Environment Lethbridge aims to make Lethbridge a 'living city' through green initiatives. (File photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Pilot project aims to make Lethbridge greener

Nov 15, 2022 | 12:52 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge could become a ‘living city.’

Environment Lethbridge has partnered with Green Communities Canada to become one of its five Living Cities Canada pilot projects.

Kathleen Sheppard, Executive Director of Environment Lethbridge, explains that a living city is one that has large amounts of green spaces and green resources.

“That can be things like trees, green roofs, rain gardens, community gardens, all of those pieces that really bring some green into the city,” says Sheppard.

For Lethbridge specifically, she believes that the community could benefit from having rain gardens that capture storm water and food forests that consist of edible plants.

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Sheppard says there are numerous benefits to going green.

“The way that we manage storm water is a big benefit. You know, green surfaces absorb the water instead of sending it all into storm drains and things like that,” says Sheppard. “But then there’s social benefits too. I think we’re all naturally drawn to spaces that have trees and parks and vegetation.”

Living Cities Canada Program Manager Christine Mettler adds that “Protecting and restoring green infrastructure also makes our cities more vibrant, healthy, and liveable for all. It can solve a lot of problems at the same time, and can be more cost-effective than grey infrastructure.”

Green Communities Canada works with their partner communities to determine what types of projects would be good for them.

Sheppard tells LNN that planning work is ongoing, and that she is excited to bring these initiatives to Lethbridge in the near future.

Read more Lethbridge News Now.