Convening for Action in British Columbia

A panel session created a timely opportunity to compare an American top-down prescriptive approach versus a Canadian bottom-up educational approach. Kim Stephens introduced this perspective: “A decade ago, British Columbia and Washington State had the same science and a common understanding of what it meant. And we agreed on the need to tackle land use because that is where changes in hydrology are created. The point of departure for rainwater management and green infrastructure was the same. A decade later, are we on diverging paths? For us, designing with nature has become a rallying cry.”

“CAVI will move ‘green value' from concept to practice, and encourage a ‘design with nature' way of thinking in local government decision processes,” stated Graeme Bethell.

Nature’s Revenue Streams is a 3-year public-private pilot project, based in Saanich BC. “The project will show how urban development can be used as an opportunity to improve watershed and stream health, build/restore aquatic habitat and reduce infrastructure costs,” stated Patrick Lucey.

Hosted by the Fraser Basin Council, the workshop dealt with adaptive decision-making, water management and climate change; and featured a panel session comprising four speakers representing diverse fields of thought. “The key is to focus on what you want to do. Because many factors are in play, the objective is to build in resiliency to address risk,” stated Kim Stephens.

“It was an interesting mix of planners and engineers. This provided a range of perspectives, from community planning to on-the-ground utility maintenance. Roundtable sessions like this are essential for building understanding,” observed Peter Law (Ministry of Environment).

“We started the day with high expectations that the Beyond the Guidebook Seminar would prove to be a transformational event, and we exceeded those expectations as the day unfolded. Further, my prediction is that this event will become part of our green infrastructure folklore,” stated Kim Stephens. “A key is that those who were there come away inspired and start doing things differently in their day jobs as a result of what they learned by being part of the moment.”

Tim Pringle stated that,”Residents of growth communities think of themselves as being rural places, but people want urban services. How does a community weigh the benefits and liabilities of change driven by demand for land use? What will determine long-term wellbeing for a community or region when nature is becoming commoditized?”

“This phrase captures a common element in our day-to-day work regardless of the kind of work we are engaged in. Fundamentally, most of what we do is tied to trying to overcome the challenges presented by our communities whether as a municipal employee, consultant or supplier. Events like this conference are opportunities to learn. It is the sharing of experience that moves us toward creating better and more sustainable communities,” stated Jim Levin.

“Elected political leadership throughout the Okanagan is now more engaged than it has ever been in history in water stewardship and water management planning. There is no doubt that this new approach to water stewardship and public engagement will bring many positive results, setting the course for change in the Okanagan, for decades to come,” stated Tom Siddon.

“Under the umbrella of the Water Sustainability Action Plan, Convening for Action pilot programs in the South Okanagan, Vancouver Island and Greater Vancouver are promoting water-centric approaches to community planning and land development,” stated Barry Penner, BC Minister of the Environment.