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“Our community is deeply committed to watershed management and stewardship. However, often they are missing the specific tools and information to transform that commitment to concrete actions they can take in their own lives. This often means simple changes to how they develop or care for their properties,” stated Kate Miller. “The purpose of the rainwater brochure is to inform and educate property owners as to how their properties can act like a watershed.”

Provincial programs provide direction as to where the Province wants to go with Living Water Smart and the Green Communities Initiative. “At the end of the day, planners and engineers and other disciplines must come together to determine the issues and solutions. No statute will help them do that. Living Water Smart is about motivating and inspiring everyone to embrace shared responsibility,” stated Lynn Kriwoken.

“Our collaboration with the Irrigation Industry Association paid dividends and opened eyes. Participants from local government were exposed to a practical side of water use in the urban environment. It gave them an appreciation of the impact on municipal, potentially either good or bad, depending on whether outdoor irrigation systems are well-constructed or poorly constructed,” stated Peter Law.

Drawing from both the local government and irrigation industry sectors, the workshop registration total was 105. “The turnout from the irrigation industry in providing a strong tradeshow component is a clear indicator of the value that they saw in supporting the workshop. The strength of the technical program attracted an attendance from up and down the east coast of Vancouver Island, as well as from the mainland,” stated Karen van der Gulik.

“Since the launch of CAVI in 2006, the primary focus has been information sharing and education. The depth of experience within the CAVI group has enabled it to intuitively know what works and why. By building on the essential concept of thinking and planning on a watershed basis, timing is right to integrate and expand this concept as the foundation of the ‘vision’ for Vancouver Island,” wrote Derek Richmond.

“Soil depth is a primary water management tool for use by local government to adapt to a changing climate. A well-designed landscape with healthy topsoil helps communities through both wet and dry times. Soil is a sponge. It holds and slowly releases rainwater. This can limit runoff during rainy weather; and reduce irrigation water need during dry weather,” states David Hislop.

“Agricultural Land Use Inventory data facilitates local government planning for agriculture, monitoring of trends in their communities, and evaluation of proposed regulations. It has been used to determine potential conflicts along Urban/ALR edges, crop practices along riparian areas with endangered species, and consequences of proposed changes to setbacks and minimum lot sizes,” states Corrine Roesler.

“Through my polling research, I have learned that people are hardwired to water, at both the functional and emotional levels. It is no accident that we like to gather around water coolers and watering holes. Water brings people together. It is a natural starting point for any conversation about common interests, and by extension, our shared future. Stories unite us. Water does it,” states Angus McAllister.

“We continue to influence practitioners with thought provoking truths: use and conservation of land are equal values; healthy human settlement systems and ecological systems are inter-dependent; and, settlement in balance with ecology can lead to enduring prosperity. We make available tools and support services that enable practitioners to focus on water sustainability as an essential form maker of our communities,” states Tim Pringle.

“We believe we have an exciting program. We have brought together a powerhouse team. These individuals are leading by example in their respective worlds of endeavour. A commonality is that each is passionate about what they do. We hope and anticipate that the collective enthusiasm of the presentation team will energize those who join us at the workshop in Victoria. It will be a memorable event,” states Kim Stephens.