Ontario Construction News staff writer
The federal government’s Natural Infrastructure Fund has awarded $90,000 to Nipissing First Nation for construction of a wetland that can convert nutrient-rich wastewater into environmentally safe, non-potable water for growing ecologically significant plant species.
Wetlands store carbon; help communities prevent floods, droughts, and adapt to environmental change; improve water quality by removing pollutants; and provide important habitat for fish and wildlife, the fund said in a Sept. 10 news release.
Once installed, it said the wetland will be capable of filtering contaminants out of wastewater so it can be used to irrigate important and rare pollinator and marsh-based plant species. The community aims to become a regional leader in the use of modern green technologies.
“Nipissing First Nation is honoured to receive grant funding through the Natural Infrastructure Fund, enabling the installation of an innovative Constructed Wetland at the Mnogin Greenhouse,” said Cathy Bellefeuille-Stevens, Chief, Nipissing First Nation. “This achievement marks a significant step forward in our Nation’s commitment to enhancing food security, promoting environmental sustainability, and strengthening community resilience while leading the implementation of sustainable green technologies within the region.”
The Nipissing First Nation is a community of Nishnaabeg people who live along the shorelines of Lake Nipissing in a vast area of Northeastern Ontario that includes North Bay.
The fund says it supports projects that use natural, or hybrid approaches to increase resilience to climate change, mitigate carbon emissions, protect and preserve biodiversity and wildlife habitats, and promote Canadians’ access to nature.
Examples of natural infrastructure include urban forests, street trees, wetlands, living dikes, bioswales, and naturalized coastal restoration.
Hybrid infrastructure incorporates elements of engineered grey infrastructure to enhance or support natural infrastructure and/or the use of ecosystem processes, the fund says. Examples of hybrid infrastructure include green roofs and walls, and naturalized stormwater ponds.
A minimum of 10 per cent of the NIF will be allocated to Indigenous-led projects.
