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1ST IN A SERIES: “The drought, forest fires and floods that British Columbia experienced in 2003 created a teachable moment for change in the way we view water in this province. Over the past decade, we have showcased innovation, developed tools and provided training, and collaborated with local governments to develop talent and build capacity in the Vancouver Island and Lower Mainland regions,” stated Raymond Fung.

In February 2014, presentation of a Progress Report to the Capital Regional District created the opportunity for Councillor Judith Cullington to state that: “For many year, I have been following your work; and I have seen you build up this massive resource inventory of all kinds of information related to watersheds and a watershed-based approach to community planning.”

“Sustainable Service Delivery integrates all the principles of Asset Management. It understands the value of land-use planning; and it understands the impacts that land-use planning has on service delivery. It also integrates the ‘design with nature’ philosophy,” states Derek Richmond.

An advocate of the “top down bottom up” principle of engagement, Tim Pringle has been a consistent champion for local involvement and recognizes the value of stewardship groups and community groups in working towards a common vision based upon universal values.

Known for his initiative and creative ideas and that invaluable quality of recognizing the limitations of government policy, Ted van der Gulik has always been prepared within the system to ‘think outside the pipe’ and find solutions for the common good, and as a result, has provided an incredible public service to British Columbia.

The methodology is a pragmatic outcome of a ‘design with nature’ guiding philosophy that had its genesis more than two decades ago. “Looking back over the past 20-plus years, if the Stewardship Series was the first wave, the work of UBC’s James Taylor Chair on Sustainable Urban Landscapes was the second, and the Water Balance Approach is the third,” states Erik Karlsen.

“We wanted Blue City to be an accessible report, grounded in rigorous research and analysis but presented in the style of a magazine. The report focuses on real measures and solutions of urban water issues that exist today. This is a very tangible report on a common vision and shared innovations,” states Kirk Stinchcombe.

“The Case Profile describes how the City of Coquitlam has evolved an effective and adaptable approach to watershed-based community planning. By telling the stories of those who are spearheading changes in practice, this helps other local governments eliminate the ‘disconnect between information and implementation’ that may otherwise hold them back,” states Kim Stephens.

“The Leadership Team comprises Directors and non-Directors. For more than a decade, the team has been responsible for developing and delivering elements of the Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia. This provincial initiative provides an umbrella for bringing together partnerships and convening for action,” reports Peter Law.

Jim Dumont and Dr. Charles Rowney are the Engineering Applications Authority and Scientific Authority, respectively. The are responsible for constant improving the Water Balance Model to meet the needs of local government.