Don’t Be At It
Presented by HeritageNL
Recorded
July 3, 2025 11:00 am
Introducing Tomorrow’s Towns—a forward-thinking placemaking program from Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador. Funded by the Government of Canada through the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) SDG Grant Program, this project empowers your community to become more sustainable, resilient, and vibrant.
By connecting you with strategic partners and expert guidance, the program helps you save valuable time often spent on research, fact-finding, feasibility, and funding applications for various projects, as well as provides valuable learning through webinars and training programs.
With five key streams, Tomorrow’s Towns supports you in launching impactful projects and seizing new opportunities, while also recognizing and rewarding your efforts to strengthen and give back to your community.
Sign up to become a Tomorrow's Town today and get started on your first stream!
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A community’s identity is deeply rooted in its history, culture, and artistic expression. The Heritage & Arts stream is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the unique traditions and stories that define Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns.
The way a town is designed and built has a profound impact on the health and well-being of its residents. The Healthy Built Environment stream promotes community planning and infrastructure development that prioritizes accessibility, active living, and social connectivity.
Access to safe, nutritious, and locally sourced food is a fundamental pillar of a thriving community. The Food Security stream supports municipalities in building resilient food systems that reduce reliance on imported goods and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Newfoundland and Labrador’s natural landscapes—its rugged coastlines, vast forests, and freshwater ecosystems—are among its most valuable assets. The Environmental Stewardship stream focuses on the responsible management and protection of these natural resources to ensure they remain healthy and accessible for generations to come.
The impact of climate change is becoming increasingly evident in Newfoundland and Labrador, with rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and more frequent extreme weather events threatening communities. The Climate Action stream equips municipalities with the knowledge and tools needed to mitigate these risks and adapt to a changing environment.
Tomorrow’s Towns is a program available to any member of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador in good standing.
No. Tomorrow’s Towns is an MNL program offered through your regular membership fee.
Municipalities who participate in Tomorrow’s Towns join a network of partners and experts who can help you complete projects in your town. You also receive assistance in facilitating meetings with these partners; webinars relevant to your proposed project; and access to training designed to bolster your municipal council and staff’s skill sets.
Perched at the edge of the Avalon Peninsula, where the waters of St. Mary’s Bay meet the untamed coastline, Branch is a town carved by salt, sea, and centuries of tradition. It is a place where nature’s drama plays out in waves crashing against rocky shores and in skies painted by the North Atlantic winds. In Branch, the power of the ocean is both a companion and a way of life.
The people of Branch are as rugged and welcoming as the cliffs that line their coast. Rooted in a proud history of fishing, storytelling, and survival, the town holds tight to its heritage even as it looks forward to the future. Here, culture is not just preserved—it’s lived, in songs sung around kitchen tables and in festivals that bring the community together in laughter, dance, and reflection.
While Branch may be small in population, it boasts a landscape of towering beauty. The ocean provides more than just sustenance; it inspires a way of life that values connection, courage, and deep respect for the elements. Walking along its beaches or hiking the coastal trails, one can’t help but feel the presence of those who came before—their spirits embedded in the rocks, the sea spray, and the sturdy homes that have withstood countless storms.
Branch is a living tribute to the resilience of Newfoundland’s coastal communities. It’s a place where every breeze carries a story, every wave echoes history, and every visitor is welcomed with warmth and wonder. Whether you’re drawn by the scenery or the spirit of its people, Branch will leave a lasting impression on your heart.
