CBT Communities Adapting to Climate Change Regional District of Central Kootenay Area D Village of Kaslo

Climate Adaptation and You The Village of Kaslo and Area D have partnered with CBT to look at the impact of climate change and potential adaptation strategies on small and medium size water system and on agriculture. We have a steering committee and co-ordinator in place and have held our first public meeting so residents could hear from experts.

Local Coordinator Tim Sander is our local coordinator Learning experience – you are ahead if you have a local coordinator from the start of the project. Communicating support needs to CBT is a key strategy to keep moving forward.

Steering Committee Nine Committee members –One represents an existing water system –One represents a local soil expert –Two elected officials, Mayor of Kaslo and Director of Area D are committee members –Selkirk College is on committee –Interested citizens form the balance Elected officials are important to the mix

First Steps Community Assessment –Survey scan and first public meeting confirm that water and agriculture are of most concern –Research shows we have data for water modeling as well as a plethora of information regarding agricultural activity –Communicating the science should be part of every steering committee meeting and every public meeting –Don’t forget to invite the media to public events

Next Steps Steering Committee to do Impact Mapping Public meeting for feedback on impact mapping Survey, based on Rossland’s survey to be circulated at public events Movie night for rural area will introduce project to them

Other Lessons So Far Experts very successful in communicating the science to those who have no background Local observations are important – keep a record of them and display at each public event Have not yet had ‘doubters’ come forward At public event interspersing a lecture, then break- outs followed by another lecture worked very well for keeping the public engaged.