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“By providing a value for the land underlying the stream and riparian zone, stakeholders have a much more realistic idea of the worth of the ecological services supplied by environmental assets,” stated Tim Pringle. “This form of financial information can be used for asset management strategies related to ‘Asset Management for Sustainable Service Delivery: A BC Framework’. This guidance document sets a strategic direction that refocuses local government business processes on outcomes that reduce life-cycle costs and risks.”

“Our goal in carrying out the research was that the findings would be reflective of local government experience. Of course, we understood that experience differs based on the organization, but we also recognized that it is really empirically grounded and speaks to certain trends or tendencies – in other words, it might not be everyone’s experience, but it is experienced by some,” stated Christine Mettler. “This research was informed by a few different components, principally an online survey supplemented by interviews.”

“You have only started; and in so doing, you can move outside the limitations of formal, established governance structures,” stated Bob Sandford. “It is the way to move out from under that, to build new governance pathways. And pathways to real power that can allow you to make change possible in a much shorter period of time. You have proven that, if you change your attitudes, changes in practice follow almost immediately. So, I ask and urge you to carry on. Don’t just be satisfied with slowing and reversing past damage. Keep working to make your world better.”

“The movies are out! Videos taken at the symposium are now posted on YouTube,” announced John Finnie. “While we are not looking for an Oscar, we must say that the quality of video production is outstanding. Our videographer, Gary Prendergast, has done a fabulous job of blending audio with PowerPoint slides. The extra effort to record the day has resulted in a legacy resource that will give life to the Symposium as a ‘watershed moment’.”

Feedback on the Nanaimo Water Symposium is represented by this testimonial from Craig Wightman, Living Rivers: “I want to congratulate and thank the members of the Organizing Committee for their sterling efforts in organizing and staging the joint NALT/Partnership Symposium on Wednesday-Thursday. I thought it was very professional and well-received by a large audience of VI water stewardship leaders. I know there was no formal feedback form for attendees, but also think you’ll be receiving many kudos either personally or by email over the next few days.”

The term ‘restorative development’ was coined by the writer Storm Cunningham in his first book ;The Restoration Economy’, published in 2002. Because he has made multiple presentations to British Columbia audiences over the years, and has a particular affinity for Vancouver Island, the Symposium program caught his long-distance attention. On the eve of the Symposium, Storm Cunningham shared his reflections in an interview. His insights provide useful context regarding the challenge of moving from awareness to implementation.

Anecdotal evidence suggests a groundswell of heightened awareness of the watershed context for ‘the creek that flows through my backyard’. “Within our growing urban areas, as our community becomes more diverse, being able to reconnect through nature offers the chance to reconnect with each other. By working to restore our urban watercourses, new and old neighbours are building connections between our natural spaces that will lead to a stronger sense of stewardship in future,” stated Rob Lawrance.

“Communication, cooperation, coordination and collaboration – have you thought about the power of the 4Cs? When all four are in play, good things happen,” states Derek Richmond. “Are you also aware of the beneficial outcomes that are flowing from collaboration between local government and the stewardship sector in the Nanaimo region? A groundswell of heightened awareness is translating into involvement and empowerment to make a difference. Join us on April 11-12 to learn more.”

“The program is structured as three modules to enable the audience to have an informed conversation,” stated John Finnie. “Context is everything. Hence, two co-keynote presentations in Module A will set the context and prime participants for a town-hall sharing and learning session in Module B about restorative development. In the afternoon, a set of four reflective presentations will introduce building blocks for achieving Sustainable Watershed Systems.”

“Until we stabilize the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere, phenomena such as atmospheric rivers are likely to cause greater flooding and related economic damage widely – forever making sustainability and adaptive resilience a moving target. So what will we do?” asks Bob Sandford. Adapting to climate change requires a paradigm-shift in how we perceive watershed worth and service land. The audience will be asked to reflect on this question: How will communities ‘get it right’ through collaboration as land develops and redevelops?