DOWNLOAD BEYOND THE GUIDEBOOK 2010: “It is captivating with the stories, quotes and pictures,” stated Kathy Bishop, Curriculum Chair for Leadership BC – Central Vancouver Island (June 2010)

Peter Andzans quote

Land Development & Watershed Protection Can Be Compatible

In 2002, Stormwater Planning: A Guidebook for British Columbia advanced this provocative premise: land development and watershed protection can be compatible. This radical shift in thinking resulted from recognition of HOW a science-based understanding could bridge the gap between high-level policy objectives and site design practices.

Released in June 2010, ‘Beyond the Guidebook 2010′ connects the dots between RAINwater Management and Drought Management and shows how to achieve water sustainability through outcome-oriented urban watershed plans.

“It is a great resource, well written. Down to earth, and in line with what the  Water Sustainability Action Plan speaks about… the new business as usual, connecting the dots and giving useful tools and roadmaps for success. It is an easy read, and captivating with the stories, quotes and pictures,” states Kathy Bishop, Curriculum Chair for Leadership BC – Central Vancouver Island.

 

To Learn More:

Download a copy of Beyond the Guidebook 2010: Implementing a New Culture for Urban Watershed Protection and Restoration in British Columbia.

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“Beyond the Guidebook 2010″ – Preface

“In October 1997, a focus group workshop convened by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities set in motion a chain of outcomes that culminated in release of Stormwater Planning: A Guidebook for British Columbia in June 2002,” state the six “Convening for Action” Chairs in the preface to “Beyond the Guidebook 2010″.

Catalyst for Change

“Looking back, the Guidebook was a catalyst for change that has resulted in British Columbia achieving international recognition as a leader in implementing a green infrastructure approach to rainwater management. In 2002, the Guidebook advanced this premise: land development and watershed protection can be compatible. In 2002, this represented a radical shift in thinking.”

“Five years later, the evolution in our thinking was captured in Beyond the Guidebook: Context for Rainwater Management and Green Infrastructure in British Columbia. Released in June 2007, this succinct guidance document foreshadowed Living Water Smart, BC’s Water Plan and the Green Communities Initiative, both of which were launched in 2008.”

Alignment

“Living Water Smart and Green Communities together establish an over-arching provincial policy framework. There is now clear guidance for aligning local actions with provincial and regional goals to ‘design with nature’ so that we create greener communities, live water smart and prepare for climate change.”

“A decade ago, we made a conscious decision to follow an educational rather than prescriptive path in BC. We realized that changing the way we develop land depends on establishing higher expectations and challenging practitioners to embrace shared responsibility.”

“We branded this as The New Business As Usual. We knew it would take time to change the culture. We now have the tools and the case study experience to ‘design with nature’.”

“We believe that BC is now at a tipping point. Implementation of a new culture for urban watershed protection and restoration is within our grasp. Beyond the Guidebook 2010 sets the stage for development that is in balance with ecology.”

THIS IS OUR STORY.