Water Policy Fellowships

Jocelyne Rankin

Jocelyne is a Masters of Environmental Studies graduate from the School for Resource and Environmental Studies at Dalhousie University in Halifax. She completed her undergraduate degree at McGill University in Environmental Science specializing in aquatic ecosystems. Jocelyne has worked in the public, private and NGO sectors, including various municipalities, an environmental consulting firm, and as an intern at the National Office of the Sierra Club of Canada. She successfully defended her thesis in July 2008 and has begun working at the Ecology Action Centre in Halifax as the Water Coordinator on a part-time basis. Jocelyne is also working on her fellowship project which involves liaising between community-based watershed groups and the provincial Department of the Environment as they develop a comprehensive water strategy for Nova Scotia.

Fellowship Project Description

The policy issues that this project aims to tackle are the challenges that community-based watershed monitoring groups face in influencing decision-making at the governmental level to ensure the long-term sustainability of their watersheds. Community groups all across Nova Scotia are engaging local volunteers, developing stewardship programs, and generating important water quality information. However, these efforts have had little success in influencing policy decisions. Not only do these groups contribute to positive community values and build social capital, but they have also proven that they are able to generate reliable and scientifically valid results.

At present, Nova Scotia lacks an integrated decision-making structure for watershed management at the provincial level. However, through the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act adopted in 2007, the province has set an ambitious goal of developing a comprehensive water-resource management strategy by the year 2010. Sources within the Water and Wastewater Branch of the Department of environment have revealed that community groups will play an important role in the coming years to develop the water strategy plan. The proposed project will address this issue by working collaboratively with government stakeholders to ensure community-based watershed groups can become active participants in decision-making in Nova Scotia.

1. Gather and synthesize water quality monitoring information generated by community groups in Nova Scotia.
2. Work collaboratively with the Water and Wastewater Branch of the Department of Environment to contribute to their knowledge of water quality monitoring activities being conducted at the community level which will be done through monthly updates to the Department.
3. Through the chosen NGO, develop an advisory forum to which community groups from across the province may turn in order to share their monitoring information and influence local decision-making.
4. Develop a solid foundation for the functioning of the Water Strategy for Nova Scotia.

Throughout Jocelyne's thesis work she has spent time with leaders of community groups, and heard from governmental agencies with whom they have been involved. She has become familiar with water quality monitoring protocols and has a good idea of what kind of work is being done in various watersheds. Through the interviews that she conducted, she has gained an understanding of the challenges that community groups face, factors that influence their success at delivering monitoring information, and the opportunities for growth and further strategic development to ensure that their voices are heard at the decision-making level. Jocelyne intends to pursue these opportunities and help community-based groups achieve their management objectives.