Convening for Action in British Columbia

CITY OF SURREY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE JOURNEY: “There are a half-dozen people in the organization who have similar experience or expertise. I think that is part of passing the baton piece; I am able to learn from others and we can solve issues together,” stated Samantha Ward, Drainage Manager

November 14, 2023 - Posted in Convening for Action in Lower Mainland

Note to Reader:

Published by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia, Waterbucket eNews celebrates the leadership of individuals and organizations who are guided by the Living Water Smart vision. The edition published on November 14, 2023 featured Carrie Baron and Samantha Ward. In this era of organizational amnesia and loss of oral history, Carrie Baron and her contemporaries planned ahead, and Carrie successfully passed the intergenerational baton to Samantha Ward as Drainage Manager. This story features both individuals.

Shifting the ecological baseline to replicate a healthy watershed requires boldness

When Carrie Baron retired in 2021, she passed the drainage baton to Samantha Ward.

“Samantha had worked as a drainage consultant for years before joining Surrey in 2014 as an Infrastructure Program Manager. Once she joined Surrey, she saw the bigger picture through the Neighbourhood Concept Plans (NCPs) because she was coordinating all the engineering pieces.”

“When Samantha succeeded me, she already had the bigger picture. So, I did not need to teach her. She has a really good background as a result of reviewing all the ISMPs (i.e., integrated stormwater management plans) completed in the Metro Vancouver region during the first decade. Now it is a matter of where she wants to take things.”

What it means to have a mindset of taking risks and it being okay to fail

“We treat our watercourses like the gift that they are, ” adds Samantha Ward. “We try to do the best we can with how we grow and develop the community while recognizing those watercourses and protecting an important part of our natural system.”

“Other communities may not have the people, resources and budget. So, they may not have the same flexibility that we might have.”

Nature-based Foreshore Enhancements

“We have been fortunate to have political support to allow us to try things. The Living Dyke project on the coast is a current example. We are trying four different concepts. We do not know how well they will perform.”

“The intent is to figure out what works and what does not. Then we can adapt as we move forward. To be successful, you need that work environment where you have the support to be able to try,” concludes Samantha Ward.

To Learn More:

To read the complete story, download a copy of Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Shifting the ecological baseline to replicate a healthy watershed requires boldness. The downloadable version includes a Bonus Feature – the complete interviews with Carrie Baron and Samantha Ward.

DOWNLOAD A COPY: https://waterbucket.ca/wcp/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/PWSBC_Living-Water-Smart_Carrie-Baron-on-green-infrastructure-evolution-in-Surrey_2023.pdf