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Issue 11 Summer/Fall 2005 $4.50 members free LTA The Land Trust Alliance of British Columbia
Special Issue Communities in Transition Land Trusts help expand BC's parks Conservation & stewardship stories Mapping and more mapping
spreading the news about conserving B.C.'s natural and cultural diversity The Kingfisher Message from the Editor Volume 11, September, 2005
With the next two issues of The Kingfisher, we are taking Published by LTA, a special look at what is happening in BC’s rural The Land Trust communities. Demographic changes are pushing some Alliance of British communities into rapid development. The aging of the Columbia, baby boomer population (many of whom have lived in a dedicated to the generation of abundance) is now resulting in the stewardship and conservation of accelerating purchase of second homes, (40% of Salt natural and cultural heritage. We Spring Island homes are now reported to be owned by provide education, research, non-residents). Juxtaposed to this rapid growth, the limits communication and financial services of the resources which created many communities such as that support land trusts, mill towns or fishing villages are leaving other conservancies and others. communities with different transition challenges. The social, cultural and environmental effects of these changes Articles are provided by the authors, are now emerging. New neighbours, economies and and reproduction must be requested. lifestyles are shifting our sense of belonging both to the community and to the land with its environment and the Council 2005-6 traditional natural resource economy. Eileen Palmer, Chairperson Bob Walker, Vice-Chairperson Who gets to decide how communities grow – market Maureen Milburn, Secretary forces or community members? How do people get a Shawn Black voice in our own community directions? For example, on John Scull Salt Spring, the OCP states that the Ganges core is Kathy Dunster pedestrian-oriented village. However , the By-laws stipulate Lisa Fox that each business must have an associated four parking spots. Thus the core is full of parking lots, right up to the Staff: waterfront. How can we be more successful in protecting Sheila Harrington, both our cultural and natural heritage? Karen Hudson Thanks to the Real Estate Foundation for raising these Contract Staff: topics in the next two issues through the Communities in Ryan Durand Transition Initiative, a partnership program which many Linda Horsfall organizations including the LTABC are pleased to be part Damien Barstead of. We also take a brief look at several other partnership initiatives, including the Canadian Intermountain Joint Cover Photo: Venture and the Canadian Mapping Network. Sooke Potholes BC can be proud of our beautiful Provincial Parks. Land photo by Gordon Scott trusts have been working for years with all levels of LTA government to help create and in some cases offer The Land Trust Alliance of stewardship and management for parks and protected British Columbia areas. This issue celebrates some of the results of this 204-338 Lower Ganges Road, Salt work, and reminds us that our public parks need our Spring Island, BC V8K 2V3 250- continued support, so that they are not eroded by short- 538-0112 fax 250-538-0172 term and limited, private commercial interests.
Continued on inside back cover…. SSuucccceessss SSttoorriieess
n June 26th, 2005 The the beautiful forests OLand Conservancy of the Sooke Hills. (TLC) and the Capital Visitors to the park Regional District Parks may also picnic or (CRD) announced the explore Douglas fir opening of Sooke Potholes trails and stunning Regional Park. TLC is Sooke Potholes vistas from several thrilled with this significant viewpoints. This achievement after spending park is also nearly two years fundraising Celebrated accessible by way of and negotiating this $3.3 the Region's million acquisition. Galloping Goose Trail. This project was initiated by the community and would With the acquisition not have been successful phase of the Sooke without the overwhelming Potholes project support shown by residents now completed and of the area and indeed, the creation of a visitors throughout British regional park Columbia. For decades, announced, TLC people have used the area for has immediately swimming, fishing and hiking. proceeded with Phase Two to get the park and the The property was being By Eileen Palmer foreclosed upon when TLC campground up and stepped in to acquire it. It had running. Phase been subject to several failed Three will include development proposals during recent years and was TLC's development of a visitor's centre on the site undergoing a court-ordered sale. By buying out the over the next few years. Already 30 of the 64 interests of the primary creditors, TLC was granted campsites are open and are available at title to the property last fall. TLC partnered with CRD www.sookepotholes.ca. As the summer weather is Parks and the Provincial government to facilitate the finally upon us, visitors have been steadily using the purchase. The new Potholes Park adds 63.5 hectares site. to the existing five-acre Provincial Park. The magnitude of The energy showed by TLC It is our first campground and our first this project has been and CRD staff and volunteers partnership where TLC manages land (the a first for TLC. It is to bring the site to a campground and visitor's centre) within a our first campground presentable fashion for June government owned park. and our first was immense. Though much partnership where of the equipment and garbage left on the site was TLC manages land (the campground and visitor's contained in few areas, the clean up took several centre) within a government owned park. The months due to the volume. partnership with regional government has been extremely positive: their assistance has been crucial to The "potholes" are unique geological formations our success. Fore more details on the project, please which create deep pools in the Sooke River which contact TLC at 250.479.8053 provides one of the best freshwater swimming for the region. The clear green pools are linked by picturesque waterfalls and gorges, and surrounded by
The Kingfisher Volume 11, September 2005 Page 1 The Nature Trust’s Contribution to BC Parks
e coastal forest led to the creation of Francis Point Park.” 1. Cowichan River Provincial Park Osbourn The Nature Trust acquired 4.4 hectares (11 acres) near Cowichan Lake that became part of the Cowichan River Provincial Park on southern Vancouver Island. This park protects significant stretches of the Cowichan River, a Provincial Photo, Graham Heritage River, internationally renowned for its salmon and steelhead fishery. The park features Douglas-fir and Western hemlock forest communities and rare wildflowers. Mammals found Francis Point - in the park include shrews, voles, bats, martens, river otters, black bears, black-tailed deer and Roosevelt elk. At least 200 different bird species C parks are some of the most beautiful in the inhabit the area including osprey, hawks, owls, ravens Bworld. Hiking up mountainous terrain, watching and bald eagles. salmon make their river journey or sitting below a towering Douglas-fir, our parks provide opportunities 2. Francis Point Provincial Park to enjoy memorable experiences and the ecological In 2001 The Nature Trust purchased 72.8 hectares diversity of British Columbia. (180 acres) at Francis Point west of Madeira Park on the Sunshine Coast. This property is now Francis As a leading non-profit land conservation Point Provincial Park. It features the Very Dry organization, The Nature Trust of British Columbia Maritime Subzone of the Coastal Western Hemlock has played a key role in both the establishment and biogeoclimatic zone. This low elevation forest type is contribution of key infill private properties to a exclusive to the eastern side of Vancouver Island and number of Provincial Parks. In addition, a number of small areas on the Sunshine Coast. Nature Trust properties under long term lease to the province or federal government are designated and 3. Juan de Fuca Provincial Park managed as Ecological Reserves, National Wildlife The Nature Trust owns 1.6 hectares (4 acres) at Areas and Wildlife Management Areas (which will be Botanical Beach that is now part of Juan de Fuca detailed in the next issue of The Kingfisher). Since Provincial Park. Located south of Port Renfrew on 1971 The Nature Trust has worked to protect BC’s Vancouver Island, Botanical Beach is one of the wildlife and plants through the securement and richest tidal areas along the west coast. It features a management of high-risk habitats. Due to the unique shoreline framed by ridges of shale and quartz, generosity, support and foresight of donors and many which jut up through the black basalt to form huge partners, numerous Nature Trust properties with tableaus or “potholes.” Juan de Fuca Provincial Park significant ecological values have been conserved and includes China Beach, the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail in a number of cases become part of Provincial Parks. and Botanical Beach as well as waterfalls, grottos, old- Of over 120 land acquisition projects acquired by The growth forest, estuaries and tide pools. Nature Trust, 11 are managed as Provincial Parks. 4. Kitsumkalum Lake Provincial Park “It is very satisfying to know we have been able to add The Nature Trust acquired 61.43 hectares (152 acres) to the conservation values of our provincial protected of Kitsumkalum River and adjoining slough with high areas system,” said Nature Trust Director Frances fish and wildlife values near Terrace. This land is now Vyse. “For example, at Roderick Haig-Brown Park our part of Kitsumkalum Lake Provincial Park. The slough purchases were critical to protecting the integrity of stays open in winter and many waterfowl including the lower Adams River ecosystem; our purchase of Trumpeter Swans overwinter here. As well, it is an private land in 2001 in the small remaining areas of dry important coho and sockeye spawning and rearing area and protects the mouth of Dry Creek. There are
Page2 Volume 11, September 2005 The Kingfisher ature Trust, the Western grebe under-represented 2.5 hectares (500 acres) to 2.5 hectares (500 acres) important habitats for one of Canada's largest and ock very wet maritime ock very wet maritime contains the Brown Provincial Park Roderick Haig-Brown,known a well conservationist, writer and magistrate. 10. Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Provincial Park The Nature Trust owns 81.7 hectares (202 acres) at Cold Fish Lake in Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Park. This park is most significant, and it spreads across the Spatsizi Plateau and the Skeena Mountains. Lands within the park support large populations of wildlife. The light snow in the rain shadow of the Eaglenest Range creates one of the most woodland caribou in British as well as whitetail and mule deer, black bear, beaver, river otter and mink. It is named after one of the N The first directors of nd 1986, The Nature Trust and its Island. The Marble River flows through a shallow through a flows River The Marble Island. The bench lands. by forest covered canyon bordered with the river wildlife associated fish and park protects near eagle nesting habitat including Bald and estuary, fishery and salmon Narrows, steelhead Quatsino as well as waterfowl and rearing habitat spawning habitat. The park also Coastal Western Heml Coastal Western in the Nahwitti lowlands biogeoclimatic variant ecosection. Provincial Park 8. Okanagan Mountain Okanagan Lake, just opposite On the east side of Mountain Provincial Park. The Peachland is Okanagan 20 Nature Trust contributed ecosystems from three this park that encompasses zones: bunchgrass, ponderosa different biogeoclimatic protects park The pine and interior Douglas-fir. two red listed habitat for five blue (vulnerable) and including (endangered) bird species listed reptiles and Whiteheaded woodpecker. Blue turtle, found in the park include Western painted blue racer and Rubber boa, Gopher snake, Western Western rattlesnake. 9. Roderick Haig- Between 1976 a acres) on the partners acquired 46.52 hectares (115 (2,658 acre) Adams River to establish a 1,076 hectare corridor along the world-famoussalmon sockeye The wooded spawning grounds of the Adams River. area surrounding the river contains Douglas-fir, pine, hemlock cottonwood, birch, alder, ponderosa bird species and cedar. The park is home to numerous native Park to ites for lakeshore features This area
near Terrace. Photo Doug Walker River Watershed large cottonwoods cottonwoods large and snags surrounding the surrounding Park in the Skeena Park in the Skeena slough providing slough providing nesting s many bird species. many bird 5. Lakelse Lake Wetlands Provincial Wetlands Provincial Wetlands Provincial Park The Nature Trust owns 34.67 hectares owns 34.67 hectares (86 acres) that are Lakelse Lake now part of the moose, wolf, and cougar. moose, white species of black bear--is fir trees in the Joan Szewczyk., map About 100 bird species have been counted in the area, About 100 bird species have been counted swans. including bald eagles, ospreys and trumpeter 6. MacMillan Provincial Park partner in almost In 2005 The Nature Trust was a key doubling the size of the MacMillan Provincial old-growth habitat for hemlock and Sitka spruce and spawning diverse wildlife salmonids. Within this coastal forest, The populations and plant communities exist. Kermodei bear--a to the area as are coyote, cedar, over 280 hectares (690 acres). Located on Vancouver Island near Port Alberni, MacMillan Park is a world renowned site. Cathedral Grove in the park features some of the largest and oldest Douglas- than 800 years old world--more heights in excess of 80 reaching and metres (taller than a 20-storey building). In 1944, H. R. MacMillan donated land in recognition of the majestic stand of trees. Three years later it became a Class A provincial park. 7. Marble River Provincial Park The Nature Trust owns 47.5 hectares (118 acres) of land that is part of Marble River Provincial Park near Port Hardy on northern Vancouver Columbia. The Spatsizi River Valley, with its flooded BC is one of the most desirable places to live and visit areas and oxbow ponds, provides aquatic vegetation due in large part to our ability to enjoy the province’s for summer forage as well as willow flats for winter spectacular natural beauty. However, this beauty is browse for moose. Grizzly and black bear, wolverine, fragile. We must protect it. For over 34 years The beaver, hoary marmot, and Arctic ground squirrel are Nature Trust has been committed to finding a balance found here as are more than 140 species of birds. between conserving our land for its extraordinary biodiversity values and providing recreational and 11. Squitty Bay Provincial Park economic benefits. Through management plans for The Nature Trust acquired 5.7 hectares (14 acres) on each property, The Nature Trust along with its Squitty Bay on the southeast shore of Lasqueti Island. partners assesses the allowed use relative to the Lasqueti Island lies between central Vancouver Island conservation values and sensitivity to disturbance. and Texada Island. Ground-hugging prickly pear cacti Where appropriate certain properties become part of grow here alongside Rocky Mountain juniper, far from Provincial Parks and protected areas as one way to its montane habitat, and the blue-listed California conserve biodiversity. - Robin Rivers hedge parsley. Matson Lands Preserved Forever Our management plan for the Matson Lands, developed by HAT, NCC, FML, WBRA, Esquimalt and Mandalay Developments, envisions the Matson Lands Conservation Area as:
“A remnant example of the endangered Garry Oak woodlands that once dominated Victoria’s landscape, the Matson Lands have become an important node in a regional network of protected areas and greenways surrounding Victoria’s Inner Harbour and Gorge waterways….the transformation of this overlooked and degraded ecosystem to a healthy, ecologically functioning, species-rich, conservation area enjoyed by thousands of people stands as a testament to what community-based conservation can accomplish. The Matson Lands have truly become the crown jewel of the Inner Harbour”.
The Matson Lands, which are 1 hectare or 2.4 acres, he culmination of many years of work was finally are now owned and managed by HAT. Over the long Trealized in June when the Matson Lands in term management will include rehabilitation of eroded Esquimalt were preserved. Protected through an meadow slopes, forested habitats heavily infested with innovative partnership of visionary land developers, alien species, a public walkway, and interpretive dedicated local residents and grass-roots conservation signage. HAT’s role as landowner will be to chair the organizations, Esquimalt’s Matson Lands constitute an management advisory group and direct the exemplary model of successful community-based conservation and restoration of this important urban conservation in an urban setting. Members of the ecosystem. West Bay Residents Association (WBRA) and Friends of Matson Lands (FML) have championed the Special thanks are extended to the Friends of Matson conservation of the Matson Lands for nearly ten years. Lands and the West Bay Residents Association whose An agreement with Mandalay Developments Ltd, the dreams and tireless efforts were integral to seeing this Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), the land conserved. This project was made possible by the Municipality of Esquimalt and Habitat Acquisition forward-thinking donation of the Matson Lands Trust (HAT) has now brought this process to a point Conservation Area and stewardship funding from where conservation and protection is a reality. David Price of Mandalay Developments Ltd.
Page4 Volume 11, September 2005 The Kingfisher Update on NAPTEP t’s not a new international organization and not a Imilitary codeword. It’s the Natural Area Protection The transfer is a result of public consultation that Tax Exemption Program, launched earlier this year in showed strong support for the move. the part of the Islands Trust Area that is in the Capital Regional District and the Sunshine Coast Regional “Ecosystems are best managed as landscapes,” said District. The program is designed to offer incentives Louise Bell, chair of the Islands Trust Fund Board. to landowners to place conservation covenants on “Having Parks Canada, with its conservation private lands. It offers a 65% property tax exemption knowledge and scientific expertise manage the on land protected with a NAPTEP conservation Loretta’s Wood property, is preferable to having three covenant. different organizations administering adjoining lands.” April 1 was the deadline for landowners wishing to receive a tax exemption in 2006. To date we have First Free received four applications from landowners on Salt Spring Island. Applicant lands include wetland, coastal Crown Grant bluff, mature forest and stream ecosystems, New Nature comprising more than 25 hectares (60 acres). At their Reserve June meeting, the Islands Trust Council agreed to on Gabriola award Natural Area Protected Tax Exemption Certificates to those properties, conditional on the Island owners registering conservation covenants by the end of October and completing baseline inventory reports The province has consistent with the standards developed for the approved the NAPTEP program. transfer of a 64- hectare forest on The Trust Fund Board waived the application fees for Gabriola Island to first five NAPTEP applications. With four the Islands Trust applications received, there is room for one more free Fund Board as a new nature reserve. Earlier this year application. the board applied to the government to transfer the old-growth forest property under the provincial Free For more information check the Islands Trust Fund Crown Grant Program. The transfer brings the website at www.islandstrustfund.bc.ca or call (250) amount of protected area in the Gabriola Local Trust 405-5186 or write to the Islands Trust Fund at 200 – Area from 2% protected (the least amount of any 1627 Fort Street, Victoria, BC V8R 1H8. Local Trust Area) to 3.1%. It almost doubles the public walking trail infrastructure of Gabriola Island while protecting important biodiversity values. Local Loretta’s Wood on school children will be involved in naming the North Pender property. The Islands Trust Fund is accepting tax- Transferred to Gulf deductible donations towards the $6,000 survey Islands National needed for the transfer. Park Reserve The Islands Trust Fund is now consulting with the people of Bowen and Gambier Islands to select a The Trust Fund Board parcel of crown land from the Howe Sound area for transferred a 38.7 hectare our next application. The land will ideally have nature reserve on North threatened or at-risk species or ecosystems, broad Pender Island, known as community support, a potential management Loretta’s Wood, to the Gulf partnership and be adjacent to a protected area. The Islands National Park Trust Fund will also consider urgency due to existing Reserve. or potential threats to conservation. Opportunity Fund
The Islands Trust Fund established an Opportunity Fund in 2004 to support regionally important conservation projects in the Islands Trust Area. The fund was named the “Opportunity Fund” as the Board wishes to assist partners who are seizing opportunities for land conservation.
The Opportunity Fund started with public donations that arrived without specifying which project they were for. The account grows with each new fundraising initiative, such as the sale of birthday calendars (still available for $17.95) and appeals to past donors. our rooftop catchment system with 5980 imperial gallons of storage, will provide 61% of the total annual The Fund will generally provide support for ‘hard to demand of a four-person water-conserving household fundraise’ costs associated with land protection or will on Salt Spring Island. The house could run entirely on be used to match other donations to land acquisition the rainwater from November through January each projects. Opportunity Fund application guidelines will year, but will require a total of 21,300 gallons of be posted to the Islands Trust Fund website by stream water to supplement the rainwater supply. September. Grant amounts will typically be small, in This size of cistern reduces the summer stream water the $500 - $5,000 range. demand to 2,200-2,400 gallons per month during the driest summer months. The summer draw on the Rainwater Harvesting stream water could be reduced by approximately 500 gallons per month if the 1,500 gallon emergency Demonstration Site reservoir was used to supply the house instead.
Ruby Alton grew up on Salt Spring Island digging Given the site topography, all of the water flows by clams, fishing and raising sheep and vegetables on the gravity to a flash or sump tank at the south east corner family farm to supplement the family’s income. She of the house. Filters and a first flush device screen the was an ardent environmentalist who loved gardening. water as much as possible prior to it entering the surge Later in her life, she left her wonderful waterfront tank. It is then pumped up to the 5980 imperial gallon property as a bequest to the Islands Trust Fund. The tank in the driveway. The existing stream water supply 1.6 hectare (4 acre) property, including forest, 1930’s pipe also connects to the storage tank to provide a house, gardens, and pasture, is now protected for supplementary water source, necessary during the generations to enjoy as a nature reserve. summer. The water from the storage tank in the driveway falls with gravity to the basement of the In 2004, the Islands Trust Fund decided to solve a house where the water is treated through biosand, water supply problem at the Ruby Alton Nature particle, charcoal and UV filters to ensure is it potable. Reserve house by installing a rainwater harvesting system. Installing this system provided a good The garden system demonstrates how two barrels, a opportunity to educate the public about this simple pump and an ordinary light timer can be technology and about the impact of climate change on combined to create an automatic watering system Gulf Island water resources. The project demonstrates capable of running up to fifty drip emitters each a range of available technologies and good practices. averaging 1 gallon per hour.
Generous donors to this project include: Vancity/Real The Ruby Alton Nature Reserve rainwater Estate Foundation of British Columbia Green demonstration site at 661 Isabella Point Rd, Salt Building Grant Program , Capital Regional District, Spring Island, will be open for guided tours 1:30 pm - Victoria Foundation, and Rainwater Connection. Slegg 4:30 pm most Saturdays, July through September. Lumber, Mouat’s Trading and Windsor Plywood of Group tours may also be arranged by calling Kate Salt Spring Island each donated products for the Leslie at (250) 653-0031. garden portion of the rainwater harvesting system. Our water storage table, completed by the Rainwater Connection, shows that in a year with average rainfall,
Page6 Volume 11, September 2005 The Kingfisher network. It is centrally located within 10 km of several Provincial and Marine Parks and an Ecological Reserve. Thus, it is an ideal location to highlight these natural features and offer interpretive facilities on the mountain, wetland and marine habitats and wildlife of the region. The natural attractions within the Reserve will be further enhanced by restoration of a 4 hectare he Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve Society is wetland area south of the Lagoon. Check out the Tpleased to announce the opening of the Iris website for more information, up to date news, Griffith Interpretive Centre on British Columbia's construction progress and ways to support the work of Sunshine Coast.. the Lagoon Society – www.lagoonsociety.com or contact them at RLLNRS RR#1 S20 C16 Madeira The focus of the Society this year has been the Park BC V0N 2H0. construction of the Field Studies and Interpretive Centre at Ruby Lake Lagoon. The Iris Griffith Centre, Interpretation Centre at Montague named in honour of the late local naturalist Iris Marine Park, Galiano Island Griffith, is designed to help all ages explore and appreciate the natural wonders of British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. The landowners, the Cogrossi Family How about an opalescent nudibranch? Or a hungry acorn barnacle dining on plankton soup? You might at Ruby Lake Resort, have allocated 25 acres to the Lagoon Society for 80 years for this project. even be lucky enough to see a sunflower star motoring around the touch tank at the speed of up to 3 feet per The Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve features the minute! Stick your hands into the touch tank to feel the smooth carapace of a kelp crab, the suctioning freshwater lagoon and forested acreage located along a scenic section of Highway 101 between Pender tube feet of a purple star, the sharp spines of a sea urchin or dead man’s fingers! We also have a touch Harbour and Egmont. The site is extremely diverse both in terms of the large variety of habitats and the table where you can identify many locally found skulls and bones and classify a variety of seashells. For the abundance of different animals and plants. The lagoon is already well known by bird lovers for its wood night owls, we open up the “hole in the floor” every Saturday night to entice nocturnal ocean creatures to ducks and has been identified by the Wild Bird Trust as one of the most important bird habitats on the the surface to watch them feed and reproduce. The Nature House on Galiano Island's Montague Coast. The Nature Reserve is being protected by the Cogrossi Family with a conservation covenant by The Provincial Park is open from 1-5pm, Thursday through Sunday during the months of July and Land Conservancy, managed by the Lagoon Society. August. Go to the BC Parks website or link to it through our website at www.galianoconservancy.ca. The Reserve is en route to the Sunshine Coast ferry services and flanked by the Sunshine Coast Trail Pauline - Galiano Conservancy Assoc. 539-2424. The Latest From Cape Roger Curtis – Bowen Island he good news is that the bulldozers haven’t future generations. We Tstarted, nor have the chain saws. However, the are particularly bad news is that the developer withdrew from the encouraged by the recent “Neighbourhood Concept Plan” in March 2005. He “Draft Regional Parks claimed that the time schedule of his investors’ and Greenways Plan” (http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/parks/) objectives was being compromised by all the proposed by GVRD. This document clearly identifies discussions. Since that time he convened a couple of the need for more parks, and we have submitted meetings with selected representatives from various feedback to GVRD showing how closely Cape Roger community groups and identified a variety of possible Curtis fits with most of GVRD’s goals and strategies. development options, most of which would require Though we have the tentative support of the extensive rezoning approval, allowing public process . Municipality of Bowen, we must now try to develop support from other municipalities in the GVRD. Any The Cape Roger Curtis Trust Society continues to suggestions from Kingfisher readers on how to maintain community interest in the Cape and to encourage this support would be very welcome. preserve the maximum possible area of the lands for Please contact us at [email protected]. SSppeecciiaallllFFeeaattuurreess
Planning for Community Transition in Rural Areas A Partnership Initiative By Sara Muir Owen
I have been traveling south in New Mexico, along State Hwy 180 to Hurley, Bayard, Santa Clara, and eventually, to the Mimbres Valley. I am on my way to meet with community members of these rural towns to discuss the development of the Grant County Comprehensive Plan.
I soon learn that three of these four small communities, though factors that underlie community well-being are distinct places with their own unique histories, are facing the changing rapidly, and in most cases, creating same challenge. Phelps Dodge Corporation is curtailing challenges. Stresses are being felt, particularly in mining activity throughout New Mexico and rural jobs in communities traditionally dependent on resource Grant County are in decline - severe decline. The local industries like mining, forestry and fisheries. In economies of Hurley, Bayard and Santa Clara are not being some rural communities, as traditional industries sustained and the towns are facing depopulation. Yet, the decline, economic opportunities erode, jobs exact opposite is holding true in Mimbres, just 35 kilometres disappear and social dislocation occurs as east of Bayard, also in Grant County. Rich in scenic and community members are forced to move elsewhere recreation amenity, the Mimbres Valley has become a or remain unemployed. Yet, in other rural areas, new desirable location, and new development cannot be contained. enterprises such as destination resort development This historic agricultural community is being transformed and and oil/gas exploration present new economic locals are concerned about the environmental, economic and opportunities – and another very different set of social implications of sudden, unplanned growth. challenges.
When I moved back to BC from New Mexico, I Often, the rate of new economic growth can over- wasn’t surprised to learn that what is happening in tax the abilities of communities to plan adequately the arid southwestern USA is also occurring in my for local and regional land use impacts. For instance, own, much greener, home province in southwestern increases in resort and recreation activity, while Canada. In many rural regions throughout BC diversifying the local economy and generating economic prosperity for a community, can impact wildlife habitat, water quality and landscape aesthetics, drive up the cost of living for long-time community members and, to some degree, influence the socio-cultural fabric of a place. Such changes have negative consequences on the very features that originally drew people to the place.
In BC many rural communities are experiencing unprecedented real estate price increases spawned by historically low interest rates, investment potential and lifestyle demand for resort and recreation experiences. Canadians, Americans and Europeans are entering the
Page8 Volume 11, September 2005 The Kingfisher recreation real estate market like never before. Baby The Capital District (CRD) (responsible for Salt boomers continue to be the driving force in the Spring Island, the Gulf Islands and Victoria) scores market, sending prices for recreational property among the “five best” in the BC Stats 2004 skyrocketing. Of all types of recreational property in Economic Hardship Indices. The East Kootenay Canada, the greatest price increases have occurred Regional District (EKRD) (responsible for for waterfront land. Some of the most expensive Cranbrook, Fernie, Kimberly, Elkford, Invermere, waterfront properties in Canada are found along the Sparwood, Canal Flats, Radium Hots Springs and six Sunshine Coast and on Salt Spring Island. The Electoral Areas) rates “best.” The indices indicate RE/MAX 2004 Recreational Property Report that CRD and EKRD communities exhibit high per indicates starting prices for a three-bedroom, capita incomes coupled with low-income assistance winterized recreational property on water frontage and employment insurance rates. Yet, even in light to be $500,000 on the Sunshine Coast and $700,000 of favourable socio-economic indicators, the to $1,000,000 on Salt Spring Island. These high intense, unprecedented demand for recreation prices are not limited to the coastal regions. properties has placed upward pressure on residential Waterfront property in BC’s interior and eastern markets, creating an affordability issue for local boundary has experienced significant price increase purchasers. also. The changing real estate profile is also changing the A recent Vancouver Sun article “Six Success Stories: socio-cultural fabric. The Gulf Island’s Driftwood Buyers Who Have Watched the Value of Their publication reports in “Last Call at Moby’s” (July 13, Homes go Through the Roof” (June 11, 2005) 2005) that the sale and subsequent closure of a local reports significant price increase in a property by pub and restaurant for possible resort Windermere Lake near Invermere of the East redevelopment on Salt Spring Island has left some Kootenays. In 1967, the purchaser bought the .22- islanders mourning the loss of “spirit and familiar hectare waterfront lot for $7,000; in 2005 he is symbols of community.” Traditional communities in selling it for $1.29 million—an 18, 328.6 per cent places such as Salt Spring Island and the East increase in price. Kootenays are very much in transition.
Recreation real estate market prices are expected to In direct contrast to the economic vitality and rising continue to rise. Furthermore, given current real estate markets facing rural communities in the property values in prime international recreational Capital Regional District, other rural BC destinations such as Vail and Aspen, Colorado communities are facing economic and population (where the average sold price for a single family decline. In a forthright presentation to the BC Select house in 2001 was $4,100,000 US) many BC markets Standing Committee on Finance in October 2003, are considered undervalued. “The waterfront is the Oliver and District Community Economic becoming an exclusive retreat for affluent Society declared: “Of the communities in BC, Oliver purchasers,” states Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President in the RE/MAX 2004 Recreational Property Report.
Invermere, on Windermere Lake, left – 1906 – right 2005 – photo Darrell Smith has the highest economic dependency rate, one of partners, the CIT has three major goals to assist in the oldest populations, one of the smallest carrying out its mission: proportions of people in the workforce, one of the • lowest percentages of university attainment among Goal #1. Help communities plan for the workforce and incomes that are declining in transition. CIT strives to help communities comparative terms and now run about 70 percent of plan for transition and address impacts arising the provincial average.” It is telling that from 1996- from specific and cumulative events or the 2002, the dollar value of development permit erosion of traditional economies and social applications declined to nearly half of what it was structure. CIT enables research, professional during the 1991-1995 period. The types of issues and public education services, and work on Oliver is facing are being addressed (as described in public policy concerns. more detail below) by a positive agricultural heritage • Goal #2. Encourage and support vision, which is being promoted for the Oliver area. partnerships and collaboration. CIT brings together many agencies and practitioners whose responsibilities and professions or vocations play a role in shaping the use and conservation of land for local communities and their regions.
• Goal #3. Share achievements, expertise and implementation strategies. CIT shares the achievements (in the form of practical services), expertise and implementation strategies of its partners through a web -based resource library and applied educational services.
CIT partners agree to share the expertise they acquire through Biologists search for species at risk on former Garry Oak projects and produce research, analyses, and ecosystem, Channel Ridge, Salt Spring Island, now the site educational services. CIT partners also engage with of a 400 home subdivision, photo Terry McIntosh other organizations (collaborators) to carry out projects.
In recent years, several communities facing Funding for CIT projects can come from a variety challenges like those of Salt Spring Island, the East of sources including the Real Estate Foundation. Kootenays, and Oliver District have approached the One example of a CIT project that received a Real Estate Foundation for grants to conduct Foundation grant (spring 2005) is the Oliver and research and education projects that will help them District Economic Development Society’s address the changes that are occurring in their area. Agricultural Area Plan/Agriculture Resort strategy.. The Foundation has taken an active role in working The Agricultural Area Plan includes the review and with such cases, establishing the Communities in generation of legislation and policy that will lead to Transition (CIT) program in late 2004. the creation of an Agricultural Resort Area. Under this status landowners might operate spas, CIT’s mission is to support values-based planning cooking schools, and other enterprises that would processes that balance social, environmental, bolster the local economy while complementing the economic and governance concerns to address region’s agricultural heritage. The Agriculture Area regional and local land use and conservation issues Plan will identify acceptable resort development that in non-metropolitan areas of BC. Led by a ten enhances Oliver's existing agriculture industry by member Advisory Group formed from founding allowing for value- added products, other markets, and expanded, diversified income potential while
Page10 Volume 11, September 2005 The Kingfisher maintaining the existing acreage in crop production. Under the Plan, the Agricultural Resort Area designation will allow for farm development and prosperity in Oliver while preserving the values and objectives of the Agricultural Land Commission and promoting agricultural tourism. To Oliver and the District Economic Development Society, creating an Agriculture Resort Area and supporting agricultural tourism is a means to “support agriculture on ALR land, not replace it; celebrate farming activities, not crowd them out; learn to value the sight of cultivated fields, not yearn to replace them with time-share condos; fit in amongst the orchards and the vineyards.” In the Mimbres Valley, Grant County, New Mexico, residents wish to preserve and protect the natural and agricultural landscape. On another CIT project, the Real Estate Foundation is working jointly with Urban Futures Institute to identify the treasures - important community develop a two-year research study that looks at features to preserve and protect - in their rural “Social, Economic and Environmental Impacts of communities and to create visions for their future. Recreation and Resort Property Markets Growth in The resulting Plan outlines goals and policies to the Columbia Valley.” Like Salt Spring Island, the implement their visions and protect their treasures. communities of the Columbia Valley in the East The Plan guides citizens to create positive change Kootenay Regional District are experiencing a range through strategic actions such as the Mining District of impacts driven by the growing recreation and Revitalization Strategy. The Strategy identifies resort property markets. At the time of writing this necessary project partners and funders for industrial article the research study had just begun. The land use opportunities as well as other research is intended to answer several questions, the private/public economic development strategies in most important to CIT being: (1) what may be the light of the declining mining industry. It outlines critical paths of these markets in the Columbia detailed, but flexible, land use concepts to manage Valley; and, (2) how predictable might these markets and/or promote future growth. and their impacts be? We anticipate that unlike boom and bust scenarios of past resource-based In BC, we hope the cumulative expertise gained economies highly influenced by world market through CIT partnership and services will help BC’s factors, resort and recreation development can non-metropolitan communities in transition create provide traditional communities with a diverse clear visions for their future, make appropriate land economy and a more predictable, steady growing use decisions, and overall, implement positive market demand. If so, local governments, agencies change. Ultimately, CIT is about helping and organizations could have more control over the communities to successfully apply values-based their local economy and the growth and planning in order to achieve community well being. development of their communities than they may have had historically through times of "boom and For more information about the Oliver and District bust." Understanding the critical paths and Economic Development Society’s Agricultural Area predictability of resort and recreation real estate Plan/Agriculture Resort strategy and/or the markets will assist decision makers plan effectively Columbia Valley Resort and Recreation Real Estate for land use and conservation. Research findings Market Research, as well as other CIT projects will be relevant to other locales experiencing resort proposed, underway or completed, visit the CIT and recreation economic diversification and facing website at www.communitytransition.org or contact associated challenges, such as affordable housing for Sara Muir Owen, CIT Manger of Secretariat local residents. Services, by email at [email protected] or phone 604-688-6800 (Toll-free: 1-866-912-6800). In New Mexico, as part of the Grant County Comprehensive Plan process, our consultant team worked closely with local community members to Some CIT partners, such as the Real Estate BC Non-Profit Housing Association Foundation of BC, may be able to help fund an BC Real Estate Association organization's project. The Real Estate BC Society of Landscape Architects Foundation (REF) is looking for proposals that BC Treaty Commission can become successful grant applications. BC Wilderness Tourism Association Proposed projects must meet the REF's funding BC Water and Waste Association criteria, as well as exhibit a strong compatibility Chinook Institute for Community Stewardship Columbia Basin Trust between the applicant's and CIT's mission and Community Futures Development Association of BC goals. To find out more about the application Community Transition, Ministry of Community, process, visit the REF website at Aboriginal and Women’s Services www.realestatefoundation.com and review East Kootenay Conservation Program "How to Apply". Note that there is a special Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region application form for CIT projects. Grasslands Conservation Council of BC Land Trust Alliance of BC CIT partners are non-profit organizations, agencies Northwest Corridor Development Corporation and institutions with mandates related to planning North Central Municipal Association for social, economic and environmental Okanagan Mainline Association sustainability and real estate and land use issues. Real Estate Foundation of BC Their participation serves their member Real Estate Institute of BC organizations and non-metropolitan communities in SFU Centre for Sustainable Community Development SFU City Program general. UBC School of Community & Regional Planning University of Northern BC
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