Enhancing Climate Resilience: ClimateWest’s Adaptation in Action Program Champions Impactful Climate Adaptation Projects in the Prairie Provinces

As the Canadian Prairie Provinces are projected to continue warming much faster than the global average, the need to prepare and adapt becomes ever more pressing. Collaborative efforts and partnerships remain pivotal in building climate resilient communities across Canada that will thrive in our changed and changing climate. ClimateWest is committed to fostering strong regional partnerships and supporting projects that are working towards climate adaptation across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Today, to support this goal, ClimateWest is pleased to announce the recipients for the Adaptation in Action Program.

Launched in December 2023, ClimateWest invited proposals from communities, non-profits, research centres, businesses, and other organizations with diverse perspectives for projects that build resilience to our changing climate. A total of $300,000 in funding was available, with up to $50,000 per project. Almost 50 applications were received and a total of 6 recipients were selected. 

“We are thrilled to unveil the list of communities and organizations who are championing climate adaptation and share our vision of a more climate resilient future,” says Elaine Fox, Board Chair of ClimateWest. “With nearly 50 applications submitted, it’s clear that there is growing recognition of the necessity for preparedness and adaptation in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. We look forward to supporting our expanding network across the Prairie region, and sharing project outcomes to inspire others.”

Scroll through the document below for an overview of the impactful and innovative projects across the Prairie Provinces. Stay tuned for further project details, updates and outcomes for these projects over the coming months at www.climatewest.ca.

About the Adaptation in Action Program

The goal of the Adaptation in Action Program, as a stand-alone project funding initiative, has been to support impactful projects in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba that:

• Build understanding about the range of plausible future climate conditions and how this may impact communities, businesses, governments, and organizations;
• Bridge Indigenous and Western knowledges to better advance climate adaptation;
• Identify and assess climate risks and vulnerabilities that result in learnings that apply across the region; and
• Develop information and communication materials that enable adaptation action and investment.

ClimateWest’s past work has supported the development of several beneficial regional adaptation resources, initiatives, and events specifically to address the adaptation needs of the Prairie Provinces. Most recently, these include the Costs of Climate Change on the Prairies, A Snapshot of the Changing Prairie Climate, the Uncertainty Primer, and the recently released Socio-Economic and Ecological Data for Community Adaptation Planning guide. An annual forum hosted by ClimateWest brings together the climate adaptation community across the Prairie region to gather, share experiences, and learn about the state of knowledge on climate adaptation. ClimateWest also provides access to capacity-building materials such as training videos and resources specific to Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The Adaptation in Action Program further expands this work with a continued focus on collaboration and addressing the unique challenges of our region. Support for this program has been made available through ClimateWest’s partner governments of Canada, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.