Convening for Action in British Columbia

Historically, the Province has enabled local government by providing policy and legal tools in response to requests from local government. Local government can choose to act, or not. A ‘design with nature’ policy framework enables local governments to build and/or rebuild communities in balance with ecology. “Major breakthroughs happen when decision makers in government work with grass-roots visionaries in the community to create desired outcomes. Everyone needs to agree on expectations and how they will work together, and after that each community can reach its goals in its own way,” stated Eric Bonham.

“So many in local government are searching for the magical ‘silver bullet’to resolve watershed issues and challenges. Yet soil, vegetation and trees can do more for our watersheds than decades of planning, consulting and complicated engineering design will ever achieve,” stated Richard Boase. “Our challenge has always been how do we implement this kind of basic change in land development practice. Landscape-based measures using rejuvenated soil, vegetation and urban forest for ‘rainfall capture’ are typically low risk, comparatively low cost, and result in nicer looking and functioning communities.”

“The intention is to learn with and from each other about what we can do to advance community-based efforts in creating a conservation culture in BC and achieving an environmentally sustainable future,” stated Pia Nagpal. “To achieve an environmentally-sustainable future with adequately functioning natural systems will require the involvement and commitment of all citizens.”

The two day GreenLink 2010 conference event attracted an international audience and “linked” the best of the best in Sustainable Communities, Finance, Technology and Government. “It was a real pleasure to take part in the Smarter Water Management panel and in particular to hear about the far-sighted and imaginative approach that the BC Government is taking to identifying, managing and educating people about the province’s water management issues. I am sure that this approach will provide lessons for other areas that seek to address their water management needs,” stated moderator Peter Williams.

“Convening for Action on Vancouver Island was launched in September 2006. A consultation workshop that was held as an adjunct to the “Water in the City Conference” in Victoria provided a timely opportunity to test and validate an approach that can bridge the gap between talk (interest) and action (practice)in advancing a water-centric approach to community development,” reported Kim Stephens. “The goal is to educate stakeholders on how to implement a Design with Nature approach to community development. Because how we develop land determines how we use water and how water runs off the land.”

“The Partnership is the evolution of many initiatives around water sustainability in BC. The Partnership is building on and continuing the work that has gone on before under the umbrella of the Water Sustainability Action Plan. Incorporating the Partnership as a legal entity is a natural outcome. This demonstrated record of collaboration is our strength going forward,” stated Eric Bonham. “We can cross regional boundaries with comfort and draw players together for the benefit of the whole, and as a result, encourage an inclusive sustainability vision for Vancouver Island and beyond.”

“Local governments are demonstrating what can be accomplished through partnerships and collaboration. Moving from awareness to action is ultimately keyed to a ‘regional team approach’ that is founded on shared responsibility,” states John Finnie.

“OKIM is the acronym for Okanagan Irrigation Management,” stated Ted van der Gulilk. “This online tool allows landowners to obtain information on metered water use, calculated theoretical water demand, and land use data for their properties.”

“Our actions show that the Board members believe in sustainability. Through the Urban Containment Boundary, we have avoided urban sprawl and we are doing our best to do what is right; and that is why the RDN Board is both supporting and partnering with CAVI. As a Board, we believe it is our job to protect the quality of life values that attract people to Vancouver Island,” stated Chair Joe Stanhope.

“Who would have thought that we would have progressed so far over the course of my career. We have gone from viewing the environment as being something to be pulled apart…. to the situation today where environment is a major issue in economic equations,” stated Kevin Lagan.