Archive:

“Through my polling research, I have learned that people are hardwired to water, at both the functional and emotional levels. Water brings people together. It is a natural starting point for any conversation about common interests, and by extension, our shared future. At the workshop on December 9th, I will use two online tools – SayZu and StoryMaps – to engage the audience in sharing their favourite water moments. Stories unite us. Water does it. The StoryMaps platform helps people visualize the landscape,” Angus McAllister foreshadows.

“We think this this model will allow water operators to both deliver and receive certified training within their local areas, in small groups, and using hands-on, practical exercises as opposed to traditional classroom based learning. Delivering peer-to-peer training is a win-win for me and for the City because my expertise is really growing,” states Jesse Reel.

“The Partnership continues to influence practitioners with thought provoking truths: use and conservation of land are equal values; healthy human settlement systems and ecological systems are inter-dependent; and, settlement in balance with ecology can lead to enduring prosperity. The Partnership makes available tools and support services that enable practitioners to focus on water sustainability as an essential form maker of our communities. We all live in a watershed,” states Tim Pringle.

“So, I commend Design with Nature to your sympathetic consideration. The title contains a gradient of meaning. It can be interpreted as simply descriptive of a planning method, deferential to places and peoples, it can invoke the Grand Design, it can emphasize the conjunction with and, finally it can be read as an imperative. DESIGN WITH NATURE!,” wrote Ian McHarg in 1991.

“The waterbucket.ca website facilitates communication and integration across initiatives, regions, sectors and disciplines and links these in order to foster development and implementation of ‘Design with Nature’ practices. We share stories about how practitioners can reduce project (and environmental) costs by applying ‘Design with Nature’ principles. And we find and/or develop appropriate resources that promote learning and change.” explains Mike Tanner.

“When CAVI began, we established a goal that Vancouver Island would be well on its way to water sustainability by 2010. CAVI has moved forward significantly and successfully promoted the message of water sustainability by engaging governments, developers and the community in water-centric thinking, planning and development activities. There is much yet to be done but I believe we have succeeded in our goal and in fact exceeded our program expectations,” stated John Finnie.

“The proposed new commission creates the necessary link between good water-use data and water management, a significant improvement to the current process of managing BC’s precious water resource,” stated Nelson Jatel. “The business case proposes a new commission that would manage water and build on the made-in-BC Water Use Reporting software developed in the Okanagan and piloted in the Okanagan and the Regional District of Nanaimo.”

“As a society, Canada must adapt to the new climate reality, and ensure that our cities, communities, infrastructure and buildings are resilient to extreme weather. This is a multi-stakeholder endeavour and we are thankful to the governmental agencies, NGOs and consumers that will participate in these projects. Together we will foster adaptation initiatives that will allow Canadians to better adapt to our changing climate,” stated Charles Brindamour.

“Inter-regional collaboration is helping a local government inter-regional leadership team – one that represents five sub-regions within the Georgia Basin – understand what the other regions are doing, what works and what does not. Each region is hosting a sharing and learning session. We will report out in 2015. The deliverable flowing from the 2014 Inter-Regional Collaboration Workshop Series will be a workbook on application of performance monitoring approaches that are affordable, effective and adaptive,” said Kim Stephens.

“The City of Courtenay State of the Environment annual report series is our way of sharing information on the ways that the City works with the environment on a daily basis; as well, it draws attention to the role of citizens in contributing to the health and quality of life of our community. Healthy natural heritage systems are the foundation for a sustainable community. This year we have taken a look at the ecological systems that connect our neighbourhoods and communities – our backyard streams,” states Nancy Hofer.