Climate-resilient community space projects are being created across the Basin

The Columbia Basin Trust is investing nearly $670,000 through its Climate Adapted Community Spaces Grants to support nine Basin projects that adapt parks, streetscapes and green spaces to changing climate conditions, including tree-canopy mapping and a tree-planting plan in the Village of Silverton.

The Village of Silverton and other Basin communities are moving to strengthen outdoor spaces with support from the Columbia Basin Trust. The Trust’s Climate Adapted Community Spaces Grants are funding planning and design work to help parks, streetscapes and green spaces respond to extreme heat, heavier rainfall, drought and wildfire. Projects include inventories, mapping, planting and green water infrastructure. Local leaders described the work as a way to protect natural assets and community livability. Key details: - Columbia Basin Trust is investing nearly $670,000 through the Climate Adapted Community Spaces Grants to support nine projects across the Basin. - The Village of Silverton will map its tree canopy, identify areas vulnerable to drought, wildfire and pests, and develop a tree-planting plan to support long-term urban forest health. - Nelson will receive $100,000 to plant 100 climate-resilient trees, develop an urban heat island map and update its tree inventory. - The City of Trail will receive $75,000 to develop a downtown plan for planting climate-resilient trees to provide shade and cooling breaks. - Nakusp will receive $100,000 to design and identify 10 locations for green water infrastructure to address increased rainfall intensity and support healthier trees. - The Town of Creston plans a stormwater retention pond in ʔak̓uǂni Park to capture runoff, reduce downstream flooding and create habitat supported by native vegetation. Summary: The grants fund planning and early implementation measures such as urban forest inventories, urban heat and flood mapping, climate-resilient landscaping, tree planting and green water infrastructure. These activities are intended to reduce heat, manage stormwater, support biodiversity and improve resilience to drought and wildfire; specific implementation timelines were not specified.