Convening for Action in British Columbia

DOWNLOAD A COPY OF: “Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Hope and optimism do make a difference” – released by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in March 2024

March 19, 2024 - Posted in ...2024, PUBLICATIONS & DOWNLOADS

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 March 19, 2024 featured Zoe Norcross-Nu’u, watershed protection coordinator with the Comox Lake Regional District. She reflects on her experience as a college instructor in Hawaii in the 2000s and how it has influenced her thinking on motivating changes in behaviour through hope and optimism rather than doom-and-gloom.

Hope and optimism do make a difference

Zoe Norcross-Nu’u, a marine scientist who previously taught at the University of Hawaii Maui College, is in her second decade with Comox Valley Regional District after joining in 2012. Her responsibilities revolve around the Comox Lake Watershed Protection Plan which was completed in 2016.

Zoe is the watershed protection coordinator and has been involved since the plan’s inception. Watershed protection is her passion. “My work and my recreation take place in the same place. I feel so fortunate to be able to work in these places that mean so much to me,” emphasizes Zoe Norcross-Nu’u. She also oversees the Connected by Water program.

Comox Lake Watershed Protection Plan

“Comox Lake provides drinking water for 45,000 people in the Comox Valley. The essence of the story is that the Watershed Advisory Group delivered a plan that is fully implementable.”

“The watershed plan is truly a collaborative outcome. And most importantly, it is currently fully funded, although without a dedicated watershed service, this funding depends on the support of our elected officials. Because the advisory group represented a broad variety of interests, the plan has a very high level of community support.”

“The watershed plan is a living document. We made that clear upfront. We also committed to revisiting the content as necessary to keep the plan relevant and to address changing conditions. In 2022, we updated the plan.”

“The risk ratings are a big part of the plan because they dictate priorities and how they are addressed. For this reason, the document has become really important in the decision process.”

TO LEARN MORE:

To read the complete story, download a copy of Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Hope and optimism do make a difference.