In this paper lessons are drawn from past integrated natural resource management research that may have particular relevance to integrated water resources management scientists as they re-direct their focus from blue water issues to green water issues, and vice-versa. Case studies are drawn from the management of water quality for irrigation, green water productivity and a convergence of integrated natural resource management and integrated water resources management in the management of gold panning in Southern Zimbabwe. One point that is abundantly clear from both constituencies is that one-size-fits-all or silver bullet solutions that are generally applicable for the enhancement of blue water management/formal irrigation simply do not exist for the smallholder rain-fed systems.