Information Bulletin
For immediate release

Saanich’s Climate & Energy Action Award was presented by Community Energy Association CEO Megan Lohmann (far right), accompanied by Adrian Dix (far left), BC Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock (middle left) is holding the award alongside the District’s Manager of Sustainability Rebecca Newlove. 

Saanich, BC – The District of Saanich received two awards at the Climate & Energy Action Awards this past week at the annual Union of BC Municipalities convention in Vancouver.

The Community Energy Association awarded the District of Saanich an Action Award for infrastructure improvements made as part of the Tillicum Green Infrastructure Project. The collaborative work by District staff, in partnership with the Greater Victoria School District, improved the neighbourhood’s resiliency to flood and extreme heat while also bringing social and environmental benefits.

"These award-winning projects and community champions prove that climate action truly exists at an intersection with economic development, jobs, affordability, energy security, and resilience," said Megan Lohmann, CEO. "Actions at the community level have the greatest impact and deliver so many tangible benefits."

Additionally, Saanich’s Manager of Sustainability Rebecca Newlove received a Champion Award for the dedication and commitment to climate action displayed over her ten years with the District. During this period, Rebecca brought about meaningful change, inspired others, and supported inclusive and equitable climate action.  

Realizing community benefits

The Tillicum Green Infrastructure Project received praise for its wide-reaching community benefits. The project replaced paved surfaces with more than a dozen rain gardens, facilitated the planting of more than 100 trees and 1200 shrubs, and created opportunities for staff and students to take part in the planting of native and culturally significant species – all as part of a larger road safety and active transportation improvement project.

“The community benefits these type of climate projects generate - improved health & safety, cost savings, better affordability, biodiversity & ecosystem health, economic development - would not be possible without the generous support of our partners,” says Rebecca Newlove, Manager of Sustainability. “The consistent Provincial funding provided through the Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP), has created a stable foundation that allows local governments to leverage considerable additional external funding to deliver healthier, more resilient communities.”

The Tillicum Green Infrastructure Project is being generously supported by a $396,865 grant from the Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Adaptation (DRR-CA) funding stream of the Provincial Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF).  This is administered by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM).

The Community Energy Association (CEA) is a BC-based non-profit charity that accelerates local action on climate and energy. It has been presenting the Climate & Energy Action Awards for nearly three decades. Over that time, the awards have showcased innovative projects that have translated community ambitions into on-the-ground initiatives that benefit residents.

Learn more

For more information about the District’s awards and the other recipients of Climate & Energy Action Awards, please visit the Community Energy Association’s website.

For more information about the Tillicum Green Infrastructure Project, please visit Tillicum Green Infrastructure Project | District of Saanich.

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Media contact:
Saanich Communications
media@saanich.ca