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2020.4.2.1.42 · File · [July 1980]
Part of G. Gary Runka fonds

File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka entitled "The Rural-Urban Continuum: Tough Land Use Choices Ahead" for the Vernon Rotary Rural-Urban Day.

Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"This speech / paper does cover some old ground dealt with in other speeches but is nicely brought together here.

GGR outlines several competing land uses and uses agriculture as a starting point in setting the stage by noting that there are just 74,400 food producers and 2,400,000 other British Columbians.

An emphasis is placed on communications, especially since most planners and politicians are overwhelmingly urban oriented. When involved with rural planning it is important to understand the rural side of the fence and look back at the urban area rather than the other way around. This means "understanding the natural characteristics of the land resource and its ecosystems."

Seven issues are considered:

  1. Short-sighted premises - the supply of land is limitless and the individual has the right to use his
    land as he wishes without affecting others;
  2. The interdependence of man within natural systems is not fully appreciated;
  3. Reluctance of rural people to accept planning programs;
  4. Institutions and organizations reflect rural reality;
  5. Sprawl is not confined to urban areas and when it affects the rural area it can be a large problem;
  6. The dilemma of wanting data to make good land use decisions, but while we wait for information,
    bad decision are being made; and
  7. What is politically palatable?

The speech ends with the need for rural and urban communities to be mutually supportive. While farmland preservation isn't central to this speech the rural resource and planning theme is relevant."

2020.4.2.1.54 · File · Mar. 1987
Part of G. Gary Runka fonds

File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka entitled "BC Soil Conservation Issues: How Serious are They?" for a BCFA Soil Conservatiori Seminar - March 10,1987.

Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"Stressing the importance of soil conservation, this speech begins by noting that all land and water users (not just agriculture) - on-site or off-site - are involved with soil conservation.

The paper is broken into 3 sections:
(1) Framework Considerations in which the diversity of BC's landform and climate is noted. The key soil conservation issues from a provincial perspective are reviewed including:

  • erosion;
  • sedimentation;
  • acidification;
  • organic matter loss; and
  • soil compaction.

(2) Economic Considerations - the estimated loss annually in agriculture due to soil erosion is 30 to 50 million dollars.
(3) Legislation and Institutional Structure Considerations - BC is noted as having no provincial legislation that has soil conservation as its main thrust.

While the ALC Act and ALR are not directly mentioned, soil conservation is an important associated issue related to farmland preservation."

2020.4.2.1.62 · File · [June 1994]
Part of G. Gary Runka fonds

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".

2020.4.2.1.67 · File · Sept. 2009
Part of G. Gary Runka fonds

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'."
2006.18.1.12 · File · 2006-2007
Part of Aleza Lake Research Forest Society fonds

File consists of:

  • David Mills, "Aleza Lake Research Forest Historical Internship Summary" (2 Jan. 2007), 26 p. - In print and original digital .doc file
  • David Mills, "Aleza Lake Forest Experiment Station Socio-Economic Time Line 1905-1937" (2007), 68 p. - In print and original digital .doc file
  • ALRFS employment paperwork for David Mills, the ALRFS Natural Resource History Intern
  • Research notes, including a copy of a map of the town of Aleza Lake in the 1920s
2006.18.5.18 · File · 1974
Part of Aleza Lake Research Forest Society fonds

File is a Resource Folio of maps and accompanying information created by Northwood Pulp & Timber regarding Timber Sale Harvesting Licence A01847, Willow River Block, Willow River P.S.Y.U. Includes maps that depict ungulates, waterfowl, recreation areas, special influence areas, and timber types. Most of the sheets have a duplicate, some with very slight variations. The following maps are supposed to be included in the but were missing upon arrival at the Archives: fish & topography, cutting permits & roads, and soils.

2006.18.6.01 · File · [196-?]
Part of Aleza Lake Research Forest Society fonds

Photographs are panoramas taken from the Churchill BC Forest Service Lookout, located at latitude 54°04' and longitude 122°16'. The photographs were bound together and include a transparent grid that was intended to be used for locating forest fires.

2012.13.4.30 · File · 1986-2006
Part of J. Kent Sedgwick fonds

File consists of notes, clippings, and reproductions relating to the Cariboo and Northwest Digest publication. Also includes a CD-R that contains Sedgwick's index spreadsheet and accompanying documentation about the publication.

2023.7.3.26 · File · 1987
Part of Grant Hazelwood fonds

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.