File contains letter to Miss Collison from Dr. Robert Sayson, UBC Department of Medicine regarding the post mortem study conducted on her sister Muriel (11 Oct. 1988); program from the Celebration of Life held for Miss Collison on 29 April 2006; an obituary re: the life and death of Miss Collison; and a newspaper article regarding the sale of W.E. Collison’s First Nations art collection to the UBC Museum of Anthropology by his daughters Joyce and Muriel in 1960.
With the assistance of the Yukon Geological Survey, Dr. Paul Sanborn was able to visit the terminus of the Klutlan Glacier, a major outlet glacier which originates in the Alaska portion of the St. Elias Mountains. The stagnant terminus has a thick cover of debris, including a large component of White River tephra, providing enough soil material to support a boreal forest. Field work occurred on July 8, 2007, and results were published as:
Sanborn, P. 2010. Soil formation on supraglacial tephra deposits, Klutlan Glacier, Yukon Territory. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 90: 611-618. https://doi.org/10.4141/cjss10042
File consists of an original draft copy of the "Kokanee Glacier Park Master Plan", as well as the "Background Report for Kokanee Glacier Park Master Plan" and the "Kokanee Glacier Park Master Plan: Public Handout and Questionnaire". These items are accompanied by correspondence related to the Master Plan.
Item is an original "Kwadacha Park 1976" trip report by W.G. Hazelwood. Includes original photographic prints pasted into the report. Also includes a "Kwadacha Wilderness Park Proposal" accompanying map.
File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka at UBC entitled "Land Capability Analysis".
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 "
This presentation transcript accompanies the 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 presentation was given by Bill Lane, BC Land Commission Chair, and Gary Runka, BC Land Commission General Manager.
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:
- Land and water use planning is fundamental in determining the economic opportunity and environmental quality of the future;
- Good rural planning demands good urban planning and the race for space will accelerate; and
- 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 speech given by Gary Runka entitled "Land Resource Issues in BC" at a UBC seminar.
Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"This speech / paper asks the question, "Are we in fact making any real progress towards resolving .... land resource conflicts...?"
A discussion is introduced that land resource issues are rural planning issues and as such they impact rural people and their lifestyle and thus translate to lifestyle issues. GGR suggests that planners are urban oriented and they should stand on the rural side of the fence and look back at the urban areas rather than the other way around.
Too often in government an agency's interests are paramount and insist that others tag along as long as they don't interfere with the prime use thrust. A concern is also expressed with "...too many waves of single use legislative power coming to the fore..." It is noted that the "...goal of any regulatory program should be to protect important public interests."
The paper concludes by considering a few current land resource issues including:
- Forestry-Agriculture
- Grazing land tenure transfer
- Fisheries - Agriculture - Forestry - Urban
- Energy - Agriculture
- Urban-Rural
- Energy-Lifestyles
- Wildlife - Recreation - Energy
- Agriculture and Recreation Lands - Foreign Ownership and Influence
While farmland preservation isn't central to this speech the rural resource and planning theme is relevant."
File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka to the Agricultural Institute of Canada Land Use Committee entitled "Land Use Control and Jurisdictional Rights".
Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"This is a first draft position paper written by GGR was developed for the Agricultural Institute of Canada, Land Use Committee.
The paper notes that attitudes are shifting from land being considered as a commodity to considering land as a natural resource. There are several references to governmental relationships, the inability to count on local governments to preserve agricultural land and the need for a federal land use policy supporting farmland preservation.
The use of a zoning tool as an effective means to preserve agricultural land is explored. The paper makes a strong case for there being no legal need for compensating land owners for regulatory land use zoning.
Included with the package are two letters written by GGR (November 7,1974) sent to Jim Lore (Alberta) and Steve Hart (Ottawa) requesting their review of the paper and input. A copy of the finalized paper, which may have been a jointly authored paper, is not included and it is not known if the paper was eventually published by the Agricultural Institute of Canada."
File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka to the Canadian Council on Rural Development entitled "Land Use Control".
Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"This is another important document.
GGR covers several points including a discussion of the impact of changes to rural areas from the food producer's perspective. He notes that local governments are not well positioned to effectively achieve farmland preservation - but there is a need for a coordinated approach.
The point is made that good rural planning depends on good urban planning.
A summary is made of efforts at rural planning and farmland preservation in other North American jurisdictions. An example is outlined of the complexity of overlapping land use controls and returns to a common theme - "merging the reality of land as a commodity with the ethic of land as a natural resource"."
File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka to the BC Provincial Seed Fair in Fort St. John entitled "Land Use Planning and the Farmer".
Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"Given the title and the audience, this speech reads like a wake-up call to farmers to pay attention to land use planning issues and get involved. Despite the available copy of the speech appearing as a draft the nature of the topic - farmers needing to get involved in land use planning - establishes a point that GGR obviously feels is important in the overall effort to preserve agricultural land.
The speech includes several examples of land use planning that can affect the agricultural industry including:
- Rural zoning by local governments and the provincial ALR zoning;
- Hydro-electric planning (a reference in all probability to Site C);
- Preparation of regional, community and particularly settlement plans;
- Industrial land development strategies;
- Federal fisheries legislation;
- Transportation planning;
- Crown land lease proposals;
- Water resources;
- Various other land use initiatives involving wildlife habitat, open space recreation, historic and archeological sites; and
- Taxation and assessment policy
Stapled to the original typed speech is a set of hand written notes (not copied) that are largely identical to the typed version. The typed version does have a few mysterious blanks but when checking the handwritten version the blanks may simply represent illegibility problems with the hand writing at the time of typing. Given these blanks, this may in fact have been a first draft of the speech with a cleaner copy typed up prior to delivery."
File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka entitled "Land Use Planning and the Nursery Trades" to the BC Nursery Trades Association.
Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"The primary thrust of the speech is to outline several pieces of legislation and other land uses that may have an impact on the nursery trade use of land including:
- Federal Fisheries Act;
- Municipal & regional district bylaws and plans;
- Agricultural Land Commission Act;
- Soil Conservation Act;
- Water Act and Floodplain Regulation;
- Forest and Range Acts; and
- Your neighbours changing land-use activities.
GGR comments (p 2) that, "...exclusion (of land from the ALR) is only allowed on lands not capable of agricultural use where no impact would be effected on adjacent farmlands, or where absolutely no alternative for the alternate use proposed exists." This clarifies that land in the ALR, even if it is proven unsuitable for agriculture, may remain in the ALR if its exclusion impacts adjacent farmland. On the other hand, pressure on the ALR is acknowledged where claims can be successfully mounted that no alternative exists for a proposed use, demonstrating the continual vulnerability of the ALR and the need to be able to clearly assess claims of "no alternative".
Foreshadowing the need for agricultural area planning, GGR suggests (p. 3) that it is important that, "... attempts be made to encourage local agricultural use planning so as to reduce conflicts within agriculture and with your urban neighbours."
File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka entitled "Land Use Planning as it affects the Vegetable Industry".
Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"GGR gives this speech as a representative of the B.C. Land Commission and is directed at vegetable industry reps.
The ALR is mentioned a number of times and it is noted that only 1 - 2% of BC is suitable for vegetable production. Several examples (8) of pressures on agricultural land are given.
GGR draws his audience's attention to the impact of speculation when stating:
"Substantial capital gain from land development or speculation unfortunately can to some degree subvert even the best planning. .... Fortunately, this type of speculation is now on somewhat shaky ground because of the Land Commission Act in B.C."
The overall message is that vegetable producers should involve themselves in land use planning."
File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka entitled "Landscape Level Planning - Fitting People into the Watershed" at the Stewarding Our Watersheds Conference.
Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"The first half of this speech takes a very broad sweep in defining landscape units and the provincial planning system. In the second section "Entering the People Use Maze", the paper focuses more locally on the Salmon River watershed and discusses the findings of a survey associated with the Langley Rural Plan.
The survey results demonstrated that for both rural and non-rural residents in Langley, 'the country atmosphere' was why they had chosen to live in Langley. Residents also disagreed with the statement that it was unpleasant to live in an agriculture area.
The third section - "Techniques of Integrating Balanced, Sustainable People Use" into the Watershed" considers eight tools that will assist achieving "landscape level" planning, one of which is the ALC Act.
Besides these direct references to agriculture, country atmosphere and ALC Act; the Langley Rural Plan drew heavily on the survey that GGR refers to and the Plan, which was largely comprised of agricultural lands, was inspirational in the development of the Commission of work "Planning for Agriculture".
Historically interesting letter from George Hills (1816-1895), the first Anglican bishop of British Columbia (in 1860-1892). The letter contains an extensive quote from the letter by Rev. James Reynard, who built the famous St. Saviour church in Barkerville. Written in the midst of the construction, the letter describes the process: "I have just had an interesting letter from Cariboo in which Mr. Reynard details his recent trials, his difficulty in getting his church built which some have opposed - he had however been at last rewarded by being able to make a start. He says "as a result of all these efforts we do start tomorrow. I am paying two clever builders ten dollars (2 £) a day each to superintend, make foundations & doors, windows, and on Tuesday next I call "a Bee". The freshet has put many men out of work & I have had many offers of free labour. I am under obligation to pay 500 dollars (100 £) as soon as possible for the lumber & the baland 1545 dollars (310 £) by installments. All the church proceeds will be devoted to reduce this and therefore I shall still be almost beggared for another year. I hope soon to send you a sketch of the Church among the Golden Hills." This letter is dated Oct. 10..." Hill also expresses his gratitude "for the kind mention of the Columbia Mission in your interesting work & for the response which you name. It will do if you send the amount you have received to us at the end of the year."
Letter is addressed 70 Upper Berkeley St., London, 23 November 1869.
Item is a photocopied report by T.C. Reid entitled "Liard River Hotsprings Park Natural History Observations". The report compiles natural history observations of Liard River Hotsprings, including a water chemistry report, weather observations, botanical report, ostrich fern growth, amphibian report, mammal report, bird report, and map and photograph orientation.
Item is an original Parks Branch report by A.T. Bergerud and H.E. Butler entitled "Life History Studies of Caribou in Spatsizi Wilderness Park 1977-78".
Document is a research installation layout map for the Holy Cross Creek site of the Sulphur stable isotope tracer study (E.P. 886.15).
Document is a research installation layout map for the Kenneth Creek site of the Sulphur stable isotope tracer study (E.P. 886.15).
This born-digital "Lucille Mountain soils" document provides a description and basic data for the Lucille Mt. pedon.
File contains various correspondence regarding 1964 annual cuts for sawmills in the area, memoranda consisting of various administrative issues such as the 1973 amalgamation of Purden Lake and Aleza Lake, and the sale of lumber previously infested by spruce beetles. File also contains 1972 applications to purchase Crown timber and road use, as well as 1966 logging permits.
The eastern flank of the Mackenzie Mountains has a complex history of multiple glaciations by both the Laurentide and Cordilleran ice sheets, recorded in thick sequences of glacial sediments that were documented at 3 locations (Katherine Creek, Little Bear River, Inlin Brook) by:
Duk-Rodkin, A., R.W. Barendregt, C. Tarnocai, and F.M. Phillips. 1996. Late Tertiary to late Quaternary record in the Mackenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories, Canada: stratigraphy, paleosols, paleomagnetism, and chlorine-36. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 33 (6): 875-895. https://doi.org/10.1139/e96-066
Of the 3 sites, the exposure on Inlin Brook, a tributary of the Keele River, was the least well-documented, so in summer 2004 Dr. Paul Sanborn joined a field party of the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) based at Tulita, NWT, and was given helicopter support to visit Inlin Brook (August 5-8). A brief visit was also made to the Little Bear River site.
On August 9-10, Sanborn joined Alejandra Duk-Rodkin (GSC) and Rene Barendregt (U Lethbridge) in helicopter-assisted field work at sites in the Franklin Mountains and elsewhere east of the Mackenzie River.
This born-digital document consists of field observations for Mackenzie Valley sites N04-06 to -08, Aug. 9-10.
Item is an original BC Forest Service "Management Manual" that was published circa 1955 and amended many times up to 1973.
File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka entitled "Managing Conservation Lands to keep Nature's Pulse Beating" for the BC Trust for Public Lands.
Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"GGR's was the opening address at the workshop. While this speech is focused on the issue of Best Management Practices (BMP), comments about the ALR are woven into the presentation. This copy of the speech appears to be a draft version and includes several hand-written amendments with some points crossed out.
In the opening, mention is made of the grounding that the 2008 document "Taking Nature's Pulse: the Status of Biodiversity in British Columbia" has provided the workshop.
This speech provides an historical overview of the broader provincial context of BMP's drawn from 40 years of GGR's experience. The following is a selection of his comments:
- BMP's are part of the "tool kit" of policy and management mechanisms that have been experimented with over the decades to try to rationalize human economic activities with the needs of other species and overall ecosystem well-being.
- Historically the 1960s and 70s Canada Land Inventory program that emerged from the Resources for Tomorrow conferences was a significant benchmark mapping land capability for agriculture, forestry, recreation, wildlife and waterfowl use (of which GGR was centrally involved).
- Within BC, using the CLI, the 1973 Land Commission Act authorized the establishment of a provincial zone to protect those sacred lands with the biophysical capability to grow food.
One point was not used in the speech (crossed out). The speaking notes, however, include a reference to the Land Commission legislation originally having a complimentary conservation objective that had since been removed. GGR makes the point that still having the conservation function may have contributed positively to current struggles to preserve natural habitat. Regardless, it is noted that the concept of the ALR has been a unique, effective and, most importantly a lasting management practices tool for conserving lands identified as biophysically significant.
A further selection of points made:
- We need to evolve BMP tools that are adaptable yet resilient in the face of changing knowledge, climate change and ever-evolving social priorities.
- Traditionally, planning has been most associated with local governments in the form of official community, regional and neighbourhood plans and as an outgrowth of the ALR - Agricultural Area Plans.
- Environment Farm Planning - by agreeing to engage in the conservation planning process, participating farmers and ranchers have qualified for funding to carry out farm improvements benefitting conservation and biodiversity.
- The work of the Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust is outlined (p. 8)
- "My final words of wisdom are - Be focused and be pragmatic"
- "Many of the best intentions to standardize land management practices for conservation lands have been great on paper - but never quite make it on the ground."
- And, if BMP are not implemented effectively on the ground, they cannot play the critical role they need to play in 'keeping nature's pulse beating'."
File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka to the Agricultural Institute of Canada entitled "Managing Our Land Resources for Survival and Pleasure".
Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"This speech is aimed at land use planning and planners, and GGR provides his definition of "ecology" which includes:
"...the basic characteristics of the land - its geology, soils, climate, vegetation, and animal life, including the devil that does the most damage, man. It also includes the interrelationships within these basic characteristics and of course this is where the word "complexities" comes in. There are no two places where these components combine in exactly the same manner and each ecological unit, if you like, is unique."
GGR mentions the importance of considering options.
This package includes a copy of the speech as well as a second, 2 page document, with the same title in which GGR is noted as 'Manager of the BC Land Commission'. This second document is largely a summary of the more formal speech."
File consists of photocopied maps of Island Cache (Cottonwood Island) and Prince George.
Item is a marking manual compiled by D.R. Glew, Assistant Forester.
Item is an original issue of British Columbia Forest Service Research Notes on "Marking of Spruce in the Fort George Forest District" by L.A. deGrace, E.W. Robinson, and J.H.G. Smith.
Item is "Memorandum regarding Future Logging at Aleza Lake" by F.S. McKinnon.
File consists of a panel moderation talk given by Gary Runka entitled "Methods of Resolving Land Use Conflicts in BC".
"Mineralogy of clay and sand fractions of soils developed from till, glaciofluvial and glaciolacustrine deposits in central interior British Columbia" was a preliminary internal report that provides some background to Arocena and Sanborn's regional soil mineralogy study, as well as a compilation of the mineralogical data.
The key results from this work were later published as:
J.M. Arocena and P. Sanborn. 1999. Mineralogy and genesis of selected soils and their implications for forest management in central and northeastern British Columbia. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 79: 571-592. https://doi.org/10.4141/S98-07
This Ministry of Forests internal memorandum of 30 June 1997 from Paul Sanborn to Regional & Research Branch soil scientists provides comparison of Morgan's extractant and BaCl₂ for cations, using the 57 samples from the regional soil mineralogy study.
The key results from the study were later published as:
J.M. Arocena and P. Sanborn. 1999. Mineralogy and genesis of selected soils and their implications for forest management in central and northeastern British Columbia. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 79: 571-592. https://doi.org/10.4141/S98-07
File contains listing of items donated by Rose Margaret Davies to the Ridley Home Archives in 2008 that documented accomplishments of Margaret West; handwritten notes regarding place names along the North Pacific Coast and one page from an issue of the Monthly Reporter, No. 9, September 1873 published by the Church Missionary Society.
The Miscellaneous Forest History Material series consists of material created or used by various logging and pulp mill companies. Includes forms, union materials, maps, plans and other records related to the forestry sector in British Columbia. The series also comprises publications related to equipment and employee training, and correspondence and memorandum developed by B.C. Chemicals, a division of Canfor.
File consists of office files containing individual copies of General Orders # 311-317; records related to BC Police Training School 1937; Calvary Drill instruction; an additional copy of Index to General Orders Nos. 1 – 271; and short histories of the BC Provincial Police.
This series consists of material created by various societies, companies, railways, unions and government branches for the use and instruction of railway companies and employees. Includes publications, time tables, training materials, union materials, forms, maps and plans related to rail operations in North and South America, but predominately related to Canadian railway operations. Also comprises material created by several American and Canadian railways and transportation companies.
Document prepared by P. Grilz contains species lists and UTM coordinates for 10 sampling locations for the M-K-2001-2002-81 Seed Project.
Item is an original "Mount Edziza Park Wildlife Report: An Argument for Nature Conservancy Status" report by W.G. Hazelwood, Parks Biologist. Includes original photographic prints pasted into the report. Also includes an accompanying "Mt. Edziza Wildlife Survey" from October 13, 1979.
Item is a photocopied "Mountain Goat Surveys in the Tatlatui, Spatsizi and Mt. Edziza Provincial Park Areas, British Columbia" report by David F. Hatler (Wildeor) and W.G. Hazelwood (Alpenglow Resources).
Item is an original report by Grant Hazelwood entitled "Mt. Assiniboine Park Trip, August 19-22, 1974". Includes original print photographs pasted into the report. The objective was to sample the lakes fishery at the south and north ends of the park and to examine some grizzly bear habitat on the Simpson River and examine the condition of guiding cabins in the same area.
Item is a photocopied excerpt from an issue of "The Forestry Chronicle" entitled "Natural Reproduction Following Fires in Central British Columbia" by E.H. Garman.
This document is an unpublished draft manuscript of a Northern British Columbia history annotated bibliography. The document is based overwhelmingly on research into secondary sources published prior to 2016; more recent sources are not included. The annotated bibliography includes the following sections:
- Historiography
- Settlement Histories
- Alexander Begg's History of British Columbia
- R.E. Gosnell
- E.O.S. Scholefield
- Regional History
- New Histories
- Environment
- Northern History
- Ancient History
- Bibliography
Item is a poorly photocopied version of Percy Barr's "Northern Interior Forest Experiment Station Progress Report". Location of original is unknown.