Module 1: Introduction to the course, municipal natural asset management & each other

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 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.

“Natural Asset Management Fundamentals – Module 1.3 Video by Roy Brooke, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0

Optional:

Click here for a detailed look through a voice-over presentation at the Town’s experience led by Lorraine Coughlin, Director of Finance for the Town of Gibsons, and Dave Newman, Director of Infrastructure Services for the Town of Gibsons

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