Convening for action at Comox Valley seminar series: "create a picture of the future that we want "
2008 Vancouver Island Learning Lunch Series
Precedent-setting in its scope and approach to building local government capacity, the 2008 Vancouver Island Learning Lunch Seminar Series comprised two sets of three seminars each. The Cowichan Valley Regional District and City of Courtenay hosted the two sets in the Summer and Fall, respectively.
The Learning Lunch curriculum was designed to help local governments determine how they will achieve this over-arching goal statement in Living Water Smart, BC’s water plan:
- By 2012, all land and water managers will know what makes a stream healthy, and therefore be able to help land and water users factor in new approaches to securing stream health and the full range of stream benefits (page 43, Living Water Smart)
At the third in the 2008 Comox Valley Learning Lunch Seminar Series, held in November 2008, Kim Stephens re-capped the first two seminars, reinforced the provincial context for the series, and introduced the learning outcomes for the third in the series. Kim Stephens is the Program Coordinator for the Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia; and the seminar team leader.
Effective Rainwater/Stormwater Management
In providing a series overview, Kim Stephens also referenced the Commentary on Effective Municipal Rainwater/Stormwater Management and Green Infrastructure to Achieve Watershed Health and emphasized its importance/relevance as part of a bottom-up approach to doing business differently.
He reminded the audience about Susan Rutherford’s presentation at Seminar #2, and pointed out the two parts to the Commentary. The first part deals with legal and policy strategies to effect change on the ground, noted Stephens.
“The second part is about establishing watershed-specific runoff targets. This relates back to use of the Water Balance Model as a tool to achieve the outcome,” explained Stephens in making reference to the Cowichan Forum which was held in October 2008.
To Learn More:
For more information, click on Cowichan Water Balance Model Forum introduces “Living Water Smart” application to development community.
Link to YouTube Video
To capture the flavour of presentations at the seminar, video clips have been uploaded to You Tube. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXtWNmTxdXhDsI-sOaAjDhKi67KMTWXyg
In a 10-minute video clip, Kim Stephens reviewed the learning outcomes for each of the three seminars in the series.”A design with nature approach are re-use of resources are key to climate change adaptation,” he stated in conclusion.
PowerPoint Presentation
The YouTube presentation is complemented by a PowerPoint presentation that can be viewed by clicking on Beyond the Guidebook: Create Liveable Communities & Protect Stream Health
Comox Valley Learning Lunch Seminar #3
Seminar #3 provided the springboard for a regional team approach that would ensure consistency in doing business differently to achieve a shared vision, namely: Create Liveable Communities and Protect Stream Health.
To Learn More:
For the complete story about the November 2008 seminar, click on Nature Knows No Boundaries: Moving Toward a Vision for Living Water Smart.
About the Learning Lunch Series
The Learning Lunch Seminar Series promotes a consistent provincial approach to rainwater management and green infrastructure. The program is adding depth to Living Water Smart, and is being implemented through CAVI…which is the acronym for Convening for Action on Vancouver Island. In 2008, participating Vancouver Island local governments represented some 250,000 people.
- The Cowichan Valley series comprised a set of three sessions held during the June – July 2008 period. To learn more, visit: https://waterbucket.ca/viw/category/convening-for-action-in-2008/2008-cowichan-valley-learning-lunch-seminar-series/.
- The Comox Valley series comprised a set of three sessions held during the September – November 2008 period. To learn more, https://waterbucket.ca/viw/category/convening-for-action-in-2008/2008-comox-valley-learning-lunch-seminar-series/.
The Learning Lunch Seminar Series was the first step in building a regional team approach so that there would be a common understanding and consistent messaging regarding on-the-ground expectations for rainwater management and green infrastructure. The Seminar Series was part of the implementation program for Beyond the Guidebook: The New Business As Usual, and was precedent-setting in its scope.
