Convening for Action in British Columbia

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Ramin Seifi

    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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    CONVENING FOR ACTION IN METRO VANCOUVER: “More than ever, we need stronger champions and people who believe in what they are doing at heart,” stated Ramin Seifi, former General Manager of engineering and planning with Langley Township in the Metro Vancouver region


    “A presentation many years ago by UBC professor Patrick Condon put me on the path to integration. Patrick’s storytelling made me realize that everything we do has an effect somewhere else. What Patrick said in his presentation was eye-opening and oh so impactful,” recalled Ramin Seifi. “Patrick Condon was ahead of his time in connecting dots. He inspired me to think about HOW we could integrate departments and disciplines in order to have a holistic view of our community; and then, HOW to implement a vision that would be self-fulfilling and self-sustaining over time.”

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    DOWNLOAD A COPY OF: “Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Instill a culture to support champions” – released by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in February 2024


    Ramin Seif is a visionary leader. At the Township of Langley Township, he carved out a one-of-a-kind role as general manager of a portfolio that combined planning and engineering. His dual role was an essential ingredient in enabling organizational integration, horizontally and vertically. “What we do as individuals, as engineers, as community builders to effect change is very much dependent on education, raising awareness, and developing a culture. And I think that is the story of Langley. We developed a culture that future generations can now take forward,” stated Ramin Seifi.

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