Xwísten Traditional Use Lands Study Date: 2014-2015 Land tenure on First Nation reserves can be complicated. Without clarity of tenure, it can create community conflict and stall community development. EcoPlan worked with Xwísten (Bridge River Indian Band) to tackle this challenging issue. Through research and interviews, EcoPlan and Xwísten developed a greater understanding of family […]
Urban Naturalization in Canada: A Guidebook for Canadian Municipalities Date: 2002 EcoPlan researched and wrote a nationally disseminated policy and program guidebook for Evergreen Canada to assist municipalities incorporate naturalization in their official plans, policies, environmental programs and operating procedures. Intended primarily for land-use planners, park managers, landscape architects, ecologists and other professionals, the guide can […]
Transport Canada Case Studies Date: 2007-2010 For the past several years, EcoPlan has provided ongoing research services to Transport Canada for sustainable transportation projects and planning approaches. Our work has created over 30 case studies and issue papers for Transport Canada’s Information Network, a forum for transportation practitioners and other observers to share information and lessons […]
Translink Structured Decision-Making Course Date: 2013 Working with other experts in the field of structured decision-making (Mike Harstone of Compass Resource Management, Dr. Robin Gregory of Value Scope Research, and Basil Stumborg, BC Hydro’s Decision Analysis Expert for Energy Planning and Economic Development), EcoPlan developed and delivered a three day structured decision-making (SDM) course for Translink […]
Training Strategy for Ta’an Kwäch’än Local Economic Development Date: 2006-2007 EcoPlan collaborated with Beringia Planning to develop a twenty-five year strategic plan and local economic development training program for the Ta’an Kwäch’än First Nation in Whitehorse, Yukon. The project included an extensive labour market/human resources SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) and an integrated community capacity […]
Training of Trainers and Technical Planning Support – Strategic Planning for Local Economic Development Date: 2002-2006 EcoPlan worked with UN-HABITAT, local partners and Canadian federal partners (Industry Canada, CIDA) to develop and lead several Train-the-Trainer workshops and conferences in Romania, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Chile and Mexico. Focusing on strategic planning for LED, […]
Training in Comprehensive Community Planning Date: 2016-2017 EcoPlan led a 2-day training for Nokiiwin Tribal Council’s six communities in the Thunder Bay / Lake Nipigon area. This included an overview of values- based decision making, project planning, strategic planning, and community engagement in the context of developing Comprehensive Community Plans for First Nations. The training included […]
Summerland Economic Development Forum Date: 2012 Based on our proprietary and award winning participatory strategic planning process, EcoPlan designed and delivered an economic development forum for the District of Summerland. The forum attracted over 50 members of the local business community, the District of Summerland Mayor, Council and staff, residents, as well as representatives of the […]
Strategic Development Plan for Tourism in Arxan, Inner Mongolia Date: 2007 EcoPlan authored a manual that assisted in the design and delivery of training workshops for the training series publication Promoting Local Economic Development through Strategic Planning, which was produced for UN‐HABITAT by EcoPlan. It provided field‐tested advice on the efficient management of the training process from […]
Strategic Planning Toolkit for Local Economic Development Date: 2017+ EcoPlan worked with the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism, and Skills Training to develop a Strategic Planning Toolkit for Local Economic Development for communities across British Columbia. This project included working closely alongside the Ministry and a working group to develop toolkit materials and deliver an in-person train-the-trainers […]
Species at Risk Workshop Facilitation Date: 2010 EcoPlan facilitated a workshop for members of the Canadian Electricity Association, the Canadian Hydropower Association, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Environment Canada to explore the permitting implications of the Species At Risk Act (SARA). The overall objective was to identify regulatory mechanisms that would enable effective […]
Shaping Active, Healthy Communities – Community Leaders Guide Date: 2010 EcoPlan worked with the Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSF) to develop a workshop guide to support HSF’s Shaping Active, Healthy Communities Toolkit, a resource guide for individuals and organizations interested in making their communities healthier places to live. As a companion document, the workshop guide helps HSF’s volunteer […]
SFU Local Economic Development Course Date: 2007
SEAS Program Evaluation Date: 2017+ EPI is currently working with TNC Canada and several Coastal First Nations (Heiltsuk, Kitasoo/Xai’xais and Nuxalk) to evaluate the impact of a youth program known as the SEAS program – Supporting Emerging Aboriginal Stewards. This program operates in several communities and is specifically tailored to meet each community’s priorities, needs and […]
Regional Planning Toolkit for Treaty First Nations & Local Governments Date: 2012 In 2012, EcoPlan helped support two new Treaty First Nations of the Maa-nulth Treaty — Huu-ay-aht First Nations and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government — join the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) on Vancouver Island’s west coast. An undertaking with no precedents, EcoPlan worked with the parties through […]
Regional District of Nanaimo – Nodal Development Guidebook Date: 2005 EcoPlan helped Smart Growth BC to research, write and produce a guidebook for the Regional District of Nanaimo on nodal development and its role within the District’s Regional Growth Strategy. The document included design guidelines and a section on best practices. The guidebook was the first […]
Proposal and Grant Writing Support Date: 2000-present EcoPlan has helped a large number of different organizations, First Nations, and foundations with writing proposals and grants. Where appropriate, we focus on capacity building so that internal staff can gain the skills required to write proposals themselves over time. The groups with which we’ve worked have had high […]
Powell River Regional District Workshop Date: 2010 EcoPlan facilitated a regional planning workshop that brought together representatives of the Powell River Regional District, the City of Powell River, and the Tla’amin First Nation to discuss a Regional Growth and Development Analysis Report prepared by Van Struth Consulting Group. The workshop commenced with a discussion of […]
Post-Crisis Local Economic Recovery Learn & Practice Package Date: 2008 EcoPlan contributed to the development of a Local Economic Recovery Learn and Practice Package,a manual series for practitioners containing guidance, operational tools, and self‐assessment instruments for Local Economic Recovery (LER) field practice. To be globally disseminated by the International Labour Organization, the package is comprised of […]
Politics, Strategies, and Structural Projects Workshop (Mexico) Date: 2009 EcoPlan facilitated a workshop on politics, strategies and structural projects to facilitate brainstorming and innovation regarding the future of urban areas in northern Mexico. This workshop, which was attended by members of the municipalities of Tijuana, Tecate, and Playas de Rosarito, aimed to generate a participatory […]
Planning Healthy Communities Fact Sheets Date: 2012 After reviewing nearly 100 peer-reviewed articles and 16 reports from respected Canadian agencies published between 2007 and 2011, EcoPlan developed a series of fact sheets highlighting findings from the Canadian context relating community design and health. Covering such themes as active transportation, children & youth, and equity, the […]
Planning for Healthy Communities and Economies Workshop Date: 2009-2010 EcoPlan designed and facilitated a workshop that pulled together health practitioners and economic development stakeholders to identify the links between a healthy built environment and local economic development. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss how communities could facilitate economic development and diversification opportunities by […]
Partners in Parks: Strengthening Aboriginal engagement and relationships in Parks Canada protected areas Date: 2014 EcoPlan worked with Parks Canada to develop a resource and planning guide to help support and strengthen Aboriginal engagement in protected areas management. Designed for a range of users, it is intended to complement Parks Canada’s existing resources and to […]
Nature of Cities – Professional Development Program Date: 2003 EcoPlan developed and delivered a professional development workshop for land use professionals and practitioners on urban green space restoration, enhancement and protection. Certified by both the Planning Institute of BC and the BC Society of Landscape Architects for professional development learning credits, the three-hour workshop included […]
Youth Stewardship: Canada – Ecuador Program Date: 2001 Working with Environmental Youth Alliance, EcoPlan implemented a program for Canadian youth in Ecuador that achieved the following four objectives: Objective #1 – Youth International Interns will gain experience by working with sustainable micro-enterprise development Objective #2 – Youth Interns with gain skills enhancement in alternative energy […]
Musqueam Staff Retreat Date: 2008 EcoPlan supported a Staff Retreat that focused on Strategic Planning and Organizational Planning in the Musqueam community. This retreat built on a previous staff planning retreat which focused on developing the 2008 departmental work plans and visions. The workshop, which emphasized Musqueam organizational development, was designed as an interactive group […]
Musqueam Chief, Council, and Economic Development Retreat Date: 2009 EcoPlan facilitated a retreat for the Musqueam Chief and Council, which focused on developing an effective Musqueam economic development governance structure. This governance structure has helped improve transparency, economic efficiency and boost revenue generation.
Musqueam 2010 Council Retreat Date: 2010 EcoPlan conducted a retreat for the Musqueam Council to address governance issues. During the retreat, EcoPlan facilitated effective discussion between Council members and helped develop a strategic plan for Council and for the Economic Development branch of the Musqueam government.
Local Economic Development Through Strategic Planning Date: 2006 EcoPlan helped facilitate a workshop organized around the four-volume Strategic Planning for Local Economic Development, a joint UN-HABITAT-EcoPlan publication. The event focused on interactive group training, where participants learned from each other, the trainer, and the training materials. It included Country Dialogues where local and regional participants […]
Local Economic Development Seminar – World Urban Forum Date: 2006 EcoPlan designed and facilitated a professional development seminar on strategic planning for local economic development (LED) as a special “pre-event” for the World Urban Forum. The interactive seminar examined how various groups – including donors, local government, private sector, and civil society organizations – are […]
Local Economic Development in Practice Date: 2013 The precursor to this joint UN-Habitat / EcoPlan International toolkit, Promoting Local Economic Development through Strategic Planning, focused primarily on process – how to develop an economic development strategy through participatory methods. This toolkit looks at local economic development in practice. It dives deeper into some of the […]
Local Economic Development for Yukon Elected Officials Date: 2016 EcoPlan developed a Local Economic Development for Yukon Elected Officials for Yukon Economic Development to increase the understanding and awareness of local economic development planning methods and processes. The action-oriented session takes participants through a series of structured activities so that be the end of the […]
Local Economic Development for Small and Medium Sized Cities Date: 2012 As part of an ongoing partnership with UN Habitat in providing expert support and advice for local economic development (LED) around the globe, EPI developed the following six tools for LED: (1) Services and Support – i3 Ideas, Impact, Implementation; (2) Situation Assessment: Assets, […]
Local Economic Development & Municipal Service Delivery (Zambia) Date: 2005 Working with UNDP, EcoPlan undertook three main actions over the course of this project: an evaluation of UNDP support of decentralization, with recommendations for a way forward; an exploratory assessment of opportunities to support LED in relation to the process of decentralization; and an evaluation […]
Leading by Example – Wellness Champion Resource Date: 2015-2017 EcoPlan worked with the First Nations Health Authority (in collaboration with the First Nations Health Directors Association and the First Nations Health Council) on a Health and Wellness Champion resource entitled Leading by Example: Inspiring Stories of Health, Wellness and Leadership. This resource profiles eleven BC […]
Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nations Land Use Planning Training Date: 2008 EcoPlan developed a Land Use Mapping Interview and Training Guide for KHFN that demonstrated effective ways of mapping and recording traditional land use and related oral histories to assist with KHFN’s future land use planning. The guide was used by KHFN to identify and designate […]
Metro Vancouver Green Infrastructure Network Resources Guide Date: 2013 EcoPlan supported project lead Diamond Head Consulting in the development of Connecting the Dots: A Regional Green Infrastructure Network for Metro Vancouver. This guide is intended to help Metro Vancouver planners, leaders, and community members to understand the principles, technologies and applications of green infrastructure projects, such as permeable […]
Training in Comprehensive Community Planning Client: Nokiiwin Tribal Council Date: 2017 EcoPlan led a 2-day training for Nokiiwin Tribal Council’s six communities in the Thunder Bay / Lake Nipigon area. This included an overview of values- based decision making, project planning, strategic planning, and community engagement in the context of developing Comprehensive Community Plans for […]
Healthy Communities Legislative Comparison Survey Date: 2013 In early 2012, Healthy Canada by Design CLASP partners, including CIP and the Heart and Stroke Foundation, commissioned a Healthy Communities Practice Guide and three facts sheets, which EPI produced. These documents were produced to help public health practitioners, planners and policy-makers to integrate relevant and recent findings […]
Healthy Built Environments ‐ Planning 101 for Health Professionals Date: 2008-2009 EcoPlan worked with the Province of British Columbia’s Health Services Authority to develop and deliver Land Use Planning 101, a capacity building workshop series for health professionals to encourage them to become more involved in local planning processes. The initiative included the development and […]
Governance Capacity Initiative for the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council Date: 2012-2013 EcoPlan worked with the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council (NSTC) to develop an orientation kit and training program (including interactive web elements) and deliver several workshops to the Tribal Council and community for governance capacity building. Developed with input from elected officials and Band Administrators […]
Future of Driving Forum Date: 2016 EcoPlan was contracted by TransLink to facilitate the last in a series of regional planning discussion forums on the Future of Driving – an initiative to explore how a number of emerging social and technological trends may affect the regional mobility in the future. To help participants (primarily regional […]
District Strategic Development Planning (Palestine) Date: 2007 EcoPlan created a participatory planning manual and facilitator’s guide that served as the first comprehensive roadmap for regional planning in occupied Palestinian territories (oPt). Its process and tools are utilized in establishing District Strategic Development Plans, the guiding strategies for regional land use planning and development in the […]
Coquitlam River Flood Management Process Date: 2012-2013 Cowichan Tribes, the largest First Nation in BC, worked with EcoPlan to create a pair of guiding planning documents for the community – a Comprehensive Community Plan (CCP) and Land Use Framework. Initial meetings identified that Cowichan Tribes lacked a trained and experienced community planner. Throughout the project […]
Comprehensive Community Planning Toolkit and Training Date: 2016-2017 EcoPlan developed a Comprehensive Community Planning Toolkit and training program for NADF and its 89 First Nation communities. The toolkit is designed as a step-by-step resource for First Nations staff and leadership who are involved in resourcing and delivering a CCP project. This includes guides and tools […]
Climate Change and Health Backgrounders Date: 2016-2017 EcoPlan worked with the BC Ministry of Health and the BC Climate Action Secretariat to produce a series of factsheets designed to communicate the health risks of climate change to four key audience groups in the province (local governments and decision-makers, frontline health care workers, public health practitioners, […]
Child and Youth Friendly Planning Guidelines Workshops Date: 2009-2010 EcoPlan organized a number of actions to raise awareness and facilitate adoption of Planning Guidelines for Child and Youth Friendly Cities in communities across British Columbia. Working with stakeholders and partners in the Capital Regional District in Victoria, the launch event was followed by a more […]
Buffalo Lake Cultural Education and Contemporary Skills Development Date: 2016-2017 Building on a Traditional Land Use (TLU) and Historical Communities (HC) Study completed in 2004, the Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement (BLMS) hired EcoPlan to develop and facilitate an educational program exploring Métis culture, history and migration though mapping technologies. With input from BLMS teachers, researchers […]
B.E.A.T. Neighbourhood Assessment Tool Date: 2009 EcoPlan developed a Built Environment and Active Transportation (B.E.A.T.) Neighbourhood Assessment tool to help local governments, community organizations and individuals understand how built environments impact active transportation in their neighbourhoods – both urban and rural. The tool facilitates the assessment of pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, roads and parking, trails, […]
Metro Wastewater Education Brief Date: 2016 EcoPlan was contracted by the Liquid Waste Department of Metro Vancouver to compile a research brief regarding educational elements in municipal wastewater infrastructure.
