CHAMPION SUPPORTER: City of North Vancouver (October 2014)
“On the North Shore, people are passionate about their creeks. Protection of salmon habitat and stream health is important to us. We all can make a difference by designing with nature. The change starts with rain gardens. A single rain garden will not make a material difference to stream health. But 1000 rain gardens would be a different story. Restoring stream health requires a long-term commitment,” states Mayor Darrell Mussatto.
Premier Christy Clark announced that Ted van der Gulik inducted into British Columbia Public Service Hall of Excellence (Oct 2014)
“This event marks the 10th year we have been recognizing and celebrating public service achievements that have made real differences in people’s lives,” said Premier Christy Clark. “I wanted to find a special way to honour individuals who have made exceptional and lasting contributions to British Columbia. Now the Hall of Excellence is the highest form of recognition public service employees can strive for.”
CHAMPION SUPPORTER: City of Coquitlam (October 2014)
“There is no question that all of Council relishes Champion Supporter recognition. We strive to make sure that our watersheds work properly. We have a number of committees that are aimed at improving the health of the watershed and the health of the river – everything from sand and gravel operations to the way in which stormwater management takes place adjacent to city streets, the kinds of initiatives we have undertaken and continue to undertake,” stated Mayor Richard Stewart
ACTION PLAN 10-YR CELEBRATION: “The waterbucket.ca website allows our ‘convening for action’ partners to record their history even as they are creating it,” says Mike Tanner, waterbucket.ca Chair
4TH IN A SERIES: “The waterbucket.ca website facilitates communication and integration across initiatives, regions, sectors and disciplines and links these in order to foster development and implementation of ‘Design with Nature’ practices. We share stories about how practitioners can reduce project (and environmental) costs by applying ‘Design with Nature’ principles. We are not sitting on our laurels. Waterbucket.ca allows our ‘convening for action’ partners to record their history even as they are creating it,” stated Mike Tanner.
ACTION PLAN 10-YR CELEBRATION: “Water-centric thinking, planning and doing have become more than just a vision,” says John Finnie, CAVI Past-Chair
3RD IN A SERIES: “When CAVI began, we established a goal that Vancouver Island would be well on its way to water sustainability by 2010. CAVI has moved forward significantly and successfully promoted the message of water sustainability by engaging governments, developers and the community in water-centric thinking, planning and development activities. Water sustainability is now a common thread in discussions and decisions about land development, water use and water conservation,” stated John Finnie.
FLASHBACK TO 2009 (Video): Kim Stephens introduced an international audience to the Water Sustainability Action Plan at the Resilient Cities Conference
“There is growing national and international interest in the British Columbia experience and our lessons learned in moving from talk to action in implementing green infrastructure practices that lead to water sustainability,” explained Kim Stephens. “For this reason, the former Water Sustainability Committee was asked to provide a knowledge-transfer module at Resilient Cities: Urban Strategies for Transition Times in October 2009. This provided us with a platform to tell our story.”
Implementing a New Culture for Urban Watershed Protection and Restoration in British Columbia
Beyond the Guidebook 2010 describes how a ‘convening for action’ philosophy has taken root in British Columbia. Lessons learned by those who have done it can help those who want to move to a ‘design with nature’ strategy. “It is a great resource, well written. Down to earth, and in line with what the Water Sustainability Action Plan speaks about… The new business as usual, connecting the dots and giving useful tools and roadmaps for success. It is an easy read, and captivating with the stories, quotes and pictures,” states Kathy Bishop.
FLASHBACK TO 2003: Genesis for “Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia”
“Sustainable communities are all about choices – choices that become reality very quickly, with lasting consequences. In the years ahead, much will depend on getting the choices right in British Columbia, especially in those communities that are experiencing growth and/or renewal. By choosing to live water smart, communities will be more prepared for climate change and their quality of life will be enhanced. If we can show how to get the water part right, then other parts are more likely to follow ,” states Lynn Kriwoken.
FLASHBACK TO 2009 (video): Ted van der Gulik introduced an international audience to BC’s Water Balance Model at the Resilient Cities Conference
“The Water Balance Model supports new approaches to water management, and will facilitate informed decision-making about climate change adaptation. The Water Balance Model is moving toward an expert system with broad capabilities,” said Ted van der Gulik.
FLASHBACK TO 2009 (videos): Mike Tanner told “The Story of the Waterbucket.ca Website” at the Resilient Cities Conference
“The website is a vehicle for documenting and then sharing what takes place in forums organized under the umbrella of the Water Sustainability Action Plan. We are writing our history as we create it. The website is designed to provide the complete story on integrated land and water management – why, what, where and how,” said Mike Tanner.