Category:

“Unfortunately, the long view of ‘what will this be like in 50 years’ and policy to support such vision is difficult to establish and even harder to defend over time when decision-makers are regularly challenged with the demands of the day," observed Eva Kras. “Yet we need both immediate-term pragmatism and visionary dedication to sustainability if we are to preserve our capacity for positive and permanent regional vitality."

“We designed the Managing Water Workshop to spark a conversation and ultimately inform a shared vision for Vancouver Island. To achieve any resemblance of food security for Vancouver Island will require a major shift in the way we are managing our agriculture lands today, how we protect them in the future, and acceptance of the need to secure water for the production of food on these lands,” stated Ted van der Gulik.

“Vancouver Island 2065, building upon the IREI and LINK initiatives, seeks to establish an Island-wide forum to provide opportunity for sharing of ideas and stories of successful projects that integrate watershed management and asset management principles. It is hoped that this collaborative approach will set a new standard for land use planning on Vancouver Island,” states Eric Bonham.

“This partnership has the potential of being a model for other regions in the province and beyond. A grassroots initiative developed through working partnerships and collaboration, it is nevertheless pragmatic in its approach and sustains connection to the decision makers at the local, regional and provincial levels of government. Getting things right at the front end has emerged as essential for investing in the right infrastructure,” states George Hanson.

“The panel painted a picture of collaboration and outcome-oriented actions, with a focus on the Comox Valley and its Guide to Water-Wise Land Development in the Comox Valley. Then, they elaborated on how on-the-ground success is a springboard to an over-arching vision,” reports Kim Stephens.

“This is an exciting partnership that will result in a comprehensive approach to visioning and planning that will ultimately benefit many diverse groups on Vancouver Island,” states Pedro Marquez.

“The outcomes include things like low carbon technology, green infrastructure, sustainable agriculture and creative business practices. And the broad principles include a commitment to a shared vision, the common good, fair play, a sense of ethics, and inclusion across cultures,” stated Eric Bonham.

“As our economy diversities, our communities grow, and our population expands, we must find ways of working together so that we will balance the inevitable demands of growth with the equally important issue of protecting our coveted and life-sustaining natural environment. Vancouver Island 2065 is an important step towards increasing awareness as well as inter-regional cooperation,” states George Hanson.