Water-Centric Planning

LIVING WATER SMART IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: “With unwavering vision and courage, Lynn Kriwoken brought water management in British Columbia from a jurisdictional backwater to the most progressive in Canada,” stated Mike Wei, former Deputy Comptroller of Water Rights

April 22, 2025 - Posted in Living Water Smart: The Series, published in 2025

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. Stories are structured in three parts: One-Minute Takeaway, Editor’s Perspective and Context for Busy Reader, and the Story Behind the Story.

The edition published on April 22, 2025 featured Lynn Kriwoken, recipient of the Partnership’s Watershed Moments Award for her unwavering vision and courage as champion for development and implementation of Living Water Smart. Premier Gordon Campbell wanted a “plan to lead the world in water management, the best bar none.” Lynn delivered. Living Water Smart is an idea that has a life beyond a date-stamped plan. Below is the Editor’s Perspective.

EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE / CONTEXT FOR BUSY READER

“Created in 2022 by the Partnership for Water Sustainability, the Watershed Moments Award honours the memory and legacy of Rob Lawrance (1964-2022). He was a founding member of the Watershed Moments Team in 2018,” stated Kim Stephens, Waterbucket eNews Editor and Partnership Executive Director.

“The award draws attention to the vision for connecting people and place by recognizing the passion and commitment of those who excel in contributing to the success of the Watershed Moments idea and vision.”

Lynn Kriwoken, Living Water Smart champion

“Lynn is a passionate citizen volunteer who devotes her time to protecting local water resources. Her commitment speaks for itself: chair and trustee of the Oceanview Improvement District near Mill Bay on Vancouver Island; president of the Whistler Lakes Conservation Foundation (WLCF).”

“In conjunction with the Melting Glaciers, Healthy Watersheds, and You event organized by the WLCF and the Whistler Institute, the Partnership presented Lynn Kriwoken with the Watershed Moments Award. She is without doubt THE CHAMPION for Living Water Smart in British Columbia.

“Lynn’s achievements in water sustainability are unmatched in the public service or private sector. Lynn’s leadership allowed BC to achieve a number of milestones,” stated Mike Wei when he, Ted van der Gulik and I presented the award on April 18, 2025.

“Lynn’s vision and collaborative leadership, and her relentless pursuit to develop leading edge water policy/legislation, are well-recognized by partnerships, industries and communities, Indigenous Nations and political leaders alike,” Mike Wei noted.

Inform provincial policies and programs through shared responsibility

“For well over 20 years, I have been a colleague of Lynn Kriwoken through our collaboration under the Partnership umbrella. Moreover, it was Lynn’s commitment that gave life to the Partnership in 2003. When she was an Executive Director in the Ministry of Environment, her vision and support made it possible for me to develop and lead the Water Sustainability Action Plan.”

“In government, Lynn was a leader who made a difference behind the scenes with her vision and ability to make things happen. She was the Living Water Smart champion, and her passion and leadership drove it.”

To Learn More:

Waterbucket eNews stories are structured in three parts: One-Minute Takeaway, Editor’s Perspective and Context for Busy Reader, and the Story Behind the Story. To read the complete 3-part storyline, download a copy of Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Lynn Kriwoken, champion for Living Water Smart.