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“The June 2008 release of Living Water Smart provided a timely provincial frame-of-reference for the Learning Lunch Series. The City collaborated with the CAVI team to explore a bottom-up approach that would inform implementation of Living Water Smart. Our goal was to demonstrate how we can all do business differently and thereby make green choices that create liveable communities and protect stream health,” stated Kevin Lagan.

“An action in Living Water Smart is that all land and water managers will know what makes a stream healthy, and therefore be able to help land and water users factor in new approaches to securing stream health and the full range of stream benefits. To that end, the Comox Valley series was conducted as a cumulative process, from philosophy to tools, in order to advance a regional team approach to rainwater management and green infrastructure. The desired outcome is that local government and private sector practitioners will make green choices that create liveable communities and protect stream health,” stated Kim Stephens.

A set of four presentations provided context for the day and set the scene for a walkabout through the Glacier View Pond area in East Courtenay. “The walkabout through the Glacier View Pond area provided an on-the-ground illustration of how the engineering approach to detention pond design has evolved in response to changing expectations,” stated Ian Whitehead in reflecting on changes in drainage practice he has implemented in East Courtenay over the past two decades.

The seminar introduced the extensive and very specific tools available to local government to manage the complete spectrum of rainfall events. “We structured the seminar in two parts: establishing expectations in order to influence the greening of the built environment; and delivering on expectations. Establishing expectations essentially means drawing a picture of what we want. Delivering on expectations means this is how we can and will get there,” stated Kevin Lagan.

“Nature has no borders; it does not recognize political or philosophical boundaries and it is essential for the health of human and non-human communities alike. To view nature in this way represents not a “special interest” approach but a modern advance in civil society. We are realizing that the current loss of ecosystems and biodiversity cannot continue, yet pressures to develop land for human use is placing huge demands on what remains,” stated Jack Minard.

“The Learning Lunch Seminar Series is the first step in building a regional team approach so that there will be a common understanding and consistent messaging regarding on-the-ground expectations for rainwater management and green infrastructure. Looking back at my 35 years of experience, we have always been very good at planning; but we have difficulty going from planning to action. At the end of today, we want you to come out of here so inspired that you will actually do something, not just say that was a great day that we had,” stated Kim Stephens.

“The underlying theme of the Learning Lunch Seminar Series is that we can create our future. The CAVI Leadership Team believes that actions on the ground can add up to A Positive Settlement Strategy for Vancouver Island. We are encouraging local governments to think about policies and practices that demonstrate how to accommodate settlement while at the same time building in green value – such that benefits exceed liabilities,” stated John Finnie.

The Comox Valley series will comprise three sessions at monthly intervals during the September – November 2008 period. “In the first seminar, the theme will be evolution. After that, the focus will be on tools, in particular legal and policy strategies that will help implement the New Business As Usual. Finally, the third seminar will look at how all the elements of regional needs fit together,” stated Derek Richmond.

High-level endorsement for a ‘regional team approach’ was provided when Mayors and Chief Administrative Officers representing the four Comox Valley local governments dropped in to show their support for the Learning Lunch Seminar Series. “We are thrilled by the work of CAVI. It is a tremendous initiative. The cooperation that is taking place around a consistent approach to development is very critical to all of Vancouver Island,” stated Sandy Gray.

“The desired outcome is that a common understanding of challenges and solutions will result in consistent expectations at front counters across Vancouver Island. To that end, the purpose of the seminars is to bring together representatives of planning, engineering, operations, building services, environment and parks departments from various municipalities. When developers and development consultants hear a consistent message about what is expected of them, we believe this will further accelerate doing business differently,” stated Kim Stephens.