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Post - Training Survey Thank you for completing the Cultivating Food Sovereignty modules! Please complete this post-training module survey to earn a Certificate of Completion. Home Certificate

We are three communities In 2015, the towns of Bruderheim, Gibbons and Lamont, AB, partnered to form Resilient Rurals and define a path to resilience for small and rural communities. The Town of Bruderheim is proud to continue leading this new approach to regional climate resiliency. Bruderheim View Gibbons View Lamont View Interested in growing resilience in your community? Join Us

Join our team! Project Assistant - Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience in Municipalities Resilient Rurals is looking for a focused and enthusiastic individual to join our team and help develop projects for our Regional Adaptation Plan. Recent graduates, or those with experience in communications and the environmental sector are encouraged to apply! Position dates: May 16th, 2022 - February 18th, 2023 Wage: $25.25/hour, 35 hours/week Competition Closes: May 6th, 2022 Please email your resume and cover letter addressing your strengths as a candidate and interest in the project to connect@resilientrurals.com My Story Responsibilities include: Developing preliminary plans and program strategies such as a Flooding Task Force Strategy, Infrastructure Resilience Program and Mock Preparedness Scenarios Subscription Service Implementing program plans and strategies among the communities, including the Community Cooling Centre Plan, Community Water Plan, and Vulnerable Populations Program Developing and executing the partnership’s communications tools and strategies; includes social media posting, website management, design of communication materials and emergency alerts, and a Rural Showcase campaign featuring climate and resilience organizations across Alberta Assisting in the launch, delivery, and evaluation of a pilot program for vulnerable populations in Bruderheim Completing research and writing summary reports related to climate change adaptation best practices and community case studies Conducting interviews and community surveys related to community needs and strengths Facilitating intermunicipal collaboration and agreements (potential for networking with municipalities across Alberta and/or with Indigenous communities) Qualifications: Post-secondary education in environmental sciences, community planning, social sciences, or related experience Ability to work independently and as part of a team within a small organization Ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with various stakeholders Ability to synthesize large amounts of data into communication materials and/or useful options and recommendations Ability to drive and occasionally travel to partner communities and other cities/towns in the region Strong writing and editing skills Experience in research and data collection and analysis is preferred Familiarity with Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, Zoom, and graphic design programs, such as Canva Knowledge of community planning and municipal government is an asset Experience with video editing is an asset Experience with website management and content creation is an asset Competition Closes May 6th, 2022 Please email your resume and cover letter addressing your strengths as a candidate and interest in the project to connect@resilientrurals.com Be prepared to provide references if you are selected for an interview.

Rural Assist Supporting vulnerable residents during unforseen events Rural Assist connects residents who may be critically vulnerable during severe weather and service disruptions to tailored information and support, so they can remain safe despite their health status, living conditions, or age. About the Bruderheim Program The Bruderheim Rural Assist pilot program is currently underway and open for registration for Bruderheim residents. Program registrants will be placed on a list with the Town’s emergency alert system and receive alerts for events that could impact their health and safety. These alerts will provide additional resources, critical information about the event, and act as a touchpoint between those who may need additional assistance and Town Staff. By registering for the Bruderheim Rural Assist Program you will... Improve your safety in poor weather conditions (heat waves, windstorms, freezing rain, floods, wildfires, periods of poor air quality Gain the ability to request assistance during climate-related events and utility outages via a check-in alert function Access information about vulnerability and safety in extreme weather Information you provide to the program regarding your vulnerabilities will only be used by the Resilient Rurals team, Bruderheim staff and relevant emergency departments. Eligibility Rural Assist serves those who: have reduced mobility due to a disability or other factors manage a health condition with equipment that requires electricity and/or running water receive caregiver assistance have a health condition that increases heat sensitivity (e.g., cardiovascular disease, kidney problems , high blood pressure etc.) treat a health condition with medication that increases heat sensitivity (e.g., blood pressure treatments, diuretics, antihistamines, decongestants, medicines to treat psychiatric conditions, etc.) have a health condition that increases risk in poor air quality (e.g., moderate to severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc.) Begin your registration Please provide your name and contact information and a Town of Bruderheim staff member will be in touch to complete your registration. Want to register a family member or friend? Rural Assist will require their direct consent, so please provide your contact information and a staff member will be in touch to discuss the best course of action. First Name Last Name Email Phone Select one of the following * I would like to register with Rural Assist I would like to register a family member or friend with Rural Assist I would like more information about the Rural Assist program Register Thank you! A Bruderheim staff member will be in touch soon to complete your Rural Assist registration Registration Form Don't Qualify for Rural Assist? Register for Bruderheim's Alert System Learn more Emergency Preparedness is important for all of our community members. If you don't qualify for Rural Assist, you can still receive critical alerts and town information by registering for the Bruderheim Alert System. Bruderheim Community Vulnerability Survey Town of Bruderheim wants to explore the different types of climate vulnerability the community experiences. As we see more challenging weather like windstorms, freezing rain, floods, wildfires, heat waves, and poor air quality, we must empower residents with information and support. It’s important that our vulnerabilities aren’t overlooked and people aren't left behind. Who should complete this survey? All Bruderheim residents are encouraged to participate in the Community Vulnerability Survey. Don't think you're 'climate-vulnerable'? Vulnerable or not, your experience is part of the whole community picture and important to take into consideration. Take the survey and learn about how broad climate vulnerability can be. Complete the survey

Take a survey! NEW! Agricultural Producer's Survey Share your insights and personal experience on climate change impacts and agriculture in Canada. CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY The deadline to complete this survey is February 22nd. A Rural Routes to Climate Solutions workshop will be held in Bruderheim on March 21st at the Bruderheim Memorial Community Hall. Please watch this site for more information. Get in touch! Bruderheim Youth Survey Resident Survey Staff Survey Gibbons Youth Survey Resident Survey Staff Survey Lamont Youth Survey Resident Survey Staff Survey COMMUNITY RESILIENCE SURVEYS How to select your survey: Choose from your town's survey menu. If you are in Grades 4-12, please take the Youth Survey. If you are a town staff member, please take the Staff Survey. If you are both a resident and a staff member, we encourage you to complete both the Resident and the Staff surveys. EXTENDED!! Deadline to complete the surveys is January 31st, 2020. Be sure to leave your name and contact information where indicated in the survey to be entered to win the prizes described below. Please note that staff members and any incomplete surveys are not eligible for prizes. Are you from a different community and want to take or initiate a survey? Family 72 hours deluxe backpack emergency survival kit This is the top-selling emergency kit in Canada! It comes well-equipped with vital survival gear and advanced emergency preparedness items, such as a 3-day supply of U.S. Coast Guard Approved Food and Water Rations, Aquatabs Water Purification Tablets, 108 piece First Aid Kit, Emergency Sleeping Bag, Three Wick 36 HR Emergency Candle and a Hand-Crank Powered Light, AM/FM Radio and USB Device Charger. GRAND PRIZE (one prize in total among the three communities) SECOND PRIZE (three prizes in total; one winner in each community) Emergency solar / hand crank weather radio and cell phone charger EMERGENCY READY: This radio will pick up a signal in any weather and broadcast emergency weather alerts for your area. SUPERIOR SOUND QUALITY: Connect the emergency radio with your cellphone or laptop to listen (AUX cable included). DOUBLE THE CAPACITY: 4000mAh rechargeable internal battery guarantees up to 10-12 hours radio playtime and can recharge your cell phone 1-2 times. MULTIPLE WAYS TO CHARGE: Hand crank, solar charging, Micro USB cable and 3 AAA batteries (not included). A FLASHLIGHT TOO: Provides 40 hours of flashlight time to keep you safe in darkness during an emergency. THIRD PRIZE (three prizes in total; one winner in each community) Portable device charger This 12,000 mAh portable charger lets you charge your USB devices during power outages or on the go for hours of extra power. Durable UV-resistant shell with soft rubberized coating. Compatible with all USB smartphones, tablets and other portable devices, and provides up to 6 smartphone charges. DON'T MISS THE FACES OF RESILIENCE PHOTO CONTEST! Share photos of your loved ones - your own faces of resilience - and enter to win a waterproof action camera! Click to find out more.

RESILIENT RURALS ON CBC RADIO Resilient Rurals was so excited to be invited to speak live in studio with Adrienne Pan in February 2020 about our project and progress. Click here to have a listen! WHY RESILIENCE? Climate change adaptation has become a major topic of discussion across the country and around the world. For some municipalities, it's been in process for years. But what is it? Climate change adaptation is the action we take to respond and adapt to a changing climate. For example, building flood defences or landscaping with drought tolerant plants. Adaptation is different from climate change mitigation, which is the action we take to slow or stop climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Much of the attention for municipal climate change adaptation has focused on cities. These large urban centres are making great strides in paving the way. But adaptation in small and rural communities will look very different. The issues faced by these communities are often very different, and in some cases, a department consists of one person. It's critical we start to examine the elements of small town adaptation, and more importantly, overall resilience. Approximately 38% of Albertans live outside of the province's largest urban centres. They are our rural and small town residents, and they have contributed greatly to the history and culture of Canada. Many stand to be severely impacted by changes in climate, as their livelihoods and lifestyles are tied closely to the land. Resilient Rurals wants to ask on their behalf, “As small communities, how resilient are we to things like changes in climate, infrastructure deficits, economic downturns and changes in demographics?” “What makes us resilient?” “What makes us vulnerable?” And, "What can be done?" A HOLISTIC VIEW Often when we approach climate change adaptation, we talk about climate. We talk about projections and we make action plans to address what we're expecting in terms of precipitation and temperature----all with the very best intentions and efforts to ensure our municipalities are resilient when they need to be. But what about the other aspects of our communities that will impact our capacity to adapt and be resilient? Our human and financial resources? Our communication materials and relationship with the public? Our access to contracted services and funding? Resilient Rurals wants to look closer. We want to understand our communities' capacity to adapt to climate change and any other challenge on a more holistic level. Communities are like an ecosystem. Each part is a critical function of the whole. With a clear understanding of the health of each component, our resources and assets, we can take a more balanced, holistic approach to addressing challenges with innovation and preparedness. CELEBRATING OUR NATURE Diversity is the essence of success. Alberta's and Canada's history, culture and economy are made richer through diversity and we believe our differences must be celebrated. Our cities are a hub of activity, of modernization and energetic ventures. They are often a source of learning and generous assistance to smaller communities. And in return, small towns and rural areas contribute to the health of larger urban centres by providing a talented workforce, land area to support industry and agriculture, a refreshing perspective for lifestyle, a place for recreation, and a source of local goods, produce, crops, and more. While our small communities face unique challenges in providing programs and services with resources that vary greatly from larger urbans, they offer a very important quality of life that can’t be found in larger urban centres. A strong sense of community. They provide people with a place they can get to know each other, connect and belong. Significant strength comes from the hard-working people of rural communities. Resilient Rurals is excited to celebrate the nature of our communities, and to create a small town lens from which to view resilience.

Adaptation & Resilience Planning Guides Sharing ideas, knowledge, and experience is one of the quickest routes to innovation. Need some extra planning support or inspiration? Community Cooling Centres Guide Download Community Water Planning - Case Studies & Reccomendations Download Community Water Planning Tool - Interactive Adaptation Roadmap Download Rural Ready Program Guide - Mock Emergency Scenarios Download Native Roots - Flood Tolerant Native Plant Species for the Alberta Region Download Native Roots - Drought Tolerant Native Plant Species for the Alberta Region Download Rural Assist Program Guide - Vulnerable Populations Registry and Support Download

< Back to Rural Showcase Rural Mental Health Project - Shifting From What’s Wrong to What’s Strong to Build a Mentally Resilient Rural Alberta When we talk about mental health, many people only think about mental illnesses like anxiety and depression, but the Rural Mental Health Project is challenging these assumptions to build strong, resilient rural communities. Social connections, supportive livelihoods, culture, and the environment are all integral to community mental health, as are the passionate community members the Project supports. What makes a community healthy looks different in different places, just as mental health means different things to different people. But, how do we promote mentally healthy communities across these different places, when everyone has their own idea of how it should look? We met with Jessica Turowski, Manager of the Rural Mental Project, an initiative of the Canadian Mental Health Association Alberta Division. We wanted to learn more about how the Project creates mentally healthier communities throughout rural Alberta and Jessica’s perspective on how to harness community strengths to realize this objective. “Our goal is to build local capacity in rural communities, to be able to take collaborative actions and steps that help advance rural community mental health. We also provide provincial-level support to communities to increase and improve access and coordination of other things that are available in the province, as well as continue connection for rural communities working together or learning from each other.” The Rural Mental Health Project is designed around three main pillars: Capacity building and training of Community Animators to identify and bring together community partners to define priorities and actions for improving local mental health A network to facilitate inter-community connections and continuous learning Grant streams and funding that help communities implement their shared goals Where We Live and What We Feel: Our Environment Impacts Our Mental Health Where we live and how we live in that space are directly connected to our well-being. Where we live includes our built environment—the colours of our walls, the furniture or decorations in our home, and access to services—and it can include the social supports around us. “There’s a long-established connection between people’s immediate well-being and for example, having a plant in a room. You can actually measure an improvement from people in a room without a plant to people in a room with a plant.” Our geography, weather patterns, and natural environments can also significantly impact our health. “We know that access to nature in very small ways still has measurable impacts on our well-being,” Jessica says. When communities build parks, gardens, and walking trails, “you know your community is well or what is building your community’s wellness in terms of dealing with stress reduction, improving well-being, and quality of life.” Eco-Anxiety and Ecological Grief In terms of climate change and climate adaptation, many populations may be experiencing a phenomenon called ecological grief or eco-anxiety, whereby environmental change and loss are causing a sense of bereavement and/or worry about the future. “A lot of people are going to their psychologists or counsellors, and talking about their heightened levels of depression and anxiety, because of all of the things we’re watching and have no control over.” Jessica tells us, “the anxiety and depression farmers are facing has been significant. There’s more and more discussion about how [rates of death by suicide in the farming community] is connected to unpredictable weather patterns.” Across Canada, stress (45%), depression (35%), anxiety (58%), and burnout among farmers are routinely higher than in the general population (Tait & Leeder, 2019). So where does the Project fit in addressing mental health concerns throughout rural Alberta? To Animate: What Do Community Animators Do? The Rural Mental Health Project's third cohort of Community Animators to undergo training. The Rural Mental Health Project’s Community Animators play a central role in starting the conversation around mental health. They can be anyone who has an interest in serving their community. Family and Community Support Services staff, farmers, fire chiefs, teachers, librarians, and others have become leaders in the mental health conversation. Animator isn’t a title you often hear when discussing mental health, but it perfectly describes what these community members do. So what is the role of a Community Animator? “The term animate confuses a lot of people, but when you think about what an Animator does in terms of an animated movie, they take a still image and they add colour, movement, environment, and interactions. What we see Community Animators doing is bring life, movement, action, and colour into a conversation around ‘how do we work together’ and ‘what does a mentally healthy community means to us’.” When community members choose to become an Animator, they become a facilitator for change for community wellness and mental health. The solutions they design with their Action Teams (other champions) are locally-based, and more directly meet the needs and goals of the people living there. A common complaint about mental health funding and/or external mental health professionals that “parachute in” to a community, is that they do not understand the actual needs of that community. The Project does away with this prescriptive, top-down, attitude by enlisting locals who are passionate about enacting change. They take a strengths-based approach to their work—asking the community members they are working with to build their initiatives with the question ‘ what’s strong in my community? ’, instead of ‘what’s wrong in my community?’. The four buckets of activity Community Animators may pursue: The first step is to identify what support and resources already exist . Animators, in this bucket, are responsible for doing the discovery work in their communities and building relationships. Awareness building and using the common language for mental health is a second step. Not all communities are ready to talk about mental health specifically, but they may care about stress reduction or well-being. It’s important, Jessica reminds us, to meet the community where it’s at in the mental health dialogue. Animators can formally engage stakeholders in conversations about community strengths/weaknesses. Using surveys or word of mouth, an Animator can assess who may be interested in a mental health action team. Many community members may be passionate about improving wellness, and this is their opportunity to get involved! Finally, when an Animator has built a strong foundation, they enter the action phase . In the action phase, Animators may utilize funds to implement the ideas the community identified. Whether this means opening a wellness center or installing walking paths, it’s important the community decides what its priorities are. These four buckets of activity are supported by the Rural Mental Health Project’s training , which teaches Animators how to ask questions and engage the community they’re living in. “The goal of our training isn’t to be prescriptive and tell people what to do or not to do. This is meant to be a sort of different attitude of how do we do this together.” To learn more about the different ways community Animators have engaged their community, visit the Community Stories page on the Rural Mental Health Project’s website! Resources, Strengths, and Community Set Rural Apart from Urban Many differences exist between rural and urban areas. While urban areas may offer a wider variety of resources and easier access in terms of distance and time, rural communities have the advantage of a built-in ‘grit mentality’. “They’ve built capacity and confidence already, and that’s given a lot of rural strength for sure,” Jessica says when considering the differences between rural and urban contexts. Barriers can also act as opportunities. While urban resources are often siloed or set apart from one another, rural communities have the advantage of collaboration and cooperation. When we focus on what has already been done together, we are capable of tackling larger challenges and building a stronger community. It’s this sense of community that makes the Rural Mental Health Project work. Community members themselves are training to become Animators, and in turn, they support mental health conversations and resources at the local level. On the other hand, the mental health discussion is at different stages in different places. While stress and well-being may be commonly used terms, discussions about mental illness may still be shrouded in stigma. This stigma can be a challenge when moving mental health dialogue forward, while also protecting critical relationships. Therefore, it’s critical for Animators to discover and speak their community’s mental health language—common terms and phrases their community identifies with and wants to pursue. Whether the term is mental health, wellness, or something else altogether. The Project teaches Community Animators tools that can be applied in their own communities. Rural Mental Health To Rural Resilience We know rural communities have all the makings to be resilient in the face of whatever challenges arise. When we asked Jessica how mental health and resiliency are connected, she said “mental health is not just the absence of mental illness, it also includes the things that help us build well-being and resiliency, [such as] our social connections, our livelihoods, our culture, our natural and built environments.” When we are resilient, we are better able to cope with stressors, whether they are personal or environmental. We have better mental health. Similarly, strong mental health is associated with more resiliency. “[Resiliency] doesn’t mean we don’t face issues, it means people have the confidence and the capacity to be able to endure and overcome those challenges. A resilient community is also one that supports mental health.” How Rural Communities Are Supporting Well-Being Some unique service challenges exist in rural communities, depending on where they are located and how they have been developed. Access to mental health resources, particularly clinical counselling, is a significant barrier preventing some people from receiving the support they need. Driving to an urban center for services isn’t always feasible when we consider time, mode of transport, distance, and cost—even when it’s the only option. Considering well-being holistically, incorporating biological, psychological, social, and spiritual influences, we find many more local levers for action that rural communities can take advantage of. Walking trails, community events, and open dialogues about wellness can help promote and facilitate a better understanding of community strengths. When we shift our focus to our strengths, as opposed to the gaps that may exist, we further foster resiliency. Community Animators are responsible for doing this discovery work, finding where community resilience can be bolstered, and utilizing grants to make these goals come to life. These actions can include anything from promoting kindness to improving mental health awareness and preparedness, to community initiatives on nutrition, and much more. Mental Health: The Biopsychosocial-spiritual Model Mental illness is a relatively new term, and there is still debate about how to diagnose and treat mental illnesses like depression and anxiety. The biopsychosocial-spiritual model helps us consider mental health holistically. Biology : many parts of our body are pre-programmed by genetics. When one of those programs falters, such as the regulation of hormones, it can cause a mental illness. Anti-depressants address mental illness by targeting biological factors. Psychology: our mental health is impacted by the way we see the world around us. Is the world dangerous? Does what we do matter? These factors can impact mental health. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) targets these thought patterns and perceptions. Social Influences : humans are social creatures, and who we surround ourselves with can greatly influence our wellness. Toxic or dangerous situations can have long-lasting impacts on our well-being, as does who we spend time with. Spirituality/Religion : a positive spiritual relationship can act as a protective factor for mental health and community, and improve our view of the world. It can also help us connect with our natural environment, and manage our stress levels. The Foundation of Kindness in Devon, Alberta Heather Acres , one of many Community Animators of the Rural Mental Health Project, believes in the importance of addressing mental health at a community level. As a Community Development Facilitator, she has been instrumental in developing the Virtues Project with the community of Devon, Alberta. A sense of belonging and kindness were repeatedly identified by youth as important to them, and the community’s youths were key to implementing kindness initiatives and webinars in the Town. Heather is looking forward to enhancing community roles and involvement in the future. Aware and Prepared: Hinton, Alberta’s Goal of Support Community Animator, Charlene Sitar , has sought a different approach to mental health in Alberta’s communities. Recognizing that many business owners have faced increased stress during the pandemic, Charlene started her community animation by engaging the business sector to identify needs. She then worked to bridge the gaps and build awareness of what community supports already existed. By increasing awareness of resources among the business community, Charlene has helped prepare residents of Hinton, Alberta in case they recognize the effects of mental illness on themselves or their loved ones. This greater level of preparedness will help ensure a quicker response to meeting mental health needs as they arise. Claresholm, Alberta: A Five-Year Plan Things look a little more structured in Claresholm, Community Animator Gabrielle Kirk , shares. After surveying her community, she found that feelings of isolation were common, as were gaps in service knowledge. Since then, she and the community created a five-year plan, aiming to introduce music therapy, a community health speaker series, and focus on community nutrition and food security. Stronger Together: A Resilient Community Requires Everyone A recurring theme in our conversation with Jessica, as well as in the efforts of Community Animators, is the need to engage all people in a community when promoting wellness. When we asked why this was the case, Jessica said, “I’ll use a scallop analogy – a scallop is a circle that has eyes all around it. One of the advantages of having a 360-degree vision is if a predator comes, any one of those eyes can see that it coming, so you can protect yourself and do something about it. If you are ignoring some of the voices or some of the eyes in your community, you’re at greater risk, because there are experiences that aren’t being communicated, so nothing can happen about it.” This isn’t to say community engagement is an easy task—in many communities, there are populations with a shared and sometimes tense history—but it is a necessary task. Healing does not happen in a day, but Community Animators play an essential role in discovering what is needed to start that thousand-step journey to promoting rural resilience. Reference Carrie Tait & Jessica Leeder. (2019). “With high stress, anxiety and depression, 40 per cent of Canadian farmers uneasy about seeking help.” The Globe and Mail. Retrieved June 13, 2022 from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alberta/article-with-high-stress-anxiety-and-depression-40-per-cent-of-canadian/ . Previous Next Introducing Rural Showcase... A dynamic network of resilience leaders are working in and among rural communities across Canada. Resilient Rurals' Rural Showcase highlights the prominent champions channelling their expertise and passion to empower rural communities, advance climate adaptation and enhance the local environment. Connect with local leaders, hear their stories and learn from their expertise.

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Projects Rural Assist Pilot Program, Bruderhiem, AB View Rural Showcase Campaign View Cultivating Food Sovereignty in the Spirit of Reconciliation View Interested in co-developing a project? Contact Us