In recognition of Canada Water Week (March 17-23, 2014) and World Water Day (March 22, 2014), Environment Minister Mary Polak presented the Farmland-Riparian Interface Stewardship Program with the second-annual Excellence in Water Stewardship Award for British Columbia.

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. The award is given to organizations, partnerships, businesses, institutions and community groups in each province and territory across Canada, including B.C.

Farmland-Riparian Interface Stewardship Program co-ordinator Lee Hesketh was presented with a certificate signed by Premier Christy Clark, a glass trophy and a $1,000 honorarium provided by the Council of the Federation.

Chosen from 11 B.C. nominations, the Farmland-Riparian Interface Stewardship Program is a program of the British Columbia Cattlemen's Association. Nominees were evaluated on the contribution of their project toward the Council of the Federation's Water Charter objectives including leadership, innovation, collaboration, water conservation and measurable results.

To celebrate Canada Water Week, the Council of the Federation has also launched an improved version of Canada's water information website, InfoStream. The website is a single portal of water information aiming at enhancing cooperation and sharing of information on water.

Quotes:

Minister of Environment Mary Polak -

"Water is a defining part of the landscape throughout B.C. Clean fresh water is essential to our well-being, our communities and our economy - and for growing healthy food, generating clean energy and the environment. While our government has shown leadership by introducing the new Water Sustainability Act to the legislature last week, what government does is only part of the solution. It's great to see stakeholders such as the Farmland-Riparian Interface Stewardship Program also take charge and demonstrate leadership in protecting our water resource."

Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster -

"I'm delighted that the Farmland-Riparian Interface Stewardship Program is being recognized for excellence in water stewardship. The program works closely with farmers and ranchers to protect and improve water quality and riparian vegetation, and prevent and lessen agricultural impacts on streams and lakes. It is recognized as a leader in promoting water stewardship in the agriculture sector in B.C. and is known for its collaborative and cost-effective approach to watershed and riparian area protection and management."

David Haywood-Farmer, president, BC Cattlemen's Association -

"The BC Cattlemen's Association is honoured that our Farmland-Riparian Interface Stewardship Program is being recognized with the 2014 Excellence in Water Stewardship Award. We are proud of the leadership and innovation in water stewardship that program co-ordinator Lee Hesketh demonstrates by bringing together all the stakeholders and interested parties in a focussed and collaborative approach with the ultimate goal of enhancing our most valuable resource and the lifeblood of our industry, water."

Learn More:

To view a photo of Environment Minister Mary Polak presenting Farmland-Riparian Interface Stewardship Program co-ordinator Lee Hesketh with the Excellence in Water Stewardship Award for B.C. on March 18, 2014, in Vancouver, please visit: www.gov.bc.ca/env/

For further information about the Council of the Federation and the Excellence in Water Stewardship Awards, visit: www.councilofthefederation.ca

To view InfoStream, visit: www.councilofthefederation.ca/infostream/index.php/en/

For more information about the Farmland-Riparian Interface Stewardship Program, visit: www.cattlemen.bc.ca/frisp.htm

For more information about B.C.'s proposed Water Sustainability Act, visit: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/watersustainabilityact/

Media Contact:

Media Relations
Ministry of Environment
250 953-3834