Fraser Basin Council - 2006 STATE OF THE FRASER BASIN REPORT

Inspiring Others on the Path to Sustainability

Sustainability is a journey we share. Because the journey can be long, the path full of twists and turns, and the route uncertain at times, we all benefit from help along the way.
Sustainability indicators, such as those in Snapshot 3, can serve as a map and compass. They are a navigational tool to help show us the direction we are headed, and alert us to deviations in course. What is critical is that we keep our references in hand as we reflect, listen to each other, and agree on the important destinations in the journey toward sustainability. Then we can use the information to decide how best to move forward. It takes both head and heart to make a start, walk with wisdom, and stay on track.

As individuals, families, citizens, employees, investors, government policy-makers and business managers, we all have choices we can make to improve the social, economic and environmental quality of the life we share. Every day it's within our power to make choices that support sustainability, and to know we have done our best to inspire action by others.

The Fraser Basin Council is committed to the vision of "social well-being supported by a vibrant economy and sustained by a healthy environment." It is in this spirit that we have devoted time, energy and thought to the indicators and reporting reflected in Sustainability Snapshot 3.

Let this report-and others like it-serve as one of your reference tools. May it prompt fresh reflection, new dialogue and meaningful action. Let it shape our day-to-day choices for sustainability at home, at work and at play-in all communities of the Fraser Basin.

Acknowledgements

The 2006 State of the Fraser Basin Report: Sustainability Snapshot 3 would not have been possible without the support of the many people who provided data and information, technical expertise, research and writing, and financial assistance. The Council would like to express its sincerest thanks and gratitude to these supporters.

In addition to the Fraser Basin Council's Board of Directors, a special committee of the Board-the Sustainability Indicators Task Committee-provided oversight for this initiative between the spring of 2005 and the fall of 2006. Other advisors contributed guidance, feedback and advice on information sources, as well as the analysis and interpretation of trends. These included Fraser Basin Council Directors, staff and numerous individuals with expertise across a wide range of sustainability issues, including indicators and reporting. For a complete list of data and information sources, see the references and footnotes for each sustainability topic.

A talented team collaborated on this report. Special thanks go to Clare Mochrie, Amy Leighton, Alastair Moore, Carley Taylor, Nathan Cardinal, Karl English, Bob Bocking and Troy Nelson, who worked with several Council staff-Steve Litke, Denise Palmer, Joan Chess and Jim Vanderwal-as researchers and contributing writers.

The Council would also like to thank Western Economic Diversification Canada, and all the sponsors noted on this page, for their financial support of the report and the 2006 State of the Fraser Basin Conference.

We want your feedback

This report was shaped, in part, by feedback and suggestions received following the release of the 2004 Sustainability Snapshot 2 report and dialogue at the 2004 State of the Fraser Basin Conference. The Council values the insights and perspectives of individuals, government representatives, people in the business community and those in civil society.

Once again, we invite your feedback. Please let us know:

Is the report useful in helping you better understand sustainability?

Is the report useful in guiding your actions and decisions to advance sustainability?

In what ways are you using the report and the indicators?

What suggestions do you have to improve our next Sustainability Snapshot two years from now?

A feedback form is available on the Fraser Basin Council website (www.fraserbasin.bc.ca), or by request. In addition, the Council will undertake an ongoing evaluation on the use of the Snapshot report and the sustainability indicators. If you are interested in participating in this process, please contact Steve Litke.

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