The Severn Sound Environmental Association (SSEA) and Sustainable Severn Sound (SSS) join forces.

This partnership will increase SSEA’s leadership position as the watershed’s foremost environmental agency.

Despite limited resources, SSS has emerged as the local center for collaborative climate change action.

In 2018, SSS released the area’s first Local Climate Change Action Plan, and continued this important work by developing six corporate-level climate action plans for Severn Sound area municipalities which had committed to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program. These plans were developed to provide municipalities and their communities with the information needed to accelerate local climate action.

The integration of the SSS as a special project underneath the authority of the SSEA will allow for more capacity to realize these plans, while also building on the foundation of the work by both SSS and SSEA to further include considerations for climate resiliency and adaptation. This merger also delivers on the SSEA’s 2018-2023 Strategic Plan: Building an Environmental Legacy. Moving forward, the SSS project will grow its climate-focused role and continue to add value for the Association’s eight partner municipalities while complementing the core environmental services provided by the SSEA.

Quotes
“Climate change efforts require a collaborative approach. The climate leadership shown by the Severn Sound municipalities during their relationship with SSS has put us on the path to realize actual GHG reductions, achieve cost-savings and improve the quality of life for our residents. This merger will ensure the effective implementation of our corporate climate change action plans, and pave the way for watershed resiliency and our future climate adaptation work.”
Steffen Walma, Chair of the SSEA Board, Deputy Mayor Township of Tiny

“The Township of Severn is committed to the effective stewardship of our unique physical environment, as demonstrated in our 2020-2022 Strategic Plan. The integration of the SSS underneath the strong and effective management of the SSEA will allow for the addition of a climate change lens to Township business through the implementation of Severn’s Climate Change Action Plan. The climate change challenge requires action by local governments, and as a member of the SSEA, Severn is responding in an efficient and fiscally-responsible manner while serviced by the combined efforts of the SSEA team.”
Mayor Mike Burkett, Township of Severn

Additional Resources
Severn Sound Environmental Association, Strategic Plan 2018-2023: Building an Environmental Legacy
Federation of Canadian Municipalities Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) Program