FLASHBACK TO 2019: “We have moved beyond continuing education solely for the purpose of professional development. We are exploring what implementation of regional policy means on the ground,” stated Glenn Westendorp when he reflected on the collaborative framework for the Comox Valley Learning Lunch Seminar Series
Note to Reader:
Glenn Westerndorp retired from local government in 2019 as Superintendent of Public Works with the Town of Comox. From 2008 onwards, he was an enthusiastic player in the CAVI-Convening for Action on Vancouver Island initiative as a member of the CAVI-Comox Valley Regional Team. In 2011, he was Chair of the Comox Valley Learning Lunch Seminar Series, a precedent-setting initiative for peer-based education.
Recognition of Glenn Westendorp as a Lifetime Member of the Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia
“In recognition of Glenn’s decade of commitment to promoting the vision for achieving water sustainability through implementation of green infrastructure policies and practices, we have honoured Glenn as a Lifetime Member of the Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia,” stated Derek Richmond, Partnership Director and CAVI Past-Chair, when the announcement was made in June 2019.
“Glenn’s enthusiastic participation CAVI-Convening for Action on Vancouver Island initiative helped the Partnership demonstrate the benefits of the ‘regional team approach’ in the Comox Valley. His support on behalf of the Town of Comox then helped us to lay the foundation for successfully implementing the Georgia Basin Inter-Regional Education Initiative (IREI), commencing in 2012.”
“Significantly, Comox Valley activities and successes have had ripple effects in stimulating interest and action in the vision for Sustainable Watershed Systems, through Asset Management in other regions of Vancouver Island and the province,” added Kim Stephens, Executive Director.
Quotable Quote:
“I am sincerely grateful for the recognition that the members of Partnership have extended to me,” responded Glenn Westendorp. “Water is a resource that will only become more vital as our cities and towns continue to grow and crowd out other natural attributes like our forests and wetlands.”
“I truly believe that it is in our long term interest to develop in a manner that will retain the most important of these natural attributes and mimic them in our development standards where ever possible. In this way we create our best chance to reduce the more immediate effects of flooding and serve the longer term goal of providing water for the generations that will follow us.”
Comox Valley Regional Team at the 2011 State of the Island Summit organized by the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA). Glenn Westendorp is third from the left.
Glenn Westendorp speaking at the 2011 VIEA State of the Island Summit
Asset Management for Sustainable Service Delivery
The 2011 State of the Island Economic Summit in Nanaimo included four pre-Summit sessions. One of these was hosted by CAVI in association with the VIEA Sustainability Task Force.
Branded as a ‘Forum within the Summit’, the focus of this session was on solutions to the ‘infrastructure liability’ challenge confronting all local governments. The Comox Valley regional team told their story and provided a context for open dialogue about challenges and solutions. The Comox Valley is a provincial demonstration region for a regional and replicable approach to Asset Management for Sustainable Service Delivery.
“The four Comox Valley local governments and the Comox Valley Land Trust are ‘convening for action’ around a water-centric approach to land development. A desired outcome is that water sustainability would be achieved through implementation of green infrastructure practices. We believe this can be accomplished through sharing of experiences and pooling of resources to achieve more with less,” reported Glenn Westendorp, Chair of the 2011 Comox Valley Learning Lunch Seminar Series.
“Comox Valley local governments are aligning efforts, building leadership capacity and striving for consistency. We have moved beyond continuing education solely for the purpose of professional development. We are exploring what implementation of regional policy means on the ground. All those involved in land development have a role to play in achieving Sustainable Service Delivery. The players include land use and infrastructure professionals.”
Lifetime Member Certificate of Recognition:
