to date of the Comox Lake Watershed Project.
Module 2 Overview
Module 2 explores how the original work in Gibsons, BC, is beginning to getting refined, replicated, and scaled-up in communities across Canada. Topics include:
- An introduction video
- A review of MNAI Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 projects
- Two communities in New Brunswick that have completed MNAI projects
- A watershed-level initiative underway on Vancouver Island, BC
- The development and piloting of a tool to integrate First Nations knowledge about natural assets and cultural assets into asset management
- The process for developing natural asset inventories
- Efforts to expand the MNAI asset management method to coastal zone assets
- An approach to help local governments optimize their asset management to also consider species at risk and critical habitat.
Module 2.0 Overview of the stormwater projects and methods
This first video describes early efforts to refine and replicate Gibsons' work.
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 2.0 Video by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 |
Next, we will hear from Michelle Molnar, MNAI's Technical Director, about what happened in the early project cohorts, and what exactly is being measured when we speak of 'nature's value'.
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 2.0a Video by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 |
Your reading resources for the week contain summary documents as well as full technical reports of the 11 of these completed projects.
Module 2.1: connecting with the communities
Now, we will hear directly from some of the local governments who are leading natural asset management projects.
First is James Bornemann from the Southeast Regional Service Commission in New Brunswick who will describe recently completed projects in Riverview and Riverside-Albert, N.B.
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 2.1 Video by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 |
Second is Kris LaRose, from the Cowichan Valley Regional District who will explain efforts to manage natural assets in a multi- use, multi-owner watershed on Vancouver Island.
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 2.1a Video by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 |
Module 2.2: Integrating First Nations knowledge into asset management
We have discussed already the importance of First Nations knowledge to community resilience. In this segment, we will introduce a new effort to develop and pilot a replicable tool integrate First Nations knowledge of natural and cultural assets into natural asset management. The tool is still in development stages but is nevertheless promising and interesting to know about.
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 2.2 Video by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 |
Module 2.3: Taking a plunge with natural asset inventories
Building a natural asset inventory is a first critical step in the assessment phase of natural asset management.
In this module we will discuss different types of inventories, and then "look under the hood" at the asset registry and the dashboard tools that can help make that data insightful and useful as possible for local governments.
Module 2.4: Expanding the methodology
Until recently, MNAI's methodology focussed almost exclusively on stormwater management and surface water quality issues. Now, the methodology is being expanded to include coastal zone issues in two pilot communities. In this segment we will hear from Cedar Morton, Senior Systems Ecologist with ESSA Technologist, who is working with the MNAI technical team on this project.
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 2.4 Video by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 |
Module 2.5: Expanding the toolkit: endangered species
MNAI's methodology contains a range of different tools that can be configured for local community contexts.
In this segment we will hear from Tim Ennis, a conservation biologist who lives in the Comox Valley, BC and is working with MNAI to develop develop and pilot a tool that local governments will be able to use to consider species at risk and their critical habitat when they are undertaking natural asset management.
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 2.5 Video by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 |
Module 2 Discussion
Consider what you have learned about the projects underway now across Canada. Which examples resonate, and why, and which do not?
Prompts:
Do any of the case examples seem relevant in your community/work?
Do any of the case examples have gaps that would reduce their impact?
If you were to refine and and replicate one in your community, which would it be?
Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 3 - The enabling environment for natural asset management
Module 3 - The enabling environment for natural asset management
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals – Module 3 – The enabling environment for natural asset management by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 except where indicated. For external links to resources, review the rights and permission details. |
Local governments do not operate in a vacuum and there are many factors that affect their ability to undertake natural asset management. The regulatory environment, financial frameworks, and multi-jurisdictional nature of land ownership mean that multiple actors will influence local government's ability to manage natural assets for municipal service delivery. This ‘enabling environment’ becomes a critical consideration if the ultimate goal is to have Canada’s nearly 4000 local governments all undertaking natural asset management, not just a handful of leaders. In this module we will discuss this context, with particular focus on opportunities and barriers to accelerating the uptake of natural asset management.
Module 3 Learning Goals
This Module will help you:
Understand the challenges and opportunities related to scaling up natural asset management in Canada Explore activities to create, clarify or strengthen norms and standards for natural asset management.
Readings and Resources
Module 3
Required
Public Sector Accounting Board Final Input
Diagram on Natural Asset Management, Title and Jurisdiction
Advancing natural asset management through collaborative strategies for private lands
Optional
The Town of Gibsons experience on financial planning and reporting
Module 3: The enabling environment
In this module we will discuss the issues, opportunities and barriers to making natural asset management a mainstream practice in Canada. Topics include:
- Ways to think about the challenge of achieving scale
- A new project to create standards for engineers, and other professions A perspective from the insurance sector
- Non-municipal land
- Financial planning and reporting for natural asset management
Module 3.1: The challenge of scale
On the positive side, it is really encouraging that Gibsons example is starting to get refined and replicated now in 5 provinces and over 20 communities. On a more sobering note, there are around 3700 local governments in Canada, so there is a long way to go before natural asset management gets anywhere close to a mainstream practice.
In an overview video presentation we will discuss some of the issues involved in scaling up natural asset management.
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 3.1 Video by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 |
Module 3.2: Towards engineering norms
A strong enabling environment for municipal natural asset management requires, amongst other things, professional norms that encourage and guide the practice.
In this segment we will hear from Stuart Nash of the Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia about a project that will result in the first professional standards anywhere to explicitly recognize and guide natural asset management.
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 3.2 Video by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 |
Module 3.3 Thinking about non-municipal land
A common question is whether natural asset management only concerns municipally owned land. The answer is no - and this video explains why.
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 3.3 Video by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 |
Module 3.4: Financial planning and reporting
Much can be said about financial planning and reporting for natural assets. One key lesson is that accounting rules do not pose quite the barrier that one might imagine. This video explains more.
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 3.4 Video by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 |
Module 3.5: planning and development case example [optional]
If you would like to learn a little more about how the Town of Gibsons is handling planning and development with natural assets in mind, then do listen to this interview with the Town's Chief Administrative Office.
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 3.5 Video by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 |
Natural Asset Management Fundamentals - Module 4 - So what?
Module 4 - So what?
"Natural Asset Management Fundamentals – Module 4 – So What? by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0 except where indicated. For external links to resources, review the rights and permission details. |
Welcome to Module 4. Some of you work in local government. Others work in professions or organizations that support local governments and could help them advance natural asset management. All of you live in communities that in some way are already relying on natural assets for core services.
In this module we will dig into your individual and group contexts to answer the question - "what could I being doing differently tomorrow than I am doing today, on natural asset management?"
Module 4 Learning Goals
Module 4 is an opportunity to reflect on how Modules 1-3 relate to your own community and professional contexts, synthesize this into project template that is similar to the project documents that underpin all MNAI projects, discuss it in a team format, and then share your ideas in plenary. The completed project template may just turn out to be the basis for Canada's next natural asset management project...
Module 4 Activity
Module 4 integrates everything we have learned to date into what may well be foundation for the next terrific Canadian natural asset project. It will help you to develop a clear picture of a set of natural asset services, risks, condition and potential strategies in your own community.
Here are the steps and suggested schedule.
Step 1 – Monday & Tuesday (or before): Individual work. Download the worksheet at this link. Thinking about your own community context, consider everything you have learned, complete the worksheet.
Step 2 –Wednesday & Thursday: group work. Post your completed worksheet to the appropriate team discussion forum titled "Activity 4 Step 2 – Wednesday & Thursday: group work".The list of teams is below. Then, within your teams, perform a peer review function on each others’ documents so that each person benefits from the insights of every other person on the team. As suggestions, tell each team member (a) what you like best about their worksheet (b) one thing you learned from their worksheet(c) one thing you would suggest they consider adding to the project (d) one barrier they might face and a strategy for overcoming it.
Feel free to self-organize a Zoom call with your teammates.
Step 3: Thursday and Friday. Share group work. The final step is to share the results of your group work to fellow learners in the Week Four Discussion Forum titled "Sharing Group Work". Your team can do this in a number of ways. For example, you can: select one worksheet that you feel is especially promising, and share this with the whole class and explain why the project is so promising; summarize your projects; or pick one element of each worksheet that is compelling and share this.
Step 4: Thursday and Friday. Review each others’ group work. The final step is to review and comment on each other groups work.
Finally, celebrate your work and kindly complete the course evaluation.
Teams
Team Members Team Discussion Forum for Step 2 | |||
Red Red Team Activity 4 Step 2 – Wednesday & Thursday: group work | |||
Blue Blue Team Activity 4 Step 2 – Wednesday & Thursday: group work | |||
Green | Green Team Activity 4 Step 2 – | ||
Wednesday & Thursday: group work | |||
Yellow Yellow Team Activity 4 Step 2 – Wednesday & Thursday: group work | |||
Red Team Activity 4 Step 2 – Wednesday & Thursday: group work
Step 2 –Wednesday & Thursday: group work. Post your completed worksheet to the appropriate team discussion forum titled "Activity 4 Step 2 – Wednesday & Thursday: group work".Then, within your teams, perform a peer review function on each others’ documents so that each person benefits from the insights of every other person on the team. As suggestions, tell each team member (a) what you like best about their worksheet (b) one thing you learned from their worksheet(c) one thing you would suggest they consider adding to the project (d) one barrier they might face and a strategy for overcoming it.
Blue Team Activity 4 Step 2 – Wednesday & Thursday: group work
Step 2 –Wednesday & Thursday: group work. Post your completed worksheet to the appropriate team discussion forum titled "Activity 4 Step 2 – Wednesday & Thursday: group work". Then, within your teams, perform a peer review function on each others’ documents so that each person benefits from the insights of every other person on the team. As suggestions, tell each team member (a) what you like best about their worksheet (b) one thing you learned from their worksheet(c) one thing you would suggest they consider adding to the project (d) one barrier they might face and a strategy for overcoming it.
Green Team Activity 4 Step 2 – Wednesday & Thursday: group work
Step 2 –Wednesday & Thursday: group work. Post your completed worksheet to the appropriate team discussion forum titled "Activity 4 Step 2 – Wednesday & Thursday: group work". Then, within your teams, perform a peer review function on each others’ documents so that each person benefits from the insights of every other person on the team. As suggestions, tell each team member (a) what you like best about their worksheet (b) one thing you learned from their worksheet(c) one thing you would suggest they consider adding to the project (d) one barrier they might face and a strategy for overcoming it.
Yellow Team Activity 4 Step 2 – Wednesday & Thursday: group work
Step 2 –Wednesday & Thursday: group work. Post your completed worksheet to the appropriate team discussion forum titled "Activity 4 Step 2 – Wednesday & Thursday: group work". Then, within your teams, perform a peer review function on each others’ documents so that each person benefits from the insights of every other person on the team. As suggestions, tell each team member (a) what you like best about their worksheet (b) one thing you learned from their worksheet(c) one thing you would suggest they consider adding to the project (d) one barrier they might face and a strategy for overcoming it.
Module 4 Discussion Forum: Sharing Group Work
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