Fourth-year B.PAPM student Natasha Overduin is in Vancouver this week, attending “A Water Gathering: Collaborative Watershed Governance Conference” as part of the research for her Honours Research Essay. Natasha writes:
“My research aim is to better understand how the emerging model of collaborative watershed governance is applied in practice. Attending the conference presents an engaging opportunity to experience the debate on collaborative models first-hand and connect with individuals who are currently active in watershed management in British Columbia. Thanks to support from Carleton University and Kroeger College, I was able to be in Vancouver from January 24th-27th for this exciting educational experience!
“I am taking a pragmatic approach in my examination of two long-standing collaborative watershed bodies: the Okanagan Basin Water Board and the Fraser Basin Council. Both organizations have successfully addressed water issues and are known for their capacity to involve a wide range of different perspectives in decision-making. My final paper will attempt to pinpoint ‘what works’ in these management bodies, and explore why collaborative governance can lead to holistic and mutually supportive outcomes.
“Through my time at the conference and in subsequent interviews, I hope to gain a variety of perspectives on views on a few key questions, including: why stakeholders (industry, various levels of government, NGO’s, First Nations) are motivated to participate or not participate in roundtable discussion, the general way each organization builds consensus amongst its members, and ways in which programs and plans are adjusted in light of current and future changes in the hydrological cycle and climate.”