TIER ONE CHAMPION FOR AN ECOSYSTEM-BASED APPROACH IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: “When I reflect on the history of ‘green infrastructure’ in BC, much of what has transpired over the past three decades can be traced back to who was in the room on October 10, 1997 at the UBCM workshop in Richmond,” stated Kim Stephens, Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC
Note to Reader:
Published by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia, Waterbucket eNews celebrates the leadership of individuals and organizations who are guided by the Living Water Smart vision. Stories are structured in three parts: One-Minute Takeaway, Editor’s Perspective, and the Story Behind the Story.
The edition published on October 28, 2025 featured the third installment of the Chronicle of Green Infrastructure Innovation in Metro Vancouver. Part C covers the period 1997 through 2005. It tells the story of what led up to publication of Stormwater Planning: A Guidebook for British Columbia in 2002, and the impact of what followed in the wake of publication.
Ninety-eight pages long, Part C is a sweeping narrative weaves quotable quote to bring to life an era. It is included as an attachment to of Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Leaps of faith and calculated risks – convening for action in Metro Vancouver.
Erik Karlsen, Ministry of Municipal Affairs
“When I reflect on the history of ‘green infrastructure’ in BC, much of what has transpired over the past three decades can be traced back to who was in the room on October 10, 1997 at the UBCM workshop in Richmond. When I look back, I see that as the genesis moment for the vision to reconnect hydrology and stream ecology,” wrote Kim Stephens, author of the Green Infrastructure Chronicle and Executive Director with the Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC.
“Dipak was not shy. He asked Erik, Bill and me whether we would organize a workshop to inform and educate developers in Chilliwack. So, we did. It was a team effort with BC Environment and Federal Fisheries. And that started all of us down a pathway of collaboration that was career-defining.”
Convening for action in the Georgia Basin
“My collaboration with Erik Karlsen played out in multiple ways during the period 1997 through 2005. High profile among these was Patrick Condon’s vision for the Headwaters Project in East Clayton.”
“Patrick wanted to demonstrate a more sustainable way to build new communities. In the summer of 1998, Erik brought the three of us together for a meeting at the Simon Fraser University campus in downtown Vancouver. Headwaters was still very much at the idea stage. I left the meeting committed to help Patrick bring the idea to life.”
“That’s the kind of magic spell that Erik Karlsen cast when he brought people together. When Erik asked you to get involved in an initiative, of course you said yes!”
To Learn More:
Waterbucket eNews stories are structured in three parts: One-Minute Takeaway, Editor’s Perspective and Context for Busy Reader, and the Story Behind the Story. To read the complete 3-part storyline, download a PDF copy of Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Leaps of faith and calculated risks – convening for action in Metro Vancouver.
DOWNLOAD A COPY: https://waterbucket.ca/wcp/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/10/PWSBC_Living-Water-Smart_Leaps-of-Faith-and-Calculated-Risks-Part-C_2025.pdf