Water-Centric Planning

LIVING WATER SMART IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: “Those who are in the front lines of local government are embattled, stretched to the limit, and under-appreciated. But they are not alone. They can look to the network for inspiration, peer support and hope,” stated Richard Boase, Vice-President of the Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC

September 23, 2025 - Posted in Living Water Smart in BC, 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 (REPRODUCED BELOW),, and the Story Behind the Story.

The edition published on September 23, 2025 presented an overview of the Partnership’s Mid-Year Report. Also structured in three parts, the Mid-Year Report describes the Partnership’s operational framework followed by a section on the ambassadors’ program. Then it weaves quotable quotes into a narrative about the Partnership’s array of initiatives.

EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE / CONTEXT FOR BUSY READER

“We live in challenging times, exacerbated by the instability in the United States. The ripple effects of polarization there have unforeseen consequences for us. At the same time, we live in a world where there is information overload. Meanwhile, knowledge and wisdom are being lost at an alarming rate. The Partnership bridges a gap with respect to conservation and land use realities involving water,” stated Kim Stephens, Waterbucket eNews Editor and Partnership Executive Director.

Are we really willing to become dumber?

“An emerging concern is the decline of critical thinking skills. There is more technology, but less understanding. In an article published in the NY Times, David Brooks reflected on new research findings. Reliance on artificial intelligence impacts the underlying cognitive architecture of human brains.”

The Partnership for Water Sustainability strives to bridge a knowledge gap

“With the exodus of experienced people who have deep knowledge, there is an intergenerational gap in understanding what works and what does not. This includes the ability to interpret data and information,” continued Kim Stephens.

Once critical thinking skills decline…

“The knowledge gap grows with the decline in critical thinking skills. This situation has implications for the quality of decision-making going forward. So, what can the Partnership realistically do to make a difference? So, what can the Partnership realistically do to make a difference? Well, we facilitate peer-based sharing and learning to help local government practitioners integrate water-centric solutions into land planning outcomes.”

“Volunteers who are Partnership elders have something quite valuable. We describe it as freedom of action! This allows us to keep our eyes on the prize. We have the independence to focus on and teach those who want to know what matters most in times of change and turmoil.”

The Living Water Smart Network bridges the knowledge gap in a tangible way

“The Partnership provides legal and organizational continuity for the Living Water Smart Network. The Partnership has no paid staff and that is intentional. Instead, we rely on growing the network. And that changes everything because it entails commitment to something bigger than oneself.”

“People who want to be part of the Living Water Smart Network are voting with their feet. They are engaging with the Partnership. They are telling us the Partnership is a valued and valuable resource, they want it to continue, and they want to participate in the mission.”

Twin Pillars of Water Sustainability support the idea of Living Water Smart

“In the Mid-Year Report, readers will learn about Water Tools for British Columbia and the Georgia Basin Inter-Regional Education Initiative (IREI). These are the twin pillars of the Partnership’s water-first approach at the provincial and bioregional scales.”

“Governments come and go and staffs turn over. And memory and understanding are lost. But the Partnership is a constant. Deep knowledge is embedded within the Living Water Smart Network.”

“This deep knowledge is the foundation for ideas, tools and initiatives that the Partnership sustains, evolves and passes on through peer-based learning,” concluded Kim Stephens.

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 PDF copy of Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Context for Partnership’s Mid-Year Report for 2025.