This three-part training series will equip municipal staff with the knowledge and tools to incorporate natural assets into asset management planning in compliance with Ontario Regulation 588/17.
Drawing on AMONTario’s expertise and Nature is Infrastructure: How to Incorporate Natural Assets into Asset Management Plans, a guidebook developed by the Natural Assets Initiative with support from the Ontario Greenbelt Foundation and MFOA, these sessions will provide advanced guidance for managing natural assets. Participants will gain practical insights into integrating natural assets into existing asset management practices, covering condition, risk, valuation, and levels of service.
Webinar 1 – Condition and Risk for Natural Assets for Asset Management Planning (October 14 from 12:00-1:00 PM ET)
- Overview of green infrastructure and natural asset definitions and regulatory context.
- Overview of natural asset inventory and attributes
- How to interpret detailed ecological datasets (e.g., Ecological Land Classification ELC)
- How to measure condition for different natural asset types
- Natural asset risk assessments: How natural assets reduce community risks
- Scoring consequences, likelihoods, and approaches to risk assessments
- Natural asset climate change vulnerability
- Examples and linking lifecycle management & risk
Webinar 2 – Natural Asset Valuation for Asset Management Planning (October 16 from 12:00-1:00 PM ET)
- The relationships between Tangible Capital Assets (TCAs) and natural assets
- PSAB
- Asset Management CRV
- Differences and similarities between traditional assets and natural assets
- Application of CRV method to natural assets:
- Forests
- Street and park trees
- Landscaped areas
- Wetlands, watercourses, and meadows.
- Ensuring the asset register/inventory supports valuation
- essential financial and physical attributes
- other attributes
- Asset valuation and lifecycle costing
Webinar 3 – Developing Natural Asset Levels of Service (October 23 from 12:00-1:00 PM ET)
- Understanding levels of service for natural assets: what they are, why they matter, and how they align with regulatory requirements.
- Customer and technical LOS for natural assets under different service areas (eg. stormwater management, parks, forestry).
- Current vs. proposed levels of service: How to assess existing service levels and set proposed targets.
- Levels of service & climate change
- Metrics: Useful and measurable indicators for natural asset performance
- Lessons from Ontario municipalities: Short case studies highlighting approaches and practical examples from municipalities across Ontario.
Speakers:
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Jennifer Court, Executive Director, Asset Management Ontario
Jennifer Court is the Executive Director of Asset Management Ontario, where she works to foster a centre of excellence and innovation for public sector asset management in the Province of Ontario. Jennifer is a demonstrated leader with over 20 years’ experience in various not-for-profit organizations, with a particular focus on green infrastructure. It was her work on green infrastructure asset management that first kindled her passion for asset management. Her approach to asset management prioritizes collaboration and supporting climate resilience.
Michelle Sawka, Senior Advisor, Green Infrastructure Asset Management
Michelle is an environmental scientist who specializes in integrating green infrastructure and natural assets into environmental policy and asset management planning processes. With over a decade of hands-on experience collaborating with municipal staff across Ontario, Michelle has helped advance the practice of green infrastructure and natural asset management to support more resilient communities. Her expertise includes developing asset inventories, conducting valuations and condition assessments, completing risk assessments, and defining levels of service and life cycle management strategies for a wide range of green infrastructure asset types.
