DOWNLOAD A COPY OF: “Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Seed change through the power of relationships and networks” – released by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in November 2025
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. Stories are structured in three parts: One-Minute Takeaway (REPRODUCED BELOW), Editor’s Perspective, and the Story Behind the Story.
The edition published on November 18, 2025 featured four thought leaders – Michael Blackstock in British Columbia; Jane Wei-Skillern and Zbigniew Grabowski in the United States; and Serpil Oppermann in Turkey. Reflections by the latter three within this story illustrate how the pioneering Blue Ecology work of Michael Blackstock in bridging the gap between Western and Indigenous perspectives resonates with each of them.
ONE MINUTE TAKEAWAY for the extremely busy reader
In all walks of life, implementing transformative change depends on passionate and dedicated champions. And a network provides leaders with peer support. In British Columbia, the Partnership for Water Sustainability is the legal entity, hub and catalyst for the Living Water Smart Network.
Network Leadership Thought Leader
Jane Wei-Skillern is a thought leader in the field of network leadership. Her sphere of interest, practice, and influence encompasses climate/conservation AND the social impact field.
“I dream of a culture change in climate/conservation or the social impact field more broadly so that people, relationships and community come first even before strategy, linear solutions and institutional self-interest. I am always working toward that and seeking partners to do this work,” says Jane.
Power of relationships in a network context
In this edition of Waterbucket eNews, we also connect the dots between Michael Blackstock and Dr. Serpil Oppermann in Turkey and with Dr. Zbigniew Grabowski in the United States. Their stories within this story illustrate how the Blue Ecology work of Michael Blackstock resonates with other thought leaders.
To Learn More:
Waterbucket eNews stories are structured in three parts: One-Minute Takeaway, Editor’s Perspective and Context for Busy Reader, and the Story Behind the Story. To read the complete 3-part storyline, download a PDF copy of Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Seed change through the power of relationships and networks.
DOWNLOAD A COPY: https://waterbucket.ca/wcp/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/11/PWSBC_Living-Water-Smart_Jane-Wei-Skillern_power-of-a-relational-foundation_2025.pdf