It’s raining, it’s pouring – BC Communities are leading the way
A key challenge in ensuring urban stream health has been getting all the players involved in the community to move in the same direction. The aim is to improve the management of urban watersheds through the implementation of green infrastructure policies and practices,” wrote Deborah Carlson.
In 2006, Mayors and Chairs Focus Group yielded insights about HOW to lead and implement “green infrastructure change” in BC
“What has been lacking is this – written information on green infrastructure from the perspective of elected officials, for elected officials,” said Kim Stephens.
Beyond the Guidebook 2010: Paradigm-shift from ISMP to ‘Integrated Rainwater Management Plan’
Beyond the Guidebook 2010 describes the evolution of an integrated approach, one that envisions achieving water sustainability through implementation of green infrastructure policies and practices. The time is now right to make the break from ‘ISMP’ and instead use ‘IRMP’ – that is, Integrated Rainwater Management Plan,” stated Peter Law.
CONVENING FOR ACTION: Okanagan Basin Water Board and BC Water & Waste Association co-presented “From Rain to Resource: Managing Stormwater in a Changing Climate” (October 2010)
“The overall objective is to move municipal governments beyond conventional stormwater management, and inspire them to use rainwater as an integrated resource. The Rain to Resource workshop will bring together a wide cross-section of interested and knowledgeable individuals and provide an opportunity for them to share their knowledge and experiences. BCWWA is pleased to partner with the OBWB in this initiative,” stated Daisy Foster.
Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia will build on existing Action Plan foundation
“The Partnership will continue to evolve and deliver program elements developed under the umbrella of the Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia,” stated Kim Stephens, Executive Director. “Now, the Partnership provides a legal entity for building on the existing Action Plan foundation and creating a lasting legacy. The Partnership vision is that water sustainability will be achieved through implementation of green infrastructure policies and practice “
OKANAGAN RAIN TO RESOURCE WORKSHOP: Links to downloadable versions of PowerPoint presentations
“The majority of the workshop presentations were delivered by members of the “convening for action” partnership network, and were about case studies that are featured in Beyond the Guidebook 2010,” reports Ted van der Gulik. “British Columbia made a conscious decision to follow an educational rather than prescriptive path to change the way that land is developed and water is used. A ‘design with nature’ policy framework enables local governments to build and/or rebuild communities in balance with ecology.”
The District of North Vancouver’s Bold Vision for a Municipality-Wide Integrated Rainwater Management Plan
Through its Official Community Plan Update, the District is advancing a vision for restoring the rainfall absorption capacity of our watersheds, one property at a time, over time. “To draw attention to the urgent need for action on single-family residential properties, we have created a set of images to illustrate why and how watershed health is at risk,” stated Richard Boase.
“Design with Nature” philosophy guides Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia
Since 2004, the Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia has championed the way-of-thinking and acting embodied in the phrase ‘design with nature’. This 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. His premise is simple: “that the shaping of land for human use ought to be based on an understanding of natural process.”
Beyond the Guidebook 2010: Leading Change in British Columbia
“Released in 2002, Stormwater Planning: A Guidebook for British Columbia is a pioneer application in North America of ‘adaptive management’ in a rainwater management setting. In fact, this is one of the five guiding principles for ISMPs. In the Guidebook, adaptive management means: We change direction when the science leads us to a better way,” stated Kim Stephens.
Beyond the Guidebook 2010: Road Map for Moving from Awareness to Action in BC to Protect Watershed Health
“Major breakthroughs happen when decision makers in government work with grass-roots visionaries in the community to create desired outcomes,” stated Eric Bonham. “Everyone needs to agree on expectations and how all the players will work together, and after that each community can reach its goals in its own way.”