Nature That Works

The document argues that natural infrastructure—comprising eight natural assets and nine constructed assets—is essential for bridging the water-related infrastructure gap in the Canadian Prairies. It details how these assets support flood mitigation, water supply, drought mitigation, and water quality, often complementing existing 'grey' infrastructure to enhance resilience against climate-driven extreme weather events.

• Natural infrastructure is urgently needed in the Canadian Prairies because approximately 30% of the region's water-related grey infrastructure, such as pipes and treatment plants, is in fair, poor, or very poor condition, with replacement costs expected to reach billions of taxpayers' dollars.
• The report identifies 17 types of natural infrastructure relevant to the Canadian Prairies, divided into eight natural assets (conserved and restored ecosystems) and nine constructed assets. These are categorized into four functional families based on their morphology, landscape position, and role in water management.
• Natural infrastructure supports three primary water management areas: flood mitigation (by intercepting and slowing water to reduce peak flows), water supply and drought mitigation (by capturing and gradually releasing snowmelt and rainfall), and water quality (using soil, plants, and microbes to capture and break down pollutants).
• To achieve water resilience, the document recommends an integrated approach that combines natural assets, constructed assets, and grey infrastructure. It specifically suggests prioritizing the protection of grasslands, forests, and wetlands, restoring natural river and floodplain features, and safeguarding groundwater recharge zones.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (2025). Nature That Works. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2025-05/benefits-performance-natural-infrastructure-water-management-summary.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. Nature That Works. 2025. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2025-05/benefits-performance-natural-infrastructure-water-management-summary.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=Nature That Works |date=May 2025 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2025-05/benefits-performance-natural-infrastructure-water-management-summary.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopment2025nature, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{Nature That Works}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2025}, month = may, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2025-05/benefits-performance-natural-infrastructure-water-management-summary.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }