“Local governments are demonstrating what can be accomplished through partnerships and collaboration. Moving from awareness to action is ultimately keyed to a ‘regional team approach’ that is founded on shared responsibility,” states John Finnie.
“Our actions show that the Board members believe in sustainability. Through the Urban Containment Boundary, we have avoided urban sprawl and we are doing our best to do what is right; and that is why the RDN Board is both supporting and partnering with CAVI. As a Board, we believe it is our job to protect the quality of life values that attract people to Vancouver Island,” stated Chair Joe Stanhope.
“Who would have thought that we would have progressed so far over the course of my career. We have gone from viewing the environment as being something to be pulled apart…. to the situation today where environment is a major issue in economic equations,” stated Kevin Lagan.
“As CAVI Chair, John has provided strong and effective leadership for more than three years. His personal/professional credibility has been a key ingredient in establishing the legitimacy of CAVI in the minds of local government politicians and staff. John has been consistent in his vision and input,” stated Jack Bryden, speaking on behalf of BCWWA.
The ‘design with nature’ paradigm is borrowed from the seminal book by Ian McHarg because it captures the essence of climate change adaptation. Adaptation is about responding to the changes that will inevitably occur. Adaptation is at the community level and is therefore about collaboration.
“The 2008 Learning Lunch Series was the first step in building a regional team approach….so that there would be a common understanding and consistent expectations for rainwater management and green infrastructure in the Cowichan Valley. This was followed by the Cowichan Valley Water Balance Model Forum,” stated Kate Miller.
“In recent years rainwater management practices have been developed that can make the 21st century Green City possible – a city that designs rainwater management in concert with natural systems, not at cross purposes,” states Calvin Sanborn.
“In October 2008, the Cowichan Valley Regional District hosted a Water Balance Model Forum that was conducted as a hybrid-training workshop to inform, educate and enable those who wish to apply the Water Balance Model to support a Design with Nature approach to land development,” stated Jay Bradley. Five stories about the Forum process and outcomes are posted on several of the communities-of-interest that comprise the waterbucket.ca website.
“The series comprised three sessions that provided an inter-departmental learning opportunity for collaborative exploration. The series was conducted as a cumulative process, from philosophy to tools,” reports Kate Miller.
“We are using the slogan The New Business As Usual to convey the message that, for change to really occur, practices that until now have been viewed as the exception must become the norm moving forward,” stated Dale Wall.
