Town of Bracebridge approves actions to improve community resiliency against the impacts of climate change

April 3, 2023, Bracebridge, Ont. – In Ontario, Bracebridge Town Council has approved an action plan and implementation schedule which outlines the actions that each Muskoka municipality plans to take to address the most urgent and threatening impacts of climate change.

The Bracebridge Action Plan and Implementation Schedule is the town-specific portion of the District of Muskoka’s Regional Climate Change Adaptation Plan. This adaptation plan is a priority for the town as it prepares for a more resilient future, stated a government issued press release.

Due to its geographical location, Bracebridge is prone to flooding and other impacts of climate change, including the destruction of public and private property, shoreline erosion, irregular sedimentation in rivers and lakes, disruptions to vital infrastructure and more.

The plan is comprised of 30 action items grouped under five themes: development and infrastructure, communication and educational awareness, adaptation programs, emergency response measures, and policy change.

Within each theme, several action items are outlined that aim to review current infrastructure, programs and planning, evaluate safeguards and mitigation programs to better support the community, build partnerships and work collaboratively with area partners, focus on continuous improvement, environmental stewardship and more.

This plan will be used when developing municipal budgets and business plans, and to help guide future climate change adaptation activities.

In July 2021, Bracebridge Town Council declared a climate emergency to support the commitment made by municipalities around the world in protecting local economies, communities, and ecosystems from the ongoing impacts of climate change.