Ted van der Gulik receives Bridge Building Award from BC Water & Waste Association
Visionary and Innovator
At the 2009 Annual Conference of the British Columbia Water & Waste Association (BCWWA), Ted van der Gulik of the Ministry of Agriculture & Lands received the Bridge Building Award. This award recognizes individuals who help build linkages 
between BCWWA and other groups.
“Ted is a visionary and an innovator. He says what he means, he means what he says, and he makes things happen. His success is founded on the principle of asking for forgiveness rather than begging for permission. While others talk, Ted does,” stated Mike Nolan, BCWWA President.
“His accomplishments are many and his innovative leadership encompasses provincial tools such as the Water Balance Model, the Water Bucket Website, and the Irrigation Scheduling Calculator. Furthermore, his creative work in the Okanagan regarding ‘state of the art’ irrigation practices and his many other achievements in agriculture over the years establishes him as a true leader in the water industry.”
“A 1977 graduate of the University of British Columbia, his career in government with the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands spans almost 30 years. He is the Senior Engineer with the Sustainable Agriculture Management Branch. When the topic is water in BC, invariably it seems that Ted van der Gulik is at the table.”
“Ted brings energy to everything that he does, and he inspires those around him. He is the epitome of the old adage: If you want something done, ask a busy person.”
“Ted will look into the future….identify the desired outcome…and then issue this challenge: Okay, what steps will we take now so that we can get there?”
“In the 1980s, Ted had a vision for the Okanagan. He set out to develop and implement the tools and the means for farmers to make informed water use decisions in the agricultural sector. His dedication and eternal optimism has brought that vision to fruition.”
“In 2001, Ted saw the potential power of the Water Balance Model as a decision support tool for doing business differently. As Chair of the Inter-Governmental Partnership, he has been the steady hand at the tiller as the original spreadsheet calculator has evolved into a web-based and pan-Canadian tool that is receiving international recognition.”
“The Water Balance Model, for example, exemplifies both partnerships and integration. The Inter-Governmental Partnership chaired by Ted encompasses four levels of government within BC: local, regional, provincial and federal. It is also inter-provincial in scope. The tool itself provides and promotes a common language for a diversity of professions, thereby providing an on-the-ground framework for integration and a watershed-based approach to rainwater management.”
“A founding member in 1992 and a Vice-Chair, Ted has been a key player in the success of the BCWWA Water Sustainability Committee and the Water Sustainability Action Plan. Delivered by the Water Sustainability Committee, the Action Plan is providing practitioners with the tools and experience to do business differently.”
“In closing, Ted’s bold vision and leadership makes him one of a kind.”