Life needs water. More than two thirds of the planet is covered by water while just under two thirds of our bodies comprise water. Our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health thrive when we are connected with water. Even our economies rely on water.
As the Regional District of Nanaimo Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Program’s co-ordinator, Julie Pisani, passionately says, ensuring a prosperous water future means protecting and maintaining water quality, water levels, water access as well as water’s spirit — for both our communities and the diverse ecosystems — that sustain us.
The Coquitlam River Watershed Roundtable (CRWR), our local example of truly collaborative watershed governance, is at a pivotal moment in its history. Since 2007, the roundtable, with which I’ve volunteered, has evolved into a group guided by a part-time co-ordinator and a multi-sector committee made up of federal, provincial, regional and local government representatives, First Nations, academia, industry, development, stewardship and the arts and culture community.
For the past decade, CRWR has partnered with various funders, secured grants, engaged community, participated in local planning and helped to inform decision-makers with legislative authority. Then, in 2015, it launched the Lower Coquitlam River Watershed Plan. To address the health and long-term sustainability of the watershed, the plan identifies various watershed pressures (stressors such as development, stormwater and invasive species) along with corresponding strategies and actions (policy/regulatory incentives; improving practices; implementing measuring, monitoring and reporting protocols; augmenting education/outreach programs; engaging in restorative development).
Along with its maturing legitimacy, enduring work ethic and inclusive collaborative governance model, CRWR now recognizes its need to secure stable funding sources so that it can focus on leading long-range projects in the watershed.
I recently attended the Nanaimo Water Symposium, hosted by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC. This year’s gathering recognized and celebrated the work of collaborative watershed governance on Vancouver Island. By sharing information and expertise, local government and the stewardship community are better able to plan and implement effective watershed management.
Back here on the mainland, Metro Vancouver’s Watershed Management Plan is guided by an overall goal to have “watersheds that provide clean, safe water and are managed and protected as natural assets of highest importance to the Greater Vancouver regions.” Supporting CRWR aligns directly with Metro Van’s objective to have a watershed planning process that involves the public, stakeholders,
advisory committees, municipalities and government agencies. Furthermore, supporting the CRWR would advance Metro’s Ecological Health Action Plan.
Melissa Chaun of Port Moody is an ecologist with a passion for all things sustainable. She is events co-ordinator with the Rivershed Society of BC and volunteers on various city committees. Her column runs monthly.
HERE’S HOW TO HELP
Here are the ways you and I can get involved with protecting the health and future of the Coquitlam River watershed:
Let Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam’s mayor and council know that you:
• want them to promote and support the conservation of a healthy sustainable watershed;
• support the CRWR in implementing the Lower Coquitlam Watershed Plan;
• and are in favour of long-term support for the CRWR, its plan and related projects.
Visit the CRWR website (coquitlamriverwatershed.ca) to get involved:
• The Roundtable’s strategic objectives and actions may align with your organization’s — partnerships are what make this work.
• Upcoming events: Experience your watershed by joining a free watershed tour or other CRWR event. Get outside, learn new things and earn leadership/volunteer hours (via clean-ups, weed pulls, plantings, etc.).
• Learn, network and contribute by attending the publicly accessible core committee meetings (the next one is May 9).
• Get involved in your city’s budget planning to ensure watershed-based initiatives are supported and implemented.
• Check out Metro Van’s growgreenguide.ca and re-imagine your front and back yards as part of a healthy watershed.
We all live in a watershed. Experience yours and learn to protect it for a prosperous water future.
