Category:

The REFBC has been making grants in support of the health and resilience of natural freshwater systems for many years. “Freshwater sustainability is making choices that protect freshwater resources now and in the future,” states Jack Wong. “In a 2014 public opinion poll we commissioned, we found that 93% of British Columbians view water as our most precious natural resource. Water connects us to prosperity, quality of life and a sense of ‘home’.”

Loved by audiences across Canada for making complex scientific issues understandable, meaningful, and fun, Bob McDonald has been a fixture in radio and television broadcasting for more than 30 years. “A global perspective reminds us of the limited availability of fresh water on the planet, a vital life sustaining resource that demands a raised level of consciousness and commitment,” says Bob McDonald.

“FLOW AND GROW is structured as four modules and is cascading – from high-level visioning to ground-level applications. Each module has a learning objective. Adaptation to a changing climate is a thread that runs through all the modules,” states Kim Stephens. “Climate change, water security, population demand and food security issues will be discussed in grounded terms by a team of 11 expert inter-disciplinary presenters. Their objective is to seed a conversation that will ripple through time.”

“This workshop series has proven to be an innovative initiative; it brings together the individuals involved in the conservation and long term management of water with those that rely on having water readily available to produce food and maintain green-spaces,” notes Kirby Ell. “Having all the stakeholders in the same room allows each the opportunity to understand the others’ perspectives. It also creates a collaborative environment.”

The workshop program is structured as four modules and is cascading – from high-level visioning to ground-level applications. Adaptation to a changing climate is a unifying theme. Both the urban and agricultural perspectives are represented. “The workshop will explore the role of water from the global to the local. The particular journey facing the Okanagan Basin includes the impact of climate change, water security, population demand and food security issues,” states Ted van der Gulik.

“Hydrologists are encouraged to embrace the companion Blue Ecology water cycle that is meant to enhance Western science’s hydrological cycle by providing a holistic cultural context. Hydrologists and water managers could also communicate complex climate change impacts to the public, using common sense terms. Hydrologists and water managers can use the hydrological and Blue Ecology cycles to help explain how and why the climate is changing,” wrote Michael D. Blackstock.

“On November 29, 2016, we are co-sponsoring a timely and vital workshop in Kelowna that will address both immediate and long term water security issues in the Okanagan Valley,” states Eric Bonham. “The significance of the findings from the workshop will be of equal importance and applicability to other areas within the province and beyond, given the focus is on the impacts of climate change and the need to plan now for a water sustainable future.”