Pamela Zevit, Coordinator for the South Coast Conservation Program, presented an overview of regional tools to protect species and communities at risk. Her mission is to bring local government representatives together to overcome barriers and challenges.
“Context for the Wetland Workshop was provided by the vision for a Metro Vancouver Regional Green Infrastructure Network. Wetlands are the kidneys of the earth. We are challenging local government by posing this question: Is your municipality doing enough to prevent downstream impacts from rainwater runoff while maintaining healthy aquatic habitat?,” stated Neil Fletcher.
“The Water Sustainability Act recognizes the connection between land use actions and the implications (consequences) for both the water cycle and watershed sustainability in the local government setting. This is important because restoration and protection of watershed health is a priority for local governments in BC,” states Derek Richmond.
“The Partnership applauds the Province for developing the Legislative Proposal with the objective of introducing a final version of the Water Sustainability Act in the legislature in 2014. The Act moves BC beyond a traditional ‘water allocation’ way-of-thinking and acting,” stated Tim Pringle.
“The blueprint sets out a strategic 10-year program and proposes nine winning conditions to ensure success. Recognizing the unique institutional, legal, cultural, and geographic challenges of BC, we provide a clear timeline for successfully moving toward watershed governance to improve ecological resilience across the province,” states Jon O’Riordan.
“We wanted Blue City to be an accessible report, grounded in rigorous research and analysis but presented in the style of a magazine. The report focuses on real measures and solutions of urban water issues that exist today. This is a very tangible report on a common vision and shared innovations,” states Kirk Stinchcombe.
“Our live streaming events in Vancouver, Chilliwack and Quesnel will be a great opportunity to capture some of the action at the Forum for those who could not travel to Duncan, and also to network with a diverse range of stewards and watershed-governance folks from throughout the region,” stated Amy Greenwood.
“We live in a changing world and water needs to be managed and governed in new ways. Watershed governance is one innovative approach. It involves reorganizing our decision-making processes to align with the ecological boundaries of watersheds, instead of political boundaries,” states Oliver Brandes.
