The Okanagan Water Stewardship Council has been presented with the inaugural Excellence in Water Stewardship Award for B.C.
The Excellence in Water Stewardship Award was established by the Council of the Federation – a collaboration of Canada’s provincial and territorial premiers – to recognize outstanding achievement, innovative practice and leadership in the area of water stewardship.
“Fresh water is one of the most precious natural resources we have,” said Environment Minister Terry Lake. “Local and regional groups like the Okanagan Water Stewardship Council are stepping up and demonstrating leadership throughout the province.”
The council, which is a technical advisory body of the Okanagan Basin Water Board, was chosen from 16 B.C. nominations.
Nominees were evaluated based on the contribution of their project toward the Council of the Federation Water Charter objectives, including leadership, innovation, collaboration, water conservation and the achievement of measurable results.
“Stewardship in the Okanagan is a balancing act among various, often competing, interests,” said Okanagan Basin Water Board water stewardship director Nelson Jatel who is responsible for the council.
“It is essential to build bridges across the different interests in the water sector - including farmers and urban planners, fishers and developers, First Nations, and local and senior governments.”