As we navigate turbulent and uncertain times, we’re finding hope in the many ways that communities are coming together in solidarity. We are seeing a renewed emphasis on place, from supporting local communities and economies to forging a deeper sense of belonging with our neighbours and stewarding all that we love.
As you read on, you’ll see that 2025 is also a year of transitions, growth, and new opportunities at the Tamarack Institute. We thank you in advance for your patience as we navigate new beginnings and transitions.
It is within this context that we are embarking on a journey with 10 communities from Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories to accelerate the implementation of climate adaptation actions through community-driven, cross-sector approaches. The Adaptive and Resilient Communities Cohort begins this month, with support from Natural Resources Canada, and in partnership with Climate Caucus and Partners4Action.
We are also excited to announce a new partnership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) that will enable us to deepen our work with municipalities and support them in building their capacity around community engagement, equity, collaborative governance and other critical skills that can support their local climate adaptation work. Check out Astrid’s reflections from the FCM’s Sustainable Communities Conference and an Atlantic roundtable with Minister Guilbeault.
In collaboration with MaRS Discovery District and Good Neighbour Kitsilano and with support from Gore Mutual Insurance, we will continue hosting a public and open Emergency Preparedness Community of Practice and work closely with select communities in Vancouver, Waterloo, and the Greater Toronto Area around their emergency preparedness and community resilience plans. Read more here.
Our team is changing! Our fearless Director and Team Lead Laura Schnurr is heading out on parental leave to welcome a new member of her family. We wish Laura all the best and good health during her time away. With this transition, Kieran Maingot is taking on the role of Team Lead.
We’re thrilled to welcome Stephen Ngonain to the Community Climate Transitions team as our new Senior Manager of Communities! With a background in municipal climate action, policy development, public engagement, and capacity building, Stephen brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Tamarack. He will lead efforts to strengthen our network’s impact in advancing climate adaptation and resilience.
During these transitions we appreciate your patience with us as we establish new working rhythms!
Over the next year, we’re excited to be joined by 10 members of the network for our latest cohort journey focused on action and implementation. These members are deeply committed to making progress on local climate adaptation and resilience efforts by leveraging the power of partnerships to overcome the on-the-ground challenges they face.
We’ll be sharing more on this journey in the weeks and months ahead, but for now, meet the Adaptive and Resilient Communities Cohort.
Over the past few months, Tamarack and partners (Climate Reality Project Canada, Clean Air Partnership and Climate Caucus) co-hosted a four-part webinar series on why municipalities often struggle to translate their climate plans into measurable outcomes. The sessions dug into the social, technical, institutional and political, and financial barriers to implementation, and explored some of the many solutions that are working in communities.
Read on for reflections and learnings from the series and to catch up on the recordings and resources shared.
Date:April 30, 2025 | 10-11am PT / 1-2pm ET / 2-3pm AT Speakers: Mayor Rebecca Alty (City of Yellowknife) and Don Iveson (Co-operators & former Mayor of Edmonton)
Join us for a conversation on how cities and communities across Canada are navigating extreme weather events and demonstrating leadership when it comes to strengthening local climate adaptation and resilience.
Whether you are a municipal leader, policymaker, community organization, business leader or active resident, this webinar will help you unpack strategies for building climate-resilient communities, fostering collaboration, and advancing equity-driven adaptation plans.
This month, we’re looking back on two Tamarack webinars that provide timely interventions to deepen the intentions and actions behind our climate equity commitments.
Featuring a conversation with Elder Dr. Albert Marshall, the renowned Mi’kmaw Elder who introduced the concept of Etuaptmumk, or Two-Eyed Seeing, this webinar explores examples of Etuaptmumk, challenges to its practice, the roles non-Indigenous folks can play, and how it can help us build more holistic and sustainable solutions.
Listen in on an insightful conversation co-hosted by Tamarack and Black Eco Bloom, exploring the intersections of Black ancestral knowledge, community relations, and climate justice. This webinar first roots Black histories in what we call Canada and then delves into what this means for equitable climate action.
We also encourage folks to look at two upcoming projects Black Eco Bloom is launching to continue to deepen the role of community and ancestral knowledge in the fight against climate change. Read more on these exciting projects here.
UPDATES FROM ACROSS TAMARACK
WORKING GROUP | Call to join Tamarack’s Emergency Preparedness Working Group
We are excited be partnered with Gore Mutual Insurance, MaRS Discovery District, and Good Neighbour Kitsilano to bring together a working group of communities based in Vancouver, Waterloo or Greater Toronto Area that are developing community emergency preparedness and resilience plans.
As the Emergency Preparedness Working Group, we will work to support each community to go deeper on integrating equity and strengths-based approaches into their community planning and preparedness efforts.
For more information and to be included in the Working Group, please reach out to Astrid Arumae.
Communities Building Belonging is excited to share a new opportunity for members! The Circle of Actions Cohort is designed to enable local champions to create plans and implement interventions that foster community belonging.
Each participating team can also nominate 1-2 individuals to join the Pathways for Change Cohort to accelerate their leadership skills as changemakers. Learn more and watch a recording of our Q&A session.
Black Eco Bloom is seeking experienced and passionate individuals to guide and support a cohort of 6 young climate fellows as they develop professionally and implement local climate adaptation projects. Two mentors will be selected from a pool of qualified candidates, for an average commitment of about 8 hours per month. Learn more about the mentorship opportunity.
North America's Turtle Island has been home to Indigenous peoples descended from First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples since time immemorial.
At the Tamarack Institute, we recognize the contributions and historical significance of indigenous peoples, and affirm our collective commitment to fulfilling the promise and challenge of truth and reconciliation in our communities.
