BACKGROUNDER SERIES ON SUSTAINABLE WATERSHED SYSTEMS: Comox Valley Eco-Asset Management Symposium – Discovering Nature’s Infrastructure Potential (released in February 2017)

Note to Reader:

“Sustainable Watershed Systems, through Asset Management” is based on this premise: natural watershed systems are infrastructure assets – we must manage and protect them as such.

In the article, titled Comox Valley Eco-Asset Management Symposium Discovering Nature’s Infrastructure Potentialbackground information is presented on the Symposium purpose: build local knowledge and interest in how to apply eco-asset management principles at the local level.

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To protect watershed health, engineered infrastructure ought to fit into natural systems, rather than the other way around

The Comox Valley on Vancouver Island is facing a long list of challenges as more frequent and intense winter storms and summer droughts overwhelm engineered infrastructure and natural systems (that have been degraded over time by land use activities). It is feast AND famine!

Now, the four local governments in the valley are facing a total cost approaching $200 million for proposed engineered infrastructure solutions to these problems.

On March 14-15th 2017, the 22 environmental and ratepayer groups comprising the Comox Valley Conservation Partnership hosted a symposium to explore less expensive ‘design with nature’ solutions. Sponsors included the City of Courtenay, Comox Valley Regional District, Village of Cumberland, Town of Comox and Real Estate Foundation of BC.

The symposium spotlight was on the potentially powerful and cost-effective role that ecosystem services can play in an infrastructure strategy. Kim Stephens, keynote speaker, presented the vision for Sustainable Watershed Systems, through Asset Management.

To Learn More:

Download Comox Valley Eco-Asset Management Symposium Discovering Nature’s Infrastructure Potential.

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