OVERVIEW
With rapid population growth on the Sunshine Coast, issues related to water consumption, water supply, drinking water quality, human effects on aquifers, and protection of aquatic species and habitat are becoming increasingly important. To provide impetus on this vital issue, the Lagoon Society and Sunshine Coast Community Foundation organized a 2-day Water Summit in March 2006 which brought together scientists and water management professionals to exchange knowledge with local stakeholders and to foster the development of a shared understanding on local water issues. To continue the positive momentum generated by the Summit, we organized a 2-day Public Water Fair September 16-17, 2006.

WATER FAIR DESCRIPTION
The focus of the Fair was on raising public awareness about local water management issues and mobilizing community members to take action to reduce their residential water consumption. The Fair included:

• DISPLAY BOOTHS featuring displays from various groups including manufacturers of water conservation devices, community groups, local government, water purveyors, landscapers and nurseries, irrigation designers, etc. Displays will feature such items as low flow toilets, gray water systems, rain harvesting systems, drought-tolerant landscaping, and drought management bylaws and metering.

• PRESENTATIONS by different manufacturers, community groups, and others on topics related to water conservation.

• CHILDREN'S AREA with monitors on hand to entertain kids so parents could explore the Fair

• KEYNOTE SPEAKER PRESENTATION - Clive Callaway from the Living by Water Project gave a special keynote presentation on shoreline protection.

• WATER SUMMIT REPORT was released for public comment at the Water Fair.

Read newspaper article about the Water Fair.

OBJECTIVES
The Water Fair helped contribute to our larger overall goal of building support and participation from all members of the community in order to design and implement a Sunshine Coast Master Water Plan that will ensure a plentiful and sustainable supply of quality drinking water, and maintain fully-functioning natural ecosystems, within a healthy and vibrant coastal economy.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT
This project is a partnership between the Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve Society and the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation (SCCF). The purpose of the Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve Society is to preserve and enhance the natural habitat and wildlife of the Ruby Lake Lagoon and to facilitate local environmental education. The SCCF provides stable, sustainable support to charitable organizations on the Sunshine Coast. This partnership developed as a result of a grant to the SCCF by the McConnell Foundation / Community Foundations of Canada. The Sunshine Coast Regional District has generously provided matching funding for this project.

www.scrd.bc.ca

www.sccfoundation.com

The Project Organizing Committee:

• Dr. Michael Jackson, Lagoon Society Chair
  
• Don Basham, Sunshine Coast Community Foundation Chair
  
• Elise Rudland, Sunshine Coast Community Foundation Director
  
• Tim Adams, Vancouver Coastal Health Drinking Water Officer
  
• Bob Patrick, Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Geography, University of Guelph
  
• Dr. Lois Kennedy, Sunshine Coast Resident
  
• Georgia Ohm, Lagoon Society Programme Director
  
• Vince Verlaan, Wellspring Facilitation & Planning Inc.
  
• Jennifer Carson, SCRD Water Conservation Assistant
  
• Dr. Michelle Evelyn, Lagoon Society Education Committee Member
  

The Lagoon Society is very grateful to the generous contributions of the many private individuals, businesses, foundations, community groups, corporations, and government agencies that make up our many sponsors. We gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia.

Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve Society RR#1 Site 20 C16 Madeira Park, BC, V0N 2H0 Phone/Fax: 604-883-9893 Email: info@lagoonsociety.com

Iris Griffith Interpretive Centre 15386 Sunshine Coast Highway 101 North (1KM south of Ruby Lake) Phone: 604-883-9201 Open Daily 10AM to 4PM