Archive:

2012

Partnership for Water Sustainability aligns efforts with Ministry of Environment to advance the “Beyond the Guidebook” initiative

“The Ministry looks forward to aligning efforts with the Partnership to further advance implementation of the “Beyond the Guidebook” initiative. The Ministry’s renewed emphasis on the rainwater management component of Liquid Waste Management Plans has created an opportunity to demonstrate how to integrate regulatory compliance and collaboration,” states Cairine MacDonald.

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Water-Centric Planning in the Okanagan: Water Stewardship Council informed about Water Sustainability Action Plan for BC


“Drought, forest fires and floods in 2003 combined to create a ‘teachable moment’ for change. Because the Water Sustainability Action Plan promotes a ‘water-centric’ approach to community planning, we hope to dovetail our program efforts with those of the Okanagan Basin Water Board, so that together we can turn ideas into action in the Okanagan Basin,” stated Kim Stephens.

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Companion Website: Rainwater Management Community-of-Interest provides the complete story of the new business as usual


“Stormwater suggests there is a problem, whereas rainwater is a resource. In British Columbia, the single function view of traditional ‘stormwater management’ is giving way to the integrated and comprehensive perspective that is captured by the term ‘RAINwater management’,” explains Ted van der Gulik. “The goal in creating the companion Rainwater Management website was to inform British Columbia local governments and practitioners about case studies and the latest advances in the state-of-the-practice.”

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Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia: Framework for Building Partnerships


“Numerous groups and organizations implicitly share a vision for integrated water management. Partnerships hold the key to building broad-based support for improving water management practices, and integrating water management with land use,” states Kim Stephens. “The Action Plan was conceived as a partnership umbrella for on-the-ground initiatives that promote water stewardship across the province, and that also inform Provincial policy through shared responsibility.”

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“Design with Nature” philosophy guides Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia


To understand where we are heading, we need to understand where we have come from. Historical context is important. The ‘design with nature’ paradigm is borrowed from the seminal book by Ian McHarg because it captures the essence of climate change adaptation. His 1969 book Design with Nature pioneered the concept of ecological planning. Adaptation is about responding to the changes that will inevitably occur. Adaptation is at the community level and is therefore about collaboration. Since 2004, the Action Plan has championed the way-of-thinking and acting embodied in the phrase ‘design with nature’.

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Water Sustainability Action Plan evolves into a comprehensive program for ‘Convening for Action’


“Convening for Action is our mantra. When we gather, it is for a purpose. There must be an action item or an outcome. Our aim is to move from talk to action by developing tools, building capacity, and providing training,” states Ray Fung. He was Chair of the Water Sustainability Committee when it developed the Action Plan in partnership with the Province. The Convening for Action vision is that water sustainability in British Columbia will be achieved through implementation of green infrastructure policies, practices and standards.

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Water Sustainability Action Plan provides umbrella for “Convening for Action in British Columbia”


“All of us have attended workshops, seminars and conferences where we simply sit and listen all day. And at the end of the day, we go back to our offices and we carry on doing what we were doing. Convening for action…when we are convening in a forum such as the Showcasing Innovation Series, however, it is not just for the sake of listening. Rather, when we leave the forum  we want to use what we have learned so that we can take action and make a difference in our professional lives. That difference is to change the way we develop land,” stater Ray Fung.

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