TRACK 1, DAY 2
Fostering Community-Based Low Impact Development (LID): A Deep Dive Into Scaling Residential Stormwater Management Through Municipal–Community Collaboration (Panel)
Alexia Da Poupada, Green Venture; Stephan Meloche, EnviroCentre; and Taylor Ross, Reep Green Solutions
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Hall A
ABSTRACT
This presentation brings together three leading organizations advancing residential-scale Low Impact Development (LID) across Ontario: Green Venture shares results and lessons from delivering Hamilton’s Rain Ready Rebate Program; EnviroCentre highlights its role delivering Rain Ready Ottawa through homeowner incentives, training, and outreach; and REEP Green Solutions presents its experience administering stormwater credits and residential GI programs in Guelph and Kitchener-Waterloo.
Together, the panel illustrates diverse but complementary approaches to program delivery, community engagement, and demonstration-based education. Speakers will discuss implementation challenges, effective outreach strategies, and how municipal nonprofit partnerships can scale residential LID adoption and strengthen stormwater resilience.
(1) Residential-scale LID practices are essential for community climate adaptation, reducing stormwater runoff and improving local resilience. The Rain Ready Hamilton Rebate Program, delivered by Green Venture, provides incentives, workshops, and outreach to support rain gardens, permeable pavements, rain barrels, and green roofs. In its first year, projects diverted 100,000 L of stormwater, and leveraged over $358,000 in homeowner investment.
(2) In parallel, EnviroCentre delivers Rain Ready Ottawa, offering rebates for downspout redirection, rain gardens, soakaway pits, permeable pavements, and certified landscape designs. With incentives of up to $5,000 per property and training tools such as e-learning, demonstration sites, and rain garden certifications. The program helps homeowners reduce runoff and strengthen neighbourhood-level stormwater resilience.
(3) REEP Green Solutions leads residential green infrastructure programs in Guelph and Kitchener-Waterloo, administering stormwater credits, rain garden funding, and rebates for rainwater harvesting systems. Through program delivery, homeowner coaching, and community engagement, REEP supports municipalities in advancing LID adoption, stormwater performance, and climate-resilient landscaping.
Together, this presentation demonstrates replicable, community-based approaches to stormwater management. Attendees will gain actionable strategies for implementing sustainable stormwater solutions in their communities with the opportunity to ask questions to program leads.
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Alexia Da Poupada, Green Venture
Alexia Da Poupada is the Rain Ready Hamilton Program Lead. She holds a BScH in Marine and Freshwater Biology and a Diploma in Horticulture, with a focus on Landscape Design and Natural Landscapes Management, both from the University of Guelph.
Since 2015, Alexia has worked as a residential and commercial landscaper. She also operates a small business, providing seasonal container designs, landscape designs, and consulting services through climate-positive design. Her education and professional experience have given her extensive expertise in garden maintenance, landscaping, and horticultural topics, including soil health, integrated pest management (IPM), plant identification, and sustainable landscape design.
Stephan Meloche, EnviroCentre
Stephan Meloche is a Project Lead at EnviroCentre, a regional environmental non-profit based in Ottawa. In this role, he collaborates closely with City of Ottawa staff to deliver Rain Ready Ottawa, a program designed to help residents take practical steps on their properties to reduce the harmful impacts of stormwater runoff.
Taylor Ross, Reep Green Solutions
Taylor Ross is currently the Stormwater and Healthy Landscapes Programs Manager at Reep, where she helps property owners take action to create more climate-resilient landscapes. He focuses on nature-based approaches to climate action, and supporting communities through environmental education and engagement. Taylor’s background in environmental studies includes a Bachelor of Environment and a diploma in Environmental Assessment from the University of Waterloo.