Note from Editor; With thanks, the folowing was sent to the editor by the Gabriola Groundwater Management Society.

Local residents can learn about a new strategy for drinking water and watershed protection while touring the Englishman River on World Rivers Day, Sept, 28. The Regional District of Nanaimo will present its Action for Water plan at Englishman River Regional Park, and at the Englishman River Estuary, in Parksville. The Estuary event is also hosted by the Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society, Arrowsmith Naturalists, Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Reserve, and The Nature Trust of BC

"People around the world take part in Rivers Day, so this is a great opportunity for us locally to talk about Action for Water," said RDN Chair Joe Stanhope. "The idea is to have the public, RDN staff, and water conservation groups all in one place to talk about Action for Water, and how it can help us maintain a healthy water supply."

Action for Water is the subject of a referendum in this year's Local Elections on November 15. Residents in the RDN's seven Electoral Areas will vote on implementing the strategy, aimed at improved management of the regional water supply. Components of Action for Water would include watershed planning to reduce the effects of population increase and climate change, a region-wide well testing program, and development of more comprehensive water resource data. Municipalities in the RDN will also have the option of participating in the strategy, if it is approved by the Electoral Areas.

A ten-year timeline and budget for the strategy was recommended to the RDN in 2007 by the Drinking Water/Watershed Protection Stewardship Committee, formed in March, 2006. The committee included local residents, representatives from the well drilling and forestry industries, conservation groups, and provincial government, as well as RDN staff and board members.

Background information and news on Action for Water is available at www.ActionforWater.ca.

Both Rivers Day celebrations will take place from 1-4 pm, with the larger of the two events at the Englishman River Estuary. Partner groups there will provide additional education on local water conservation issues, and tours of the Estuary; refreshments and cake will also be available. In the case of rain the Estuary event will take place inside Shelly Hall. The Estuary is located off Shelly Road in Parksville.

Attendees of the event in Englishman River Regional Park can tour a community operated salmon hatchery, and walk or cycle the park's extensive trail network. Information on the draft Englishman River Regional Park Management Plan will also be available onsite. Englishman River Regional Park is located at the end of Allsbrook Road, which connects to Bellevue Road off Highway 4A just west of Parksville. The park gate will be opened to vehicles for the afternoon, with parking available near hatchery.

A five kilometre trail from Top Bridge in the Regional Park to Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, near the Estuary, makes it easy to leave the car at home, and walk, cycle, or jog between both events.

The RDN has hosted a Rivers Day celebration at Englishman River Regional Park on the last Sunday in September every year since 2003. BC Rivers Day was founded 1980 by BC resident Mark Angelo, and became a worldwide event in 2005.