4 minute read
Boundary Business Center
January 2023
RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
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COMMUNITY NEWS
The mission of this non-profit publication is to provide the residents, businesses and organizations of Renfrew/Collingwood with a medium for community communication.
by Masa Kateb
Paul Reid: staff writer and layout coordinator Lisa Symons: sales and distribution coordinator Julie Cheng: editorial coordinator
Contributors: Emily Corley, Julie Cheng, Karen Vanon, Masa Kateb, Paul Reid, Sophia Han
We want to hear from you!
Yes, You! Send comments, community events, press releases by regular post, fax or e-mail. Suggestions for improving the paper are welcome.
We welcome appropriate, unsolicited editorial submissions if accompanied by the author’s real name, address and telephone number. The author should retain the original as we cannot return submissions without prior agreement nor does submission guarantee publication. We reserve the right to make editorial changes.
The Renfrew/Collingwood Community News does not necessarily support the views of its contributors.
Next submission deadline: Jan. 10
The Renfrew-Collingwood Community News is an initiative of the Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH).
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Phone: 604-435-0323 extension 261 Fax: 604-451-1191
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Renfrew/Collingwood Community News
Collingwood Neighbourhood House 5288 Joyce Street Vancouver, BC V5R 6C9
Watershed Management from Various Perspectives featured Jimmy Zammar Director, Urban Watersheds, Sewers, and Drainage of City of Vancouver; Amir Taleghani, Senior Flood and Drainage Planning Engineer of City of Vancouver; Emily Pearson, Foodlands Coordinator of Rivershed Society; Andrew Egan, Instructor of Environmental Studies at Langara College; Carmen Rosen, Founding Artistic Director of Still Moon Arts Society; and Adrian Avendaño, Stewardship Program Manager of Still Moon Arts Society as host and moderator.
Still Moon Arts Society (Still Moon) hosted their final Shedding Light talk for 2022, Watershed Management from Various Perspectives, on December 1st at the Collingwood Neighbourhood House Annex.
The evening featured a discussion with stakeholders from the City of Vancouver, Langara College, Rivershed Society of BC and Still Moon on effective watershed management in the Still Creek Watershed, the watershed that Renfrew-Collingwood is part of.
With more extreme weather events locally and across the world as a result of the climate crisis, there is an urgency to understand and protect limited natural resources, especially within urban contexts. Watershed management refers to land use and water management practices to protect and improve the quality of water and other natural resources.
Discussions throughout the evening included how reconciliation and watershed management can coincide, how art and community can be incorporated into watershed management as a means to engage and educate residents and how we envision the future of the Still Creek watershed. A common point amongst panelists was the need for holistic perspectives in watershed management. Social, economic and cultural aspects contribute to creating solutions for a resilient and thriving watershed.
A challenge for effective watershed management is that various jurisdictions, such as the City of Vancouver, Metro Vancouver Regional District and the province, aren’t necessarily working towards the same goals, and therefore can undermine each other’s efforts.
There was an emphasis on how watershed management is prioritizing partnerships with the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Inspiring stories were told around the power of art to foster engaged communities to take part in urban planning initiatives. Future visions for the watershed shared by panelists included the consistent and abundant return of salmon, daylighting of Still Creek over time, greater access to green spaces, healthier wildlife habitat and increased community stewardship. This was a visioning practice for 50 years into the future. Watershed and a felted book created by local seniors depicting the wildlife they saw growing up within the watershed. There were also history books showcasing what the land looked like before colonial development. Audience members were treated to tea and delicious pastries provided by Bao Bakery.
If you missed the event, there will be an archive uploaded on YouTube. Please visit www.stillmoonarts.ca and follow them on social media. Be sure to stay tuned for more Shedding Light talks and other eco-arts and stewardship events in 2023.
Want your voice to be heard about watershed and neighbourhood planning?
The City of Vancouver is hosting community engagement sessions in February 2023 for the Rupert and Renfrew Station Area Plan. Please come be a part of designing and developing our neighbourhood.
Still Moon will be there. Learn more at https://vancouver.ca/homeproperty-development/rupert-andrenfrew-station-area-plan.aspx.
