Convening for Action in British Columbia

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Melony Burton

    CHRONICLE OF GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE INNOVATION: “We treat our watercourses like the gift that they are. We try to do the best we can with how we grow and develop the community while recognizing those watercourses and protecting an important part of our natural system,” stated Samantha Ward, Drainage Manager with the City of Surrey


    “There are so many benefits associated with watercourses that go well beyond moving water from A to B. This understanding is reflected in our Biodiversity Conservation Strategy. Without our watercourses, Surrey would feel different. It would not be the place that it is. In the uplands, it is the biodiversity piece. And going beyond just setting a corridor to ask, how can we enhance that corridor to maximize the biodiversity value it bring. We have been fortunate to have political support to allow us to try things,” stated Samantha Ward.

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    DOWNLOAD A COPY: “Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Regional Team Approach to Municipal Collaboration Powers Change”– released by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in May 2025


    Political commitment is a theme that weaves through and permeates the stories behind the stories of innovators who have led by example. Without leadership at the top, plus everything else being in alignment, change is unlikely. Staff champions in local government can only carry things so far. Most of all, there must be political commitment. “Elected officials saw rainwater management as something positive we could grab onto and run with. And this helped create champions and build committee support for green infrastructure,” stated former mayor Darrell Mussatto.

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    DOWNLOAD A COPY OF: “Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Keep it simple, practical and implementable” – released by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in February 2024


    Melony Burton’s actions in driving positive change are guided by her no-nonsense approach to keeping it simple, practical and implementable. She is results-based and has a history of accomplishment with three local governments. Her responsibilities encompass the entire infrastructure portfolio. “I have leveraged my career into a position that allows me to have more influence and positive change. This came, in part, from channeling the frustration at being limited in the role I was in. When you are comfortable, you are not motivated to make a change,” explains Melony Burton.

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