“The journey to a water-resilient future would be guided by Cathedral Thinking,” states Kim Stephens. “The concept dates back to medieval times. It aptly describes the inter-generational commitment that would be required to achieve a ‘design with nature’ vision – one that integrates water balance solutions into land use decisions, and restores ecosystem values.”
Bob Sandford, water champion and author, was the keynote speaker for the workshop that was built around the AGM. “After a period of relative hydro-climatic stability, changes in the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere have resulted in the acceleration of the global hydrologic cycle with huge implications for every region of the world and every sector of the global economy,” stated Bob Sandford.
The Vancouver Sun’s Larry Pynn covered the 2015 Annual General Meeting. In his front-page report, Pynn wrote that “British Columbians are fooling themselves if they think feel-good market gardens are the solution to making the province less reliant on outside food services.”
“We are particularly proud of what we are facilitating via the Georgia Basin Inter-Regional Education Initiative. Launched in 2012, the IREI is a partnership of five regional districts representing 75% of BC’s population. The IREI is enabling ‘sharing & learning’ through inter-regional collaboration. Everyone benefits. Why reinvent the wheel when you can adapt what others are successfully doing?,” stated Kim Stephens.
“CAVI is one of the Partnership’s key programs involving practitioners, and is evolving. This has been a year of distinctive advancement in the general premise of ‘we get it, now let’s implement it’ approach as it relates to asset management and ecological balance. While the principles are well understood, the hard link of proof of concept has been, until now, elusive,” wrote Derek Richmond, CAVI Chair.
“The Province passed the new Water Sustainability Act in 2014 and is currently working on implementation. Groundwater is one of the first initiatives being tackled by the province. It is estimated that 20,000 existing wells will be required to be licensed. The Partnership is building an online agriculture water licensing tool for the province. The licensing tool will use results from the Agriculture Water Demand Model,” reported Ted van der Gulik.
“The Partnership has both voting and non-voting categories of membership. Non-voting members are Associate Members. Anyone with an interest in water sustainability or green infrastructure can join as a non-voting member just by going to waterbucket.ca and registering online. Since September 2012, over 380 individuals have signed up, with 100 people joining in the past year alone,” reported Peter Law.
The Partnership’s Annual Report provides a synopsis of program activities and accomplishments over the past year, as well as a look ahead to 2016 and beyond. “In 2015, we are celebrating the 5th anniversary of the incorporation of the Partnership as a legal entity. We are building on a foundation that was laid more than a decade earlier. We embrace shared responsibility. We are excited by what can be accomplished through collaboration and partnerships,” states Kim Stephens.
“The IIABC is collaborating with the Partnership to build a foundation for future change, This collaboration will help us align our industry education and certification offerings that include efficient irrigation systems. This will also assist us in supporting our membership with sustainable irrigation practices. We all need to be accountable for our water resource. With shared tools and programs; we can collaborate to make a difference,” stated Keesha Rosario.
“Since the launch of CAVI in 2006, the primary focus has been information sharing and education. The depth of experience within the CAVI group has enabled it to intuitively know what works and why. It is hoped that we will be able to move that success to another level. By building on the essential concept of thinking and planning on a watershed basis, timing is right to integrate and expand this concept as the foundation of the ‘vision’ for Vancouver Island,” wrote Derek Richmond.
