That’s good to hear. It’s also consistent with what CIT is about, and what the Real Estate Foundation of BC is about. We surveyed land use practitioners in 2007 about the Foundation’s 20 year legacy, and many pointed to the success of a practice that emphasizes sharing research, resources, and information. The CIT Information Resource is an intentional extension of that practice. Keep your comments coming. Post your comments, or contact Foundation staff directly . The conversation about land use practices and conservation that we’re committed to supporting gets stronger and deeper with your participation.
The breadth of this conversation is a testament to the complexity with which BC communities understand their relationship to the land base. This issue gives a taste of that diversity. Our “cover picture” comes from Kimberley, which is hosting an important pilot project
on visualizing climate change scenarios. (In our May issue we’ll feature a report on several current projects, including this one in Kimberley and the province-wide “Smart Planning” initiative.) Our feature article focuses on learnings from the October 2008 Reversing the Tide conference in Prince George. The conversation with long-time community economic development practitioner Victor Cumming points to challenges that face rural communities across the province, and to some basic, yet challenging, shifts that need to happen for community sustainability. For over 20 years Tim Pringle has been listening to and participating in the “conversation” about sustainability that’s been taking shape in BC’s communities. His article gives a snapshot of the current state of that “conversation,” drawing on the Foundation’s work in Northern BC, and on what he’s hearing from BC communities post-market collapse.Kim Stephens returns to the CIT Information Resource with more news about ‘design with nature’ approaches to community, land development, and water management. This time he brings an overview of the Water Balance Model (WBM). Revamped towards the end of 2008, the “new” WBM has earned an award -- and is quickly attracting new municipal participation and application. One of our editorial team described Kim’s treatment as the best overview she’s come across.
A column on forests, conservation, and land use on Vancouver Island touches on challenges facing many Island communities with an historic forest economy. It is important to stress that while the opinions expressed in this, or other, editorial columns are those of the editor, they are not necessarily expressive of CIT or the Real Estate Foundation policy. Instead, they are intended as a spur to dialogue on important issues facing rural communities in BC. We encourage you, as practitioners in community, and as readers of this CIT Information Resource, to continue the conversation about community, values, and change. Please use the comment forms on this site. Or send us your ‘letters to the editor.’ Tell us what you think about the editor’s opinions - or those of any other writer here at CIT!
Finally, we’ve posted an important backgrounder to the Foundation’s Green Values Vancouver Island (GVVI) initiative. As Tim points out in his article, GVVI is one of those instances where the Foundation is taking a strong role in advancing sustainable land use practices.
Finally, it is our editorial policy to encourage the use of the materials published through the CIT Information Resource. We hope that you, as readers and as practitioners in community transition, will take what you like here, reference it, and share it for educational and non-commercial purpose. We only ask that you let us know how you are using it, even if it’s just to circulate an article in the office or amongst friends. We look forward to hearing from you!
hans peter meyer
Editor, Communities in Transition Information Resource
editor (at) communitytransition.org
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