“Living Water Smart and Green Communities provided context that helped frame the learning outcomes for the pilot series in the Comox Valley,” stated Derek Richmond. “The series helped local government representatives conceptualize why a consistent approach to rainwater management and green infrastructure is needed and what it means regionally.”
“Over the past two years, Vancouver Island has been the Action Plan pilot region for a bottom-up approach to informing and educating municipal planners, engineers and others. The experience gained through this process has demonstrated the valuable role that Water Bucket plays in delivering information and sharing lessons learned,” stated Mike Tanner,
“The Okanagan Basin Water Board is the hub for people to convene around when the topic is water. Our mandate is to communicate and coordinate. In the process, we are tapping into a huge reservoir of volunteers. This is what creates the energy, the will and the momentum to do business differently in the valley,” stated Anna Warwick Sears. “The OBWB provides a forum for the member local governments to address regional service delivery matters and issues.”
In his blueprint for action, Vic Derman points the way to a more sustainable future. “The Natural City challenges traditional approaches and sets the goal of creating a region that is environmentally sustainable, socially equitable and economically sound,” he states. Vic Derman calls the project “THE NATURAL CITY” to reflect the dramatic shift in direction it demands. “Three ‘lenses’ are offered as a way to scrutinize and direct the choices we make.”
“A provincial policy framework is now in place that enables municipalities to ‘do business differently’ in order to design their communities to live in harmony with water,” stated Lynn Kriwoken. “By living water smart, communities will be more prepared for climate change and their quality of life will be enhanced. The ‘design with nature’ paradigm captures the essence of climate change adaptation.”
“A distinguishing feature of the Penticton Forum will be the audience interaction segment that is part of each module. We are characterizing them as Town Hall Sharing Sessions to underscore that we are going beyond question and answer segments,” stated Ron Smith. “Each Town Hall segment will be preceded by context presentations that are intended to inform and stimulate.”
The purpose of the forum is to showcase how partnerships, collaboration, innovation and integration are helping local governments in three regions make the best choices for sustainable, healthy and vibrant communities. “The Water Sustainability Action Plan provides local governments and practitioners with the tools and experience to better manage land and water resources,” states Ted van der Gulik.
The forum program comprised four modules built around the creating our future and doing business differently themes. “Since 2004, Convening for Action in British Columbia has evolved into a ‘made in BC’ approach and process for moving from awareness to action. The Convening for Action vision is that water sustainability in British Columbia will be achieved through implementation of green infrastructure policies, practices and standards,” states Ray Fung.
“A key message in Living Water Smart is that green development makes sense. New thinking about development leads to new benefits. These include more green spaces, more water and fish in the streams, improved community vitality, reduced demand for water, and reduced expenditure on infrastructure,” stated Lynn Kriwoken.
“The mandate of the Ministry of Community Development is to foster partnerships, collaboration, innovation and integration through the program elements that comprise the Green Communities Project. The goal is to build
capacity that will result in sustainable, healthy and vibrant communities,” stated Karen Rothe.
