https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len Reflections are based on the sessions that I attended and do not claim to represent the whole Symposium. Any misrepresentation of a speaker's words or intent is mine alone. Contact: leila.macadam(at)gmail.com en-us 2018-01-07 10:52:58 UTC 2023-03-29 04:29:54 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Bigthunderstorm.png leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219134839 At the edge of current knowledge is often a cliffhanger of assumptions. Questioning the more common of these can lead to surprising and powerful insights.]]> 2018-01-07 11:00:57 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219134839 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219134885 Questioning a common assumption in climate change hydrology assessments, Prof. Ashish Sharma presented the effects of temperature and antecedent condition to show that despite increasing rainfall, climate change will in many cases lead to decreased river flows in rural areas. However, more intense flooding is expected for urban areas. Read more about the future of flooding below:]]> 2018-01-07 11:01:35 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219134885 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219134978 Government feasibility studies on developing the Fitzroy River (WA) disclaim to the effect that 'these figures do not take into account other users or uses of water in the catchment'.

To inform a more balanced assessment, Prof. Michael Douglas and team researched the economic values of those 'other uses', focusing on wild food harvesting and the major commercial fisheries fed by the outflow from the river as evidence of some of the current, free-flowing benefits.]]> 2018-01-07 11:02:05 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219134978 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219135019 Why not use planning overlays to protect the environment, too? The NSW Office of Environment & Heritage took flooding overlays for the Gwydir one step further by identifying and accommodating riverine-floodplain connectivity to ensure water can continue to reach flood-dependent ecological assets. 

According to presenters Simon Hunter & Joanna Taylor, most people were accepting of the floodplain management zones once they learned it was not a issue of water allocation.]]> 2018-01-07 11:02:43 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219135019 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219135062 Dr. Eloise Kendy said that conservation can't happen without partnerships, and patience! Integrated management takes time, money and people working together. Which of these tips can work for you?]]> 2018-01-07 11:03:23 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219135062 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219135228 Pia Weber noted the importance of build alliances - if you are many groups fighting for the same cause, join forces and improve efficiency. Make a new network. ]]> 2018-01-07 11:05:49 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219135228 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219135293 From carp driving environmental flow releases from the Three Gorges Dam (presented by Lin Cheng) to being culled in efforts to remedy Australians rivers, iconic species can act as a focal point for discussions around environmental flows and aquatic ecology. David Papps reminded us that fishing is a huge community hobby and rationale for action.]]> 2018-01-07 11:06:43 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219135293 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219135452 The South African Water Act calls for “Some for all, forever.” Brian Jackson spoke about building legitimacy and trust as a defense against political obstructionism through 5 years of talking and action research about the Crocodile River in Kruger National Park. Now they're achieving big outcomes with automated, international-level data sharing. Two takeaways included:

• Collect implicit and explicit knowledge from both local managers and experts. 
• Evaluate progress based on developmental (of the region) criteria, not project-based criteria, to account for cumulative, long-term impacts. 

]]> 2018-01-07 11:09:04 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219135452 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219135495 Environmental conservation and water management are ongoing processes that span many, many human lifetimes. David Papps reminds us that like an Egyptian pharaoh, we must push for change with the time that we've got! ]]> 2018-01-07 11:09:33 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219135495 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219135587 140 years in the making, in 2017 the Whanganui River was the first to achieve legal status as a living entity through the tireless work and vision of the Whanganui iwi. Gerrard Albert described the importance of recognizing the river and its people as an indivisible whole, and likened the previously fragmented management of the catchment to the dismembering of a body.

Gerrard emphasized that "working at this level requires a lot of goodwill". The river will now be co-managed by two guardians, one from the iwi and one from the crown.]]> 2018-01-07 11:10:50 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219135587 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219135643 Shanice Martin and Jeanette Fabila performed a lively Welcome to Country at the start of the Symposium, encouraging the audience to get off their seats and dance along with the willy wagtail on stage. The Symposium was hosted on the traditional lands of the Jagera & Turrbal people.]]> 2018-01-07 11:11:10 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219135643 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219135874 We don't need to see eye to eye to work together. Assoc. Prof. Sue Jackson highlighted the benefits of creating 'boundary objects' that can be interpreted in different ways by different groups while driving collaboration. 

Sue described the cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary exchange that occurred during the construction of Indigenous knowledge seasonal calendars for river systems and their subsequent use as socio-eco-hydrological models to inform the choice of flow regimes. 

In Canada, Sarah Baines identified differences between 'zero flow' perspectives with  Mikisew Cree and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nations people and the government to identify barriers to collaboration and change. After 8 months of discussions, the idea of a baseline Aboriginal Navigation Flow emerged as a proxy for community use that could then be translated into the 'value' language of each group.]]> 2018-01-07 11:13:56 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219135874 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219135909 Dr. Anne Poelina and Gerrard Albert each generously shared their cultural and spiritual connections to the Mardoowarra (Fitzroy River) and Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River), respectively. 

Gerrard vividly described how Maori understanding of river system health necessitated a whole-of-catchment approach and motivated multiple generations of his iwi to pursue justice by proposing legal mechanisms to unite the river and people. 

Anne spoke with passion and humor about the Fitzroy River Declaration by  Kimberley Traditional Owners, the need for Australia to shift to sustainable 'forever industries', and the challenge of managing cumulative development impacts and protecting the river's cultural and natural values. She also called for recognition of Mardoowarra  as a living ancestral being with a right to life, inspired by the success of the Whanganui iwi. ]]> 2018-01-07 11:14:27 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219135909 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219136166 Dr. Eloise Kendy described an incredible journey to facilitate the world's first transboundary environmental water allocation for the Colorado River. 

Eloise explained that by identifying multi-objective outcomes (agricultural improvements, ecological benefit) from environmental flows, diverse and unusual funding sources could be enlisted towards the same project.

She also described how they engaged with the media to document and publicize the pulse that was delivered, and how a strong social interest in the project was encouraging for the future.]]> 2018-01-07 11:17:08 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219136166 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219136179 The San Antonio River - winner of the Thiess International Riverprize 2017 - showcased the importance of faith in a vision, and the long-term economic benefits of waterways. Early attempts to divert, drain or concrete over the river bend through the city were resisted, and as businesses slowly popped up in the area it evolved into the biggest tourism attraction in Texas! 

More recently, advancements in holistic flood management have driven rehabilitation of the previously straightened and channelized river.]]> 2018-01-07 11:17:17 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219136179 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219136395 What broad actions can we take in 2018, based on takeaway learnings from the individual case studies presented at the River Symposium?]]> 2018-01-07 11:20:21 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219136395 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219136548 Prof. LeRoy Poff highlighted how a changing world drives the update of the Brisbane Declaration on Environmental Flows to encompass items such as the engagement of social institutions, communicating 'why people should care', and managing for resilience under climate change.]]> 2018-01-07 11:22:23 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219136548 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219136779 An encouraging informal observation was a young baby attending with its parent. This is the normalizing role-modeling that points the way for men and women to support each other while navigating perceived conflicts of work and parenthood and, if desired, stay engaged in the industry during those early months of their child's life. An idea for the future: conference creches!]]> 2018-01-07 11:25:41 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219136779 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219136905 Celebrate your successes! The gala dinner provided a rare opportunity to recognize the fantastic work of the environmental water sector and award the deserving finalists and prize winners. With such long-term and complex goals for the environment, it's important to step back and congratulate each other now and then.

Read more about the finalists:]]> 2018-01-07 11:27:40 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219136905 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219136930 The Emerging Water Professionals side-program brought together an international cohort of clear-thinking, energetic early-career professionals to network and share experiences. The EWP program provided an anchor within a busy Symposium and added value with social events and workshops. ]]> 2018-01-07 11:28:07 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219136930 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219136970 The comedy panel provided a creative end to an engaging Symposium. Hearing some of our senior industry figures make wacky jokes (I hope they were jokes!) about the future in 2050 was refreshing after three big days of serious presentations... but jokes aside, the audience sounded seriously keen for a future President Anne Poelina! ]]> 2018-01-07 11:28:29 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219136970 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219137101

Include emerging professionals in decision-making

Delegate activities to those who can grow from them

Alert your superiors to the latest tech-based innovation opportunities for your sector

Summarise the latest thinking for time-poor colleagues

Ask emerging professionals for their ideas and energy

]]> 2018-01-07 11:30:30 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219137101 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219137154 Real-world cause and effect doesn't halt at disciplinary boundaries.
Environmental flows professionals have skills in juggling complex problems, managing multiple stakeholder groups, and merging the social and physical.

'Integration' is an increasingly important theme in many sectors. How can we share our learnings more broadly than the River Symposium?]]> 2018-01-07 11:31:22 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219137154 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219137275 Be realistic about what it will really take to see the desired change, and then set expectations (with yourself, your team & clients) for how much you can achieve with the resources you currently have. ]]> 2018-01-07 11:33:02 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219137275 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219208654 Who is accountable for these failings of the Australian water market? We often 'blame the market' but Lyndal Hasselman points out that we actually designed the market, by deciding the "highest value use" and setting incentives etc. So, is the market delivering the outcome we wanted?]]> 2018-01-08 00:35:24 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/219208654 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221228102 "If you love the river [...] keep the muckwits at bay!" Lesson #1 from watching David Papps' keynote was that a sense of humour always helps to engage your audience! 

The advice David shared from his time as Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder reflected recurring themes in the River Symposium:

1. "Building social licence 2.0 - trust; credibility; support"
2. "Political support at all levels"
3. "Resist tinkering with the architecture"
4. "Think in ecological timeframes"
5. "Expand and improve monitoring and evaluation and thence contemporary best practice in adaptive management"
6. "[Stakeholders] do what they promised"
7. "Improve management of ewater in unregulated systems - more science and innovation"
8. "Groundwater - what, where and how?"
9. "Greater focus on water quality"
10. "Integrated catchment management (as if we wanted it to work)"

]]> 2018-01-14 06:21:57 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221228102 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221229538 Dr. Anne Poelina said that we have the science but we don't tell the stories that bring us together. What stories will engage and unite others around your work for 2018?]]> 2018-01-14 07:08:40 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221229538 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221316198 Community perception can play a large role in empowering or challenging water quality improvements, so bringing them along for the ride is essential. The Mt Lofty Ranges and ACT Healthy Waterways projects provide contrasting case studies. 

Stephen Packer pointed out how the South Australian EPA found water quality improvements for the Mt Lofty catchment a hard sell given that, with water utilities spending big on treating it for drinking, the public didn't see any issues with its current state. His advice was to not start such a complex project until everyone was on board. 

Over in ACT, engineers, scientists, urban designers and the community were consulted in an extensive process to choose urban stormwater treatment options based on both science and social values. Justin Foley from ACT Healthy Waterways emphasized the importance of "giving [the community] the knowledge they need to provide the feedback into the process." Community education included this video:]]> 2018-01-15 00:34:42 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221316198 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221317448 Dr. Erin O'Donnell investigates attitudes to the environment as it gains 'legal personhood' and finds that people's sense of wanting to protect the environment may change - "it doesn't need my support any more" - warning that while there are legal benefits, it may come at the cost of community support. ]]> 2018-01-15 00:50:56 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221317448 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221318900 Memorable and special moments from the Symposium. How can you share laughter with, celebrate and motivate others in 2018?]]> 2018-01-15 01:08:15 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221318900 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221320917 2018-01-15 01:34:49 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221320917 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221322546 2018-01-15 01:52:14 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221322546 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221326858 "When [gender] is mainstreamed, then we can't find it" said Vanh Mixap & Yu Yu Htay while presenting OXFAM's Gender Impact Assessment manual as a valuable tool for more inclusive water-related development projects. ]]> 2018-01-15 02:53:22 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221326858 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221327621 Dr. Sarah Laborde's research on changing flooding patterns of the Logone River in Cameroon 
 Canal shows that the increased digging of canals has hastened the drainage process. The synchronicity of livelihood activities on the floodplain has therefore become strained, due not changes in total flow (often the concern of e-flows) but rather to the altered 'rate of change' of discharge. ]]> 2018-01-15 03:03:46 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221327621 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221342582 Real life is rarely a textbook example. Contextual quirks are what challenge us to be innovative when applying theory to practice, as these speakers reminded us.]]> 2018-01-15 05:55:12 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221342582 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221342662

History: Historical grievances are very real [regarding transboundary water management]... [and] cooperation & conflict aren’t binary concepts. Paula Hanasz

Novelty: New listed species can drive new level of commitment and discussion [to environmental flows] but also more challenges! Natasha Bellis & Kate Fitzpatrick

Existing legislative structures: With prior appropriation, the oldest water licences are served first before newer ones. So how to backfill environmental flows with some of this higher-security water? Natasha Bellis & Kate Fitzpatrick

Existing physical structures: 7+ years have been spent retrofitting devices to allow environmental flow releases from the dams of Portugal, and there are plenty still to be done. Vanessa Ramos

Language: People may equate water 'governance' with 'government', but it isn’t necessarily. Dr. Sokhem Pech

]]> 2018-01-15 05:56:05 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221342662 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221347858 2018-01-15 06:55:17 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/221347858 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/225344385 2018-01-28 05:21:14 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/225344385 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/225344619 2018-01-28 05:27:07 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/225344619 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/225345190 2018-01-28 05:39:23 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/225345190 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/225345814 2018-01-28 05:59:10 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/225345814 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/225346101 2018-01-28 06:09:26 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/225346101 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/225346844 2018-01-28 06:26:17 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/225346844 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/225347856 2018-01-28 06:54:37 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/225347856 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/225347926 2018-01-28 06:57:32 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/225347926 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/225376397 2018-01-28 13:16:09 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/225376397 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/225379911 2018-01-28 13:54:31 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/225379911 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/227307753 There was a strong theme of 'women in water' through the Symposium, including a presentation on the Peter Cullen Trust Women in Water Leadership program and a pre-conference panel session and discussion, summarised here: ]]> 2018-02-01 22:20:50 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/227307753 leila_macadam https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/227309025 2018-02-01 22:26:33 UTC https://padlet.com/leila_macadam/axhvcs870len/wish/227309025