Water-Centric Planning

LIVING WATER SMART IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: “The Marine Science Thesis Course was my favourite. A big part of that enjoyment was just because the students were so excited to learn, and I was able to help them learn,” stated Zoe Norcross-Nu’u, Comox Lake Watershed Protection Coordinator

March 19, 2024 - Posted in Living Water Smart in BC, Living Water Smart: The Series, published in 2024

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 March 19, 2024 featured Zoe Norcross-Nu’u, watershed protection coordinator with the Comox Lake Regional District. She reflects on her experience as a college instructor in Hawaii in the 2000s and how it has influenced her thinking on motivating changes in behaviour through hope and optimism rather than doom-and-gloom.

Hope and optimism do make a difference

“In 2008, the four Comox Valley local governments stepped up and volunteered to be a demonstration region for rollout of the provincial Living Water Smart and Green Communities initiatives. As of 2012, this “convening for action” process morphed into the present-day Georgia Basin Inter-Regional Educational Initiative, aka the IREI,” stated Kim Stephens, Waterbucket eNews Editor and Partnership Executive Director.

“While inter-regional collaboration in combination with her watershed coordinator role was the context for my conversational interview with Zoe Norcross-Nu’u, the story behind the story went in an unexpected direction.”

“It started innocuously when I asked, what is the story behind you teaching at the University of Hawaii Maui College? Before we get to that, however, Zoe’s thoughts on the Comox Lake Watershed Protection Plan are summarized below.”

“At the end of our conversation, Zoe connected her reflections about Hawaii and interweaving Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science to Blue Ecology, the water-first approach that bridges cultures. Zoe represents the Comox Valley Regional District on the Partnership’s Watershed Moments Team.”

What it means for local governments to have a united inter-regional front

“The Comox Valley approach to watershed protection has benefitted, and continues to benefit, from relationships that we have developed over years with our peers in other regional districts.” explains Zoe Norcross-Nu’u.

“These relationships are the result of inter-regional collaboration made possible by the IREI. It is really valuable how the other regions have become an integral part of a coordinated approach in responding to the provincial government.

Inter-regional collaboration is powerful:

“When the regional districts on the east coast of Vancouver Island present a united front in response to requests from the Province, it is so much stronger than us trying to speak as an individual local government, especially for a small one within a larger provincial context when you are one among many.”

“Inter-regional collaboration allows us to support each other in addressing problems that transcend boundaries. In a provincial context, we are just one tiny voice. When the regional districts on the east coast of Vancouver Island unite behind an issue, our voices can be so much more powerful.”

Connected by Water: Hope and optimism do make a difference

“The story that Zoe shared with me about her time in academia was fascinating and powerful. Her passion in describing the progression in her teaching experience over an 8-year period in the 2000s captivated me,” continued Kim Stephens.

“Zoe’s academic career had three distinct phases which built to the theme that hope and optimism do make a difference. Insights gained along the way serve Zoe well in her current watershed coordinator role.”

“In her first three years, Zoe taught those who just wanted to take an easy science course. Seeking an opportunity to create a more meaningful learning opportunity, she developed a course called Topics in Sustainability, which was structured as a speaker series.”

“Through that experience, she learned the importance of finding the silver linings. A thesis class was the rewarding phase of her academic career when Zoe mentored passionate young professionals.”

TO LEARN MORE:

To read the complete story, download a copy of Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Hope and optimism do make a difference.