In the face of intensifying drought and declining summer rainfall, how can Gulf Island communities ensure a sustainable freshwater future? This expert-led panel explores scientific research, policy tools, and local solutions to safeguard water in the Coastal Douglas-fir region — one of Canada’s most endangered ecosystems.
Learn how climate change is affecting groundwater, what alternatives to desalination exist, and how islanders can take meaningful action on their own properties.
Presenters: Dr. Diana Allen, Bridget Gile, John Millson
Host: Raincoast Conservation Foundation
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Watch the Webinar
What You’ll Learn
- What the latest climate models tell us about water availability on the Gulf Islands
- Why desalination poses environmental trade-offs and should be a last resort
- How California is diversifying its freshwater supply using reuse and stormwater capture
- What Gabriola Island’s groundwater challenges can teach us about adaptation
- Practical steps Salt Spring residents can take to manage water at home
About the Speakers
- Dr. Diana Allen – Professor of Hydrogeology, Simon Fraser University
Studies groundwater vulnerability under climate change and develops tools for risk-informed water policy. - Bridget Gile – PhD Candidate, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Stanford University
Focuses on sustainable water portfolios including reuse, stormwater, and desalination in dry regions. - John Millson – Salt Spring Island Water Preservation Society
Geoscientist and project lead for the FreshWater Catalogue initiative to improve local water knowledge.
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