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File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka entitled "Land Resource Issues in BC and the Tough Choices Ahead" for the Surrey Rotary.

Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"This speech, with the exception of the beginning and the ending is largely the cobbling together of two previous speeches. The new introduction draws upon several headlines from contemporary newspaper articles as examples involving land and water use decision-making. The next several pages largely repeat portions of [2020.4.2.1.42] "The Rural - Urban Continuum: Tough Land Use Choices Ahead". The latter half of the speech draws from [2020.4.2.1.44] "Land Resource Issues in B.C. - UBC Seminar".

The speech ends with a suggestion that there is a faint light at the end of the tunnel offered by the proposed "Planning Act". The speech closes with 3 broad concepts for consideration:

1. Land and water use planning is fundamental in determining the economic opportunity and environmental quality of the future;
2. Good rural planning demands good urban planning and the race for space will accelerate; and
3. There is a need to reflect on the interdependence of man within natural systems in our planning for rural and urban land and water.

While farmland preservation isn't central to this speech the rural resource and planning theme is relevant."

File consists of a 1973 BC Land Commission photographic slide and audio tape set entitled "Land Commission Act and the Agricultural Reserve Plan" that was used in original public hearings throughout the province. The 80 slides included with the presentation materials were created mostly by Gary Runka. The audio cassette is a recording of the presentation with speakers Bill Lane, BC Land Commission Chair, and Gary Runka, BC Land Commission General Manager.

File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka to the Canada Soil Survey Committee in Ottawa entitled "Land Capability Analysis".

Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"This is a fairly technical speech explaining the history, and mechanics of the evolving land capability analysis process in BC. It gives insight into this early period in which there was a fair amount of trial and error to develop the best techniques to display and utilize information.

From an agricultural perspective the speech notes (p.5) that compatibility between agriculture and other sectors is not high. The speech demonstrates what would emerge as an important link between Land Capability Analysis and the ALR. On page 7 "possible predictions that will result in land use conflicts but perhaps better long range planning" are insightful and in the case of this statement, reads like a tentative foreshadowing of the BC farmland preservation program that would emerge in about two years.

"(1) Agriculture - "(c) Conservation of agricultural land through rural zoning of those high capability and high productivity soils, near markets."

It is unknown if the use of the acronym C.S.S.C was intended to refer to the "Canada Soil Survey Committee", which held its eighth meeting in Ottawa in 1970, or to the "Canadian System of Soil Classification. Regardless, for more information on the subject a copy of the 1998 / 187 page report by the Soil Classification Working Group entitled, "The Canadian System of Soil Classification" can be found here: https://sis.agr.gc.ca/cansis/publications/manuals/1998-cssc-ed3/cssc3_manual.pdf "

File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka at UBC entitled "Land Capability Analysis".

Photograph depicts John Wessel holding lead reigns of two bulls in field. Hermina sits in cart behind bulls, Sarah stands on far right. A second field crosses midground behind fence, and building and forest stand in background.

Photograph features one apple tree, field in background. Handwritten annotation on recto of photograph: "This shows size of trees." It is believed that this photograph was given to Lillian & A.K. Bourchier by their niece Jean.

Handwritten caption along bottom of photograph reads: "Japanese freighters 'Yeiufuku Maru' and 'Aden Maru' in Prince Rupert Harbor to load first cargo of grain from this port, Oct. 22, 1926. Photo W.W.W." The Prince Rupert Feed Co. Coal, Grain, Hay & Feed Company building visible from Trotier's Dock.

Image depicts a pile of irrigation pipes on a dairy farm somewhere near Quesnel, B.C.

Image depicts an irrigation ditch in Lillooet, B.C.

Image depicts an irrigation ditch in Lillooet, B.C.

Image depicts what is possibly an irrigation channel somewhere in Seton Portage, B.C.

Photograph depicts Iona Campagnolo sitting and talking with an unidentified man in a home garden in Prince Rupert.

Photograph depicts Iona Campagnolo sitting and talking with an unidentified man in a home garden, possibly in Prince Rupert.

Photograph depicts Iona Campagnolo sitting and talking with an unidentified man in a home garden, possibly in Prince Rupert.

Tractor pulling the trailer is being driven by the head of the family Campagnolo posed with in front of a log cabin (see item 2009.6.1.68).

File consists of a transcript of an oral history interview with the Groenvelds.

File consists of a transcript of an oral history interview with Mr. and Mrs. McNaughton.

File consists of a transcript of an oral history interview with Marilyn Wheeler.

File consists of a transcript of an oral history interview with Luella and Ray Long.

File consists of a transcript of an oral history interview with Jack Long.

File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka entitled "Integrated Natural Resource Management" to the 4th Annual BC Mine Reclamation Symposium in Vernon, BC.

File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka at UBC entitled "Integrated Land Use - BC Experience".

Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"The speech provides insight into GGR's concept of integrated land use as opposed to multiple land use.

Agriculture noted as often the 'primary use for land designated in the ALR'. On page 5 GGR reflects on this concept when stating that integrated land use planning is a useful first step "... to indicate the primary physical capability of each landform based on inherent soil and climatic characteristics".

The speech was accompanied by slides."

Photograph depicts two horses grazing behind log fence along the beach of Stuart Lake. Forested peninsula and distant hills are visible in background. Handwritten photo caption below photograph reads: "Stuart Lake, BC".

Signature at bottom right corner reads: “Love you always! Merv”; handwritten annotation on verso reads: “Hon. P.A. ‘Flying Phil’ Gaglardi on his Ranch near Kamloops. CBC Show 1981, One of a Kind, Picture from Producer Friend Merv Compone”.

Photograph depicts two men in fenced garden, forest in background. Handwritten annotation on recto of photograph: "Yours truly and Jack [Chilmen?] picking turnips at 3rd [?] July 31 +- /[?]. Bert."

This external hard drive contains back-up files from Gary Runka and Joan Sawicki's computers. The digital files consist of personal, professional, and business records. Includes textual documents (PDF and Word format), spreadsheets (Excel), digital images (JPEG), and email backup files.

File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka entitled "Habitat, Land Use Planning, Economics and the Land Owner" to the 43rd Federal-Provincial Wildlife Conference in Regina.

Greenhouses stand in front of house in field, hills in background.

Photograph depicts a landscape shot of a grassy area with fruit-bearing trees in the background.

Image depicts a farm in Giscome, B.C.

Image depicts the dairy farm in Giscome, B.C. Map coordinates 54°03'53.3"N 122°21'22.6"W

Image depicts the dairy farm in Giscome, B.C. Map coordinates 54°03'53.3"N 122°21'22.6"W

Image depicts the dairy farm in Giscome, B.C. Map coordinates 54°03'53.3"N 122°21'22.6"W

Photograph depicts a river or lake, and opposite shore in background. A garden can be seen behind fence in foreground.

Photograph depicts hedges and creeping foliage around picket fence in foreground. House stands in background featuring enclosed porch. Handwritten annotation on recto of photograph: "Merry Xmas + Happy New Year Aunt Lillian. This is my garden in the foreground the main thing in view being the morning glories. Lots of love Jean."

Photograph depicts a Gaar Scott traction engine in working order, steamed twice a year at least. It was built by the M. Rumely Co. in Richmond, Indiana, U.S. The engine is a #16541, has 25 horse power, and 2 cylinders. It was photographed at Texaco Station in Nanton, Alberta. It was owned by Jack burrows of Nanton.

Photograph depicts the rear view of the Gaar Scott traction engine parked at Texcoc Station in Nanton, Alberta. The rear wheels have a 2'9" tread. It was used on farms for haulage, threshing, chaff cutting etc., but not plowing.

This fonds illustrates the life and work of G. Gary Runka and his contributions to the province of British Columbia. Gary Runka was the first General Manager of British Columbia's Agricultural Land Commission and helped establish the provincial Agricultural Land Reserve. After transitioning from a government career to private consulting, Runka provided comprehensive professional services through his land consultancy business, G.G. Runka Land Sense Ltd., offering land capability and environmental assessments, integrated resource management, land and water use conflict resolution, and interdisciplinary land use planning. Described by colleagues as one of BC's most highly respected agrologists and influential land use planners, Runka had a 52-year career working on (or against) an incredible number of landmark projects in British Columbia, such as the Site C Project. Gary Runka’s partner in life and vocation, Joan M. Sawicki, worked with Gary on many of these projects—as well as her own; her contributions are also represented throughout the records of this fonds.

Gary Runka's deep connection to the land is evident from his earliest papers on aerial photo interpretation, his work with the Canada Land Inventory, through his speeches and his work establishing the BC Agricultural Land Reserve and in his subsequent consulting career through G.G. Runka Land Sense Ltd. Gary Runka's influence and legacy was recognized in the tributes paid after his death, including the post-humus award as the Real Estate Foundation's "Land Champion" for 2014.

The G. Gary Runka fonds has been divided into the following nine series:
1) Personal Records
2) Speeches & Publications
3) Professional Records
4) Agricultural Land Commission
5) Land Sense Ltd.
6) Client Files
7) Maps
8) Photographs
9) Digital Records

File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka entitled "Future of Intensive Livestock Enterprises in the more densely populated areas of the Agricultural Land Reserve" for the Agricultural Engineering Branch of the BC Ministry of Agriculture.

Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"In the letter dated December 29,1978, from GGR to Pat Brisbin (Secretary, Engineering Science Lead Committee), GGR refers to the enclosure as "the notes pertaining to my submission" that presumably was made at a meeting of the Engineering Science Lead Committee on December 21,1978.

The thrust of this item is to address the matter of intensive livestock farming in areas within close proximity to urban uses - e.g. in the ALR and along the urban / rural edge.

The 'notes" include a list of twelve "considerations" that should be taken into account when dealing with livestock enterprises on the urban edge.

Six 'actors' and their responsibilities are identified including:

• The Agricultural Land Commission;
• Ministry of Agriculture;
• Local Governments;
• BC Federation of Agriculture;
• Intensive Livestock Operators; and
• Non-farming Public.

It is emphasized that there is a need for communications between these actors and a need for education to avoid conflicts but makes clear that intensive agriculture shall be retained in the ALR.

The paper ends with a series of considerations - Philosophical / Social and Political Pressure / Financing and Tenure / Environmental - Pollution / Waste Disposal.

This paper demonstrates the long standing nature of concerns associated with intensive livestock operations near urban areas and the need for "edge planning"."

Photograph depicts young fruit trees planted in fenced area with small wind mill, hills in background. Handwritten annotation on recto of photograph: "This is part of the fruit trees if you place it along side of the other one you can see the location the farm buildings are on the other side I didn't get one of them."

Image depicts an unidentified man in a greenhouse, possibly somewhere in Fort St. John, B.C.

Image depicts a group of unidentified individuals in a greenhouse, possibly somewhere in Fort St. John, B.C.

Typed caption glued to album page directly below photograph reads: "20. Vegetable Garden growing every kind of vegetable near Ft. Fraser." Photograph depicts rows within a vegetable garden. Photographer: Dominion Stock & Bond Corporation.

Firewood pile in left foreground. Buggy, wood house, and porch in background. Handwritten annotation on recto of photograph: "Wishing Aunt Lillian + Uncle Alan a very Merry Xmas and Happy New Year. Please do not criticize the stitches too closely Aunt Lillian. These snaps are some of part of my flock of 102 this year. These were snapped about a week before Thanksgiving. All the birds you see are this year's hatch. Some of them dressed 17 1/2 + 18 lbs at Thanksgiving. With love from Jean."

Barbed wire fence in foreground, shed in background.

Turkeys in foreground, shed in background.

Typed caption glued to album page directly below photograph reads: "81. Field of Oats and Potatoes near Fort Fraser." Photographer: Dominion Stock & Bond Corporation.

Photograph depicts farmstead in cleared area of forest. Plowed and fenced area on left, buildings and firewood on right.

Image depicts a street, possibly in Kamloops, which has been closed for a Sunday morning Farmer's Market.