Project Updates


Watershed Security Agenda for British Columbia

Setting direction for the next mandate

November 30th, 2020

The POLIS team has developed a comprehensive Watershed Security Agenda to provide direction and support to the provincial government’s critical platform commitments to protect clean water, develop a watershed security strategy and fund, and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People and the B.C. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

Overhauling federal freshwater legislation

Water Security for Canadians Initiative works to modernize water law and governance in Canada

July 27th, 2020

The Water Security for Canadians Initiative brings forward actions for federal policy and institutional reform and the modernization of the Canada Water Act.

Water has crucial role in modernized land use planning

New research from POLIS Water Sustainability Project

July 22nd, 2020

New innovative applied research offers an extensive review of past and current land use planning efforts in B.C., and outlines specific actions for a modernized land use and water planning regime in the province.

Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Program Celebrates 10 Years

New Watershed Governance Dispatch Released by POLIS Water Sustainability Project

June 3rd, 2020

The latest publication in POLIS’ Watershed Governance Dispatch series focuses on the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN)’s Drinking Water and Watershed Protection (DWWP) Program and three winning conditions for watershed governance: sustainable long-term funding; support and partnership with local government; and availability of data, information, and monitoring.

Watersheds 2020 Website Launch

Plus survey to contribute to program development

February 12th, 2020

The POLIS team has been hard at work preparing for Watersheds 2020 (October 14-16, location TBD). This week, the team launched the Watersheds 2020 website! The forum's program will be shaped by needs and priorities identified by the B.C. freshwater community. If you would like to contribute to the discussion, please fill out the survey.

Remembering Our Dear Friend Al Martin

Missed by the POLIS team and everyone in B.C.'s conservation community

January 16th, 2020

Last October 15th we were saddened to learn that our friend, colleague, and conservation champion Al Martin passed away after a battle with cancer.

POLIS in the Field

December 17th, 2019

From field trips, to on-site workshops, to meetings at the B.C. Legislature, the POLIS team was busy this fall.

Pooling Shared Information and Knowledge Governance

New Watershed Governance Dispatch Released by POLIS Water Sustainability Project

December 13th, 2019

Released today, the latest publication in POLIS’ Watershed Governance Dispatch series focuses on pooling shared information and knowledge governance. It highlights examples from across B.C. that demonstrate the characteristics of effective knowledge creation and sharing in action.

“Developing systems to pool, store, manage, and make decisions about data and information is critical to watershed governance,” said Rosie Simms, Research Lead and Project Manager at the POLIS Water Sustainability Project, University of Victoria. ..

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A Watershed Security Fund for British Columbia

Position Paper from POLIS Water Sustainability Project, First Nations Fisheries Council, BC Wildlife Federation, and BC Freshwater Legacy Initiative

November 27th, 2019

Released today, this position paper describes a genuine opportunity for the provincial government to create an enduring legacy for freshwater in B.C. It was produced through collaboration between the POLIS Water Sustainability Project, First Nations Fisheries Council, BC Wildlife Federation, and BC Freshwater Legacy Initiative.