DOWNLOAD A COPY OF: “Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Water Sustainability and Asset Management are inextricably linked” – released by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in November 2022
Note to Reader:
Waterbucket eNews celebrates the leadership of individuals and organizations who are guided by the Living Water Smart vision. The edition published on November 15, 2022 honoured Wally Wells, the founding Executive Director of Asset Management BC. Over the past decade, alignment of missions has been key to elevating Water Sustainability and Asset Management as top-of-mind priorities for local governments.
Water Sustainability and Asset Management are inextricably linked
In the “story behind the story” part of this article, we present an essay that is structured in two parts. Wally Wells of Asset Management BC is the thread that interweaves between the two parts.
In the first decade of the 2000s, Wally Wells was one of four champions whose combined efforts drove creation of “municipal asset management” in Canada. Two weeks ago, his peers honoured Wally Wells with the inaugural Asset Management Champion of BC Award.
Top-of-mind priorities for local government:
Our “story behind the story” spotlight is on what is achievable in the local government setting when individuals and organisations commit to a shared vision and mission, truly collaborate in good faith, and align their efforts for the common good. The term “setting” envelops both the local government and stream stewardship sectors. Through his actions, Wally Wells bridges the two.
Over the past decade, alignment of missions has been key to elevating Water Sustainability and Asset Management as top-of-mind priorities for local governments. The two priorities are inextricably linked, and the work of Asset Management BC and the Partnership for Water Sustainability is complementary in facilitating peer-to-peer learning across boundaries.
THE “FAB FOUR” HISTORIC STORYTELLERS > Four icons of asset management in Canada (from right to left) are Konrad Siu, Reg Andres, Guy Felio and Wally Wells. At the Asset Management BC Conference this month, they shared their Aha Moments and reflections on the history and future, respectively, of asset management in Canada. Their storytelling was streamed live across the country by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).
Context for “the story behind the story”
Wally Wells is the founding Executive Director of Asset Management BC. He served in that role from 2010 through 2022. Wally is passing the baton. Thus, his intergenerational role going forward is framed as Asset Management Master, Mentor and Coach.
In 2017, Wally Wells connected the Partnership for Sustainability with NALT, which is the acronym for the Nanaimo & Area Land Trust. Wally did this because he is a NALT Director. His inciting action instigated what has evolved into Watershed Moments, the Vancouver Island Symposia Series on Water Stewardship in a Changing Climate.
Chaired by Paul Chapman who is the NALT Executive Director, the interagency Watershed Moments team is working towards Water Reconciliation. The pathway to get there is via Michael Blackstock’s Blue Ecology. This is a water-first approach to interweaving of Indigenous knowledge and Western science.
Recognition of Wally Wells (centre) of as a Lifetime Member of the Partnership for Water Sustainability. The presentation by Kim Stephens (left) took place at the Asset Management BC Conference held in Richmond on November 2nd.
TO LEARN MORE:
To read the complete story published on November 15th, 2022, download a PDF copy of Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Water Sustainability and Asset Management are inextricably linked.
