“A key goal of the Convening for Action program is to record our history as we create it. Hence, we place emphasis on preparing articles that will capture the thinking of those who are generating the curriculum content for the annual Learning Lunch Seminar Series,” explains Kim Stephens.
“The theme for the 2011 Series is A Regional Response to Infrastructure Liability. This is a driver for a change in the way local governments plan, finance, implement and over time replace infrastructure. The focus of the 2011 Series is on why and how all those involved in land development have a role to play in achieving Sustainable Service Delivery,” notes Derek Richmond.
The phrase “design with nature” is borrowed from the title of a seminal book by Ian McHarg, published in 1969. He was a renowned landscape architect and writer on regional planning using natural systems. He pioneered the concept of ecological planning. Ian McHarg’s premise is simple: “that the shaping of land for human use ought to be based on an understanding of natural process.”
“The Brooklyn Creek experience epitomizes how stripping away the water storage capacity of the watershed landscape impacts on stream health in two ways: loss of baseflow…that is, too little water in dry weather; and channel instability and erosion…that is, too much water for too long during wet weather,” observes Jack Minard.
“Alignment of efforts at a watershed scale is a way of thinking. The ultimate goal of the regional team approach is to create linkages among the different areas of action, thereby helping to create a stronger implementation plan – that is, what all the plans will achieve,” says Kevin Lorette.
“The Ministry's 2007 guidance document provides the Ministry with the capability to align its efforts with municipalities and support a consistent watershed-based approach to rainwater management,” reports Kim Stephens.
“Watersheds are not all created equal. And when we begin to examine them, we find that they function in all kinds of different ways. And what I often see missing in most engineering methodologies is an understanding of how a particular watershed actually functions,” stated Will Marsh.
“The goal of Adaptive Management is to learn from experience and constantly improve rainwater management practices in order to protect and/or (over time) restore watershed health,” states Jim Dumont.
“Provide leadership, education, coordination, participation, etc., to familiarize people with what can be done on the ground and eventually win them over with a new way of thinking. Comox Valley is heading in the right direction here, but there is a price for admission – patience,” commented John Finnie.
“The treatment of Brooklyn Creek for most of the past 60 years, has been an example of what not to do. Let’s use this example as a learning experience that helps us all move toward a better way of doing things,” concluded Dick Stubbs.
