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“It started with a conversation. In 2005 a group of similar thinking individuals, recognizing a need to balance economy and ecology with the increasing settlement on Vancouver Island, and the critical importance of water in that equation, gathered in Parksville to have a conversation about water sustainability on Vancouver Island. Within a year, that initial meeting evolved into a movement, Convening for Action on Vancouver Island – Leadership for Water Sustainability, known widely by the acronym CAVI,” stated John Finnie.

“Kim Stephens was able to communicate concepts in a way that made sense to the class. They understood him perfectly,” observed Todd Pugh, sessional instructor for Capilano’s Local Government Administration Certificate program. “It is such a mix of people – there were some who would have liked to hear more about the science behind what he presented, and for others it was more science than they’ve experienced since elementary school.”

The new billing system also allows people to reduce their stormwater bills by making improvements to their property to better manage water, Fraser Work said. Financial rewards will be offered to property owners who add rain gardens, cisterns, green roofs or resurface driveways with a permeable surface that absorbs stormwater. “When you are looking at potentially replacing your driveway, when you are looking at doing some roof work … you can look at this rewards program as a source of cost mitigation.”

“Water-centric thinking, planning and doing have become more than a vision. They are a reality on Vancouver Island and elsewhere in BC. CAVI, the acronym for the Convening for Action on Vancouver Island initiative, was a driver in this accomplishment and demonstrated what can be done through partnerships and collaboration,” stated Derek Richmond.

Local governments are starting to recognize that watersheds are natural assets that have value, ecosystem services have a role in municipal service delivery, and so they need to be integrated into their asset management programs. “The MVIHES experience demonstrates that positive outcomes are a result of strong community support for protection of small streams and their tributaries,” stated Faye Smith.

“Water sustainability became a common thread in discussions and decisions about land development, water use and water conservation. Participants from governments, the development community, academia, consulting organizations, and others, understand the importance of water sustainability and incorporate water sustainability practices into their activities. Water-centric thinking, planning and doing have become more than a vision. They are a reality on Vancouver Island,” wrote John FInnie.

“Recurring region-wide consequences of water-related challenges have prompted regional action to develop governance structures and processes to make the connections between high-level decision making and actions on the ground,” stated Keith Lawrence. “One of the actions undertaken throughout 2015 was a more coordinated approach to communicating what is happening in our region, and what can we do about climate impacts.”

“The major outcome from the Learning Lunch Seminar Series has been the demonstrated effectiveness of the regional team approach, a model that has broad application potential throughout Vancouver Island and beyond. It demonstrates that when the parties reach for a common vision and work through their jurisdictional differences it is possible to accomplish mutual goals and implement sustainable practices within an overriding watershed context,” stated Eric Bonham.

“So, to promote a holistic approach to infrastructure asset management, we have crystallized three key objectives for Sustainable Service Delivery: 1) pay down the legacy cost of existing hard infrastructure; 2) reduce the life-cycle cost of new hard infrastructure; and, 3) shift from gray to green to protect downstream values (i.e. environmental and/or agriculture),” stated Kevin Lagan, former Director of Operational Services with the City of Courtenay, in 2011.

“We recognize the importance of thinking at a watershed scale. Because nature has no borders, the four Comox Valley local governments are exploring how we can align and integrate our efforts at a watershed scale. We can achieve that outcome within the existing governance framework,” stated Kevin Lorette, former General Manager of the Property Services Branch in the Comox Valley Regional District, in 2011.