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File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka entitled "BC Land Use Issues and Smiling Frogs" for the Agricultural Institute of Canada Foundation.

Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"This presentation, which was accompanied by slides (not with speaking notes) reviews five diverse land use issues of which three involve agriculture, two of which were directly linked to the ALC.

The 'Smiling Frogs' metaphor is wonderfully explained as the heat is turned up and down on land use issues and complacency is something to be avoided.

GGR was directly involved in some capacity with each of the issues reviewed and, therefore is in a position to provide an "insiders" point of view. The five issues were:

1. Burnaby Business Park (Burnaby Big Bend) - Lower Mainland - a very succinct overview is provided for this win-win accomplishment which directly involved ALC decision-making.
2. Charlotte-Alplands (West Chilcotin) - involved an exploration of forest, recreation and wilderness tourism opportunities and the identification of potential conflicts.
3. Fraser River Delta (Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust) - considers the successful coming together of agricultural and wildlife interests in an area that has both internationally significant wildlife habitat and an important part of the Pacific Flyway but also comprises one of the best agricultural areas in Canada.
4. Mid-Coast (Greenpeace and Western Forest Products) - provides insights into a very hot issue that had some success and some failure in trying to get two very opposed sides together in which the Land and Coastal Resource Management Planning process is struggling.
5. Six Mile Ranch (Kamloops) - every so often the ALC is faced with what might be referred to as an application of province wide notoriety and Six Mile Ranch assuredly fit this description. The application involved a proposal in the Kamloops area (but some distance from Kamloops) to use an area of interior grasslands ALR for urban development in the form of residential, resort and golf course. GGR sums up his feelings nicely on this land issue - "My involvement in this fiasco is indirect and that of "Citizen Runka" and perhaps more specifically as a student of government stupidity."

File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka entitled "BC's Agricultural Land Reserve - Its Historical Roots" at the Post World Planners Congress Seminar.

Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"Vancouver hosted the World Planners Congress in June 2006 and the day following the Congress the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada hosted a full day seminar entitled "Planning for Food".

GGR provided an important overview of the BC farmland preservation program. The speech begins with comments outlining the factors motivating the government of the day to enact legislation to preserve agricultural land. The presentation was then broken into three time periods including:
The Formative Years (1972-1975)
The Refinement Years (1976-1996)
The Uncertain Years (1996-????)

GGR in his summary poses some less than optimistic questions and observations. He states that despite successes "there are growing
concerns that, over its history, the focus of the program has subtly shifted - from an agency devoted to farmland preservation, to a rationing board." He sees the focus on application review as being detrimental to the Commission's role of promoting and encouraging farming in the ALR. Given this shift in direction he presents several suggestions to get the program back on track.

The presentation ends with a challenge to the people of B.C. to decide whether the next segment of the B.C. farmland preservation history is entitled 'The Rebuilding Years' or not."

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'."

Photograph is a group portrait of BC Agricultural Land Commission staff members at a Christmas party. Back row, left to right: Patti, Terry Lewis, unknown, Julie Glover, Gordon Gram, Gary Holisko, Kirk Miller, unknown, Shirley Brightman. Middle row, left to right: Eve Lew, Jim Plotnikoff (Santa). Front row, left to right: Verona Hoosen, unknown, Jane Perch, Denise Jankovich, unknown, unknown.

Photograph depicts Gary Runka in his Land Sense Ltd. office in Burnaby.

Photograph depicts Gary Runka on his farm in Baldonnel, BC.

Photograph depicts Gary Runka backpacking in South Tweedsmuir Provincial Park.

Photograph depicts Joan Sawicki and Gary Runka on an outcropping overlooking South Bentinck Arm, Great Bear Rainforest on the BC Central Coast.

Photograph depicts Gary Runka hiking on Southern Vancouver Island.

Photograph depicts Gary Runka and Joan Sawicki on a BC central coast beach.

Photograph depicts Gary Runka, Terry Lewis, and Gordon Gram at the end of a backpacking trip in the Lower Stein River Valley.

Photograph depicts Gary Runka in Ottawa, Ontario in 1971.

Photograph depicts Cayla Runka, Gary Runka, and Shaundehl Runka.

Photograph is a portrait of Gary Runka and Joan Sawicki.

Photograph is a formal portrait of Gary Runka.

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

This "The Land is Yours" film is a promotional film produced by the British Columbia Department of Agriculture in Kelowna, ca. 1968 or 1969. The film was produced by Gary Runka and hosted by Russ Richardson. Runka and Richardson provide commentary throughout the film. The film was directed by Nobert Hartig.

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 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.

Slide depicts a tree with apple blossoms in a backyard of a brown house. The yard is surrounded by a wooden fence. The neighbor's white house can be seen next door. Photographed in Kelowna, BC. Original slide description: "Apple Blossom bkyd. Kel."

Slide depicts Kelowna and Casa Loma photographed during the day from across the Okanagan Lake in the Lakeview Heights area. Original slide index description: "Kel & Casa Loma from Lakeview Hts."

Slide depicts Mission Flats from South East Kelowna. Photograph taken from an empty field and depicts a developed field and a wooden house. Mountains and the Okanagan Lake can be seen in the background. Original slide index description: "Mission Flats from SE Kel."

Slide depicts the park entranceway to Kelowna on the East side of the Okanagan Lake Bridge. Original slide index description: "Park entrance to Kelowna."

Slide depicts orchards surrounding Mount Boucherie. The Okanagan Lake and mountains can be seen in the background. Original slide index description: "Orchards & sunflowers from Mt. Boucherie."

Slide depicts a row of red and yellow tulips in front of a row of blossoming cherry trees. Original slide index description: "Tulips & Chery Blossoms Ok. Mission."

Slide depicts a close up of two peach trees blossoming in someone's yard. Original slide index description: "Close up of Peach Blossoms, Casa Loma."

Slide depicts a close up of cherry blossoms on a branch. Original slide index description: "Cherry blossoms Kel."

Slide depicts a close up of peach blossoms on a branch. Original slide index description: "Peach blossoms Shanboolard."

Slide depicts peach trees blossoming in an orchard. Original slide index description: "Peach blossoms Shanboolard."

Slide depicts cherry trees blossoming in an orchard. Original slide index description: "Cherry blossoms Lakeview Heights."

Slide depicts peach trees blossoming in an orchard. Original slide index description: "Peach blossoms Lakeview Heights."

Slide depicts an apple tree blossoming in a backyard. The yard is surrounded by a wooden fence. Original slide index description: "Apple blossoms Kelowna."

Slide depicts peach trees blossoming in an orchard. Original slide index description: "Peach blossoms Casa Loma."

Slide depicts a camel and two llamas in an enclosed pasture. The photograph was taken in Kaleden, BC. Original slide index description: "Camel & Llamas in pasture, Kaleden."

Slide depicts a close up of a camel behind a fence. The photograph was taken in Kaleden, BC. Original slide index description: "Camel, Kaleden."

Slide depicts two eagles in an enclosure. The photograph was taken in Kaleden, BC. Original slide index description: "Eagles, Kaleden."

Slide depicts a mixture of bighorn sheep and fallow deer around a trough. The photograph was taken in Kaleden, BC. Original slide index description: "illegible sheep & fallow deer, Kaleden."

Slide depicts a close up of a lion lying on wood shavings in an enclosed area. The photograph was taken in Kaleden, BC. Original slide index description: "lion, Kaleden."

Slide depicts a close up of a llama eating hay. The photograph was taken in Kaleden, BC. Original slide index description: "Llama, Kaleden."