The Watershed Moments Team Award recognizes individuals whose extraordinary contributions and accomplishments serve to elevate recognition of ecosystem values and benefits; and advance their integration within the built environment.

The award honours the outstanding legacy of the late Rob Lawrance (1964-2022). In the 1990s, Rob was the first Executive Director of the Cowichan Land Trust. He then had a 20-year career in local government as Environmental Planner with the City of Nanaimo.

Rob Lawrance had an extraordinary ability to connect with people and people with ‘place’, as does Kate Miller of the Cowichan Valley Regional District. Kate is the inaugural recipient of the Watershed Moments Team Award. Just like Rob did throughout his career, Kate champions the embedding of ecosystem values within municipal planning, processes and projects.

Why Kate Miller is the inaugural recipient 

“Kate Miller is a worthy inaugural recipient of this award. Kate connects the dots between community and regional government water stewardship collaboration. Kate also leads in inter-regional collaboration on water stewardship initiatives through her key participation on the Watershed Moments Team,” stated Paul Chapman when he and Kim Stephens co-presented the award to Kate.

“Beyond these accomplishments, Kate and Rob worked together on water stewardship efforts in the Cowichan Region in their previous working lives. Kate is an outstanding asset to her community and the community of water stewardship practice, and through collaboration and sharing of experience is growing a culture of water stewardship in the CVRD, across Vancouver Island and beyond.”