The Municipal Natural Assets Initiative (MNAI) is a not-for-profit that provides scientific, economic and municipal expertise to local governments to support and guide them in identifying, valuing and accounting for natural assets in their financial planning and asset management programs.
Local governments across Canada are faced with significant asset management challenges. Many of the services they provide – including water and wastewater, waste removal, transportation, and environmental services – depend on engineered infrastructure assets that are in need of renewal. Meanwhile, the effects of climate change are putting even more strain on these assets and local government budgets.
The MNAI team helps local governments develop leading-edge, sustainable and climate-resilient natural infrastructure that provides, or could be restored to provide, these community services in a cost-effective and sustainable manner now and into the future.
MNAI will be collaborating with UBC in the development of the course.