LIVING WATER SMART IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: “The Bowker Creek Initiative is a network. It is a true community-driven collaboration made up of people with a lot of heart, grit, commitment, and dedication. They are dedicated to achieving the Bowker Blueprint vision,” stated Jody Watson, Supervisor of Environmental Initiatives with the Capital Regional District
Note to Reader:
Published by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia, Waterbucket eNews celebrates the leadership of individuals and organizations who are guided by the Living Water Smart vision. The edition published on November 28, 2023 featured Jody Watson of the Capital Regional District because she is the recipient of the Partnership for Water Sustainability’s second Watershed Moments Award. The award draws attention to the vision for connecting people and place and recognizes her extraordinary contribution to environmental sustainability.
A vision with a task is the hope of the world
“The 100-Year Action Plan for bringing Bowker Creek back to life through an intergenerational commitment to a shared vision is Jody Watson’s pre-eminent claim to fame in the world of BC local government,” stated Kim Stephens, Waterbucket eNews Editor and Partnership Executive Director.
“As chair of the Bowker Creek Initiative (BCI), Jody provided inspirational leadership for 13 years from 2005 through 2018. Without determined champions such as Jody Watson and her BCI peers, nothing gets started and nothing happens. Champions motivate others.”
Bowker Creek Initiative: A Beacon of Inspiration
“The BCI is more than the people sitting around the BCI table,” Jody Watson emphasized when I interviewed her in 2021 for A Beacon of Inspiration: Bowker Creek Blueprint and 100-Year Action Plan.”
“Key words that capture the essence of the Bowker story are perseverance, dedication, and TIME in capitals. Changes do not happen overnight. It is a journey and journeys take decades.”
“The BCI members are representatives of an extensive network that includes three Councils, every department, 11 community associations, and the CRD too,” continued Jody. This network is a true community-driven collaboration made up of people with a lot of heart, grit, commitment, and dedication. They are dedicated to achieving the Bowker Blueprint vision.”
Jody Watson’s legacy
“I have known and admired Jody Watson for almost two decades. She is a great communicator. Jody always looks for opportunities to advance the mission, and she focuses on results,” continued Kim Stephens.
“When I met with elected reps on CRD’s Environmental Services Committee in 2014, I described the Bowker Creek Blueprint as a game-changer and provincially significant.”
“The Bowker Creek Blueprint gave the rest of us a vision of what can be, I stated, and the Bowker process showed us how to give life to the vision.”
“In my remarks to the CRD committee, I underscored that in my professional judgement there is nothing that equals the Bowker Creek Blueprint. The intergenerational commitment embodied in the 100-Year Action Plan is at the heart of Jody Watson’s professional legacy!”
To Learn More:
To read the complete story, download a copy of Living Water Smart in British Columbia: A vision with a task is the hope of the world.
DOWNLOAD A COPY: https://waterbucket.ca/wcp/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/PWSBC_Living-Water-Smart_Jody-Watson_vision-and-task_2023.pdf