2009 Overall Sustainability Award, presented to the City of Surrey at the February 19 Gala Dinner celebration.

In September 2008 the City of Surrey adopted a Sustainability Charter that provides a framework for implementing a progressive 50-year vision for a Sustainable City. The Charter was developed with broad community input through submissions, a sustainability fair, surveys and themed workshops, all of which culminated in an interactive community workshop.
The Sustainability Charter will be used as the City’s overarching policy document to guide all other policies, plans, projects and practices. Firmly based on socio-cultural, economic and environmental pillars, the Charter addresses short-, medium- and long-term timeframes, and sets out three spheres of influence, that is: the City’s own operations, matters within the City’s legislative jurisdiction and matters over which the City has influence with external agencies. Within the Charter’s “Scope of Sustainability” there are 57 detailed items – and 32 of these have been approved by Council for completion in the coming year. Most notably, Surrey is establishing a Sustainability Office, a sustainable development checklist and the creation of a community task force to confirm sustainability indicators and targets. Other short-term actions include increasing energy security through district energy facilities in town centre plans; supporting the Climate Change Action Plan, of which Surrey is a signatory; and completing an ecosystem management study to enhance and protect Surrey’s natural areas and fish and wildlife habitats.

2009 Understanding Sustainability Award presentation
UBC Farm / Centre for Sustainable Food Systems (University of British Columbia)

The UBC Farm is Vancouver’s last working farm and a one-of-a-kind model of sustainable agro-ecology in an urban setting. This is a teaching, research and community farm – one that offers both students and the broader community an opportunity to learn about changes in food production and distribution, important to reducing GHG emissions, mitigating climate change and creating healthy local communities and economies. Over 20,000 visitors attend the farm’s markets, events and workshops annually. Initiatives include the urban Aboriginal Community Kitchen Garden Project, bringing over 500 people from the Downtown Eastside to work alongside students; a Children’s Learning Garden for elementary schools; a weekly student-run farmers market; research projects on “next generation” biofuel production, on colony collapse disorder in honey bees and on animal welfare. The Farm is also focusing on creating a diverse agro-ecosystem by creating and enhancing habitat, such as hedgerows and wetland areas alongside mature forest and cultivated fields.

2009 Caring for Ecosystems Award presentation

Novex Delivery Solutions

Novex Delivery Solutions of Richmond is the first local courier company in Canada to take steps to reduce its environmental impact, develop sustainable practices and recognize a triple bottom line. Its commitment is reflected in the company’s goal of carbon neutrality and introduction of a new digital courier service. Novex has partnered with Offsetters to provide local carbon offsets, becoming the only carbon neutral courier in Canada. The goal is to have a 100% clean fleet by 2012. More recently, Novex developed a digital courier service that offers an alternative to the traditional couriering of important documents, by allowing the documents to be digitally signed, verified and sent via the internet. Novex is proving that small- and medium-sized businesses can influence change in how business is conducted.

2009 Strengthening Communities Award, accepted by Chief Sampon of the Siska Traditions Society.

Established in 2002, the Siska Traditions Society is an independent community organization to support socio-economic opportunities, promote traditional values and protect Siska’s Aboriginal rights. The concept came out of the 1999 court case about logging in the Siska watershed, in particular a need to show the importance of the watershed. The Society focuses on developing the traditional Indigenous food sector as part of the community’s economy and a way of strengthening the community’s connection to the land. The Society’s work includes the production and sale of wild-harvested jams, teas, soaps, and salves; a traditional food gathering training and certification program; research collaborations with UBC and UNBC; creation of a traditional foods guide; and research on salmon health as it relates to the health of Indigenous Peoples. Chief Fred Sampson is acknowledged as playing an instrumental role in the success of the Siska Traditions Society.

2009 Improving Decision-Making Award presentation on February 19
Integrated Land Management Bureau (BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands)

The Integrated Land Management Bureau (ILMB) and its partners completed the Sea-to-Sky Land and Resource Management Plan in April 2008. The plan provides direction on the sustainable use of land and natural resources for an area of over one million hectares north of Metro Vancouver. The plan came out of a collaboration with First Nations, local government, the private sector and public groups. Of particular note are the government-to-government discussions between the Province of BC and First Nations, resulting in agreements and partnerships with four First Nations — Squamish, Lil’wat, In’SHUCK-ch and Tsleil-Waututh. Also key was a public planning forum that used an interest-based approach to resolving competing interests and developing recommendations. The planning process, taking place over five years, demonstrates a commitment to sustainability that will be showcased during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Short-Listed for
Understanding Sustainability Award
Adams Lake Indian Band

The Adams Lake Indian Band is working to create a shining example of sustainability living in their region through policy development, implementation of alternative energy, and steps towards large-scale organic agriculture. Choosing an organic approach to farming is intended to promote healthy living, profitable economic returns and an adherence to First Nations goals and values in stewardship of the land. The Band is now undertaking Comprehensive Community Planning, and exploring with the Province ways that clean forms of energy could be used in that project. The Band is also working on a Community Energy Plan to set the stage for cleaner forms of energy for the community as a whole. With Western Economic Diversification Canada, the Band is also exploring joint ventures for solar-thermal, wind, and geo-exchange energy options, and has established its own Alternative Energy Division  to develop a clean energy manufacturing sector.

Short-Listed for
Understanding Sustainability Award
UBC Farm / Centre for Sustainable Food Systems (University of British Columbia)

The UBC Farm is Vancouver’s last working farm and a one-of-a-kind model of sustainable agro-ecology in an urban setting. This is a teaching, research and community farm – one that offers both students and the broader community an opportunity to learn about changes in food production and distribution, important to reducing GHG emissions, mitigating climate change and creating healthy local communities and economies. Over 20,000 visitors attend the farm’s markets, events and workshops annually. Initiatives include the urban Aboriginal Community Kitchen Garden Project, bringing over 500 people from the Downtown Eastside to work alongside students; a Children’s Learning Garden for elementary schools; a weekly student-run farmers market; research projects on “next generation” biofuel production, on colony collapse disorder in honey bees and on animal welfare. The Farm is also focusing on creating a diverse agro-ecosystem by creating and enhancing habitat, such as hedgerows and wetland areas alongside mature forest and cultivated fields.

Short-Listed for
Understanding Sustainability Award
Youth Climate Leadership Alliance

The Youth Climate Leadership Alliance (YCLA) is a BC Ministry of Environment initiative designed to engage and support youth leaders who are concerned about climate change. Through outreach and public education, the YCLA helps young people between ages 17 and 29 take action in support of the province’s greenhouse gas reduction goals. There are YCLA Climate Action Facilitators throughout BC, working with local government sponsors and organizations, such as Wildsight and Evergreen, to help communities meet their Climate Action Charter goals.

Facilitators also help support the Children and Nature Reunion, an international movement to re-connect young people with nature. This includes participation of youth leaders at the upcoming “Get Outside! It’s in Our Nature” Forum in March 2009.

Short-Listed for
Caring for Ecosystems Award
Bonaparte Watershed Stewardship Society

The Bonaparte Watershed Stewardship Society has been restoring streambanks in the Cariboo region of BC for the past 10 years. This group of local landowners has completed over 70 projects, in cooperation with federal, regional and First Nations governments. Their work has prevented major bank erosion problems, reduced sediment outflow, and limited the access of livestock to sensitive riparian areas. The Society has recently developed a Watershed Sustainability Plan that engages more communities and interested parties in long-term planning.

Short-Listed for
Caring for Ecosystems Award
BC Agriculture Council

The BC Agriculture Council’s Agriculture Environment Initiatives (AEI) promotes stewardship in a number of ways. AEI is a partner in the popular Environmental Farm Program. BC farmers and ranchers interested in enhancing their commitment to stewardship are supported in completing environmental farm plans tailored to their lands, as well practical tools and financial incentives. AEI works through other partnerships, such with the BC Cattlemen’s Association in the Farmland Riparian Interface Program (FRISP). This program assists producers in managing riparian zones, both to prevent land loss through erosion and to preserve important stream habitat. AEI has partnered with the BC Milk Producers Association, UBC and industry to look into energy production such as through anaerobic digestion and pelletized manure, and is working with a number of partners on improving air and water quality in agriculture.

Short-Listed for
Caring for Ecosystems Award
Grasslands Conservation Council of BC

Although grasslands make up less that 1% of BC’s land base, they are home to more than 30% of the province’s species at risk. Grasslands are critical for many wild species and also as forage for BC’s ranching industry. Through their Planning for Change Initiative, the Grasslands Conservation Council (GCC) of BC is hosting interactive workshops to help government leaders, planners and conservationists understand common issues. Grasslands mapping has proved helpful in showing ways to accommodate growth while protecting threatened habitat. The City of Kamloops, after collaborating with the GCC, recently chose a more sustainable model of housing rather than single family dwellings, for a new development. This decision was of great importance in protecting adjacent grasslands.

Short-Listed for
Caring for Ecosystems Award
Novex Delivery Solutions

Novex Delivery Solutions of Richmond is the first local courier company in Canada to take steps to reduce its environmental impact, develop sustainable practices and recognize a triple bottom line. Its commitment is reflected in the company’s goal of carbon neutrality and introduction of a new digital courier service. Novex has partnered with Offsetters to provide local carbon offsets, becoming the only carbon neutral courier in Canada. The goal is to have a 100% clean fleet by 2012. More recently, Novex developed a digital courier service that offers an alternative to the traditional couriering of important documents, by allowing the documents to be digitally signed, verified and sent via the internet. Novex is proving that small- and medium-sized businesses can influence change in how business is conducted.

Short-Listed for
Strengthening Communities Award
Measuring up the North (North Central Municipal Association and BC Paraplegic Association)

Measuring Up the North (MUTN) is a partnership program that began in 2007 to assist over 40 North Central Municipal Association communities and regional districts in developing livable, senior-friendly, disability-friendly, universally designed and inclusive communities for all residents and visitors.  Over 250 people work through 25 communities, engaging municipal, tourism, business, conference and meeting facilities, housing, recreation, health, and cultural entities. Funded projects of MUTN include improved accessibility on the Tatlayoko Lake Trail in the Cariboo-Chilcotin, an accessible bus in Smithers and Telkwa, listening systems for hard of hearing people who visit the Fort St. John cultural centre, and a coffee shop in Vanderhoof geared for the employment of persons with disabilities.

Short-Listed for
Strengthening Communities Award
Siska Traditions Society

Established in 2002, the Siska Traditions Society is an independent community organization to support socio-economic opportunities, promote traditional values and protect Siska’s Aboriginal rights. The concept came out of the 1999 court case about logging in the Siska watershed, in particular a need to show the importance of the watershed. The Society focuses on developing the traditional Indigenous food sector as part of the community’s economy and a way of strengthening the community’s connection to the land. The Society’s work includes the production and sale of wild-harvested jams, teas, soaps, and salves; a traditional food gathering training and certification program; research collaborations with UBC and UNBC; creation of a traditional foods guide; and research on salmon health as it relates to the health of Indigenous Peoples. Chief Fred Sampson is acknowledged as playing an instrumental role in the success of the Siska Traditions Society.

Short-Listed for
Strengthening Communities Award
Social Planning and Research Council of BC (SPARC BC)

The Social Planning and Research Council of BC helps communities come together to address what are very complex community issues. SPARC promotes pillars of social sustainability, such as inclusion, accessibility, social planning, capacity building, citizen engagement, inter-culturalism and social justice. It does this through community dialogues, public education events, consulting, workshops and social research. SPARC draws attention to important social issues. Through their “Sprout: Resources for Social Change” program, they are also committed to giving communities the resources they need to become more socially sustainable. The SPARC network connects hundreds of social planning councils across BC to advance local commitments to social sustainability.

Short-Listed for
Improved Decision-Making Award
Design Centre for Sustainability (School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of British Columbia)

The Design Centre for Sustainability at the University of British Columbia recently worked with the City and District of North Vancouver in facilitating a stakeholder-driven, multi-disciplinary design charette. The charette team was broadly based, including local and regional community representatives, First Nations, municipal staff, utilities representatives and researchers, among others. The team’s goal was to develop a 100-Year Sustainability Vision for the City and key portions of the District. This is one of the first projects in British Columbia to explore how to meet provincial GHG emission targets at the municipal scale – specifically, how to reduce emissions 80% from 2007 levels by the year 2050. The project has helped set a framework for Vancouver’s North Shore to continue exploring land use and transportation-related carbon emissions. The City of North Vancouver also asked the charette team to develop planning and design strategies that could exceed the provincial targets and create a GHG-neutral community by 2107, the City’s 200th anniversary.

Short-Listed for
Improved Decision-Making Award
Integrated Land Management Bureau (BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands)

The Integrated Land Management Bureau (ILMB) and its partners completed the Sea-to-Sky Land and Resource Management Plan in April 2008. The plan provides direction on the sustainable use of land and natural resources for an area of over one million hectares north of Metro Vancouver. The plan came out of a collaboration with First Nations, local government, the private sector and public groups. Of particular note are the government-to-government discussions between the Province of BC and First Nations, resulting in agreements and partnerships with four First Nations — Squamish, Lil’wat, In’SHUCK-ch and Tsleil-Waututh. Also key was a public planning forum that used an interest-based approach to resolving competing interests and developing recommendations. The planning process, taking place over five years, demonstrates a commitment to sustainability that will be showcased during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Short-Listed for
Improved Decision-Making Award
Whistler Centre for Sustainability

The Whistler Centre of Sustainability is a participant in Whistler 2020, a collaborative vision and action plan. The plan has five priority areas: Enriching Community Life, Enhancing the Resort Experience, Protecting the Environment, Ensuring Economic Viability and Partnering for Success. Whistler 2020 receives community direction and support through annual meetings of 17 strategic task forces, involving more than 180 citizens and over 50 organizations. The Resort Municipality of Whistler has integrated priorities of the plan into departmental structures and municipal operations. The community has seen recent successes. It has, for example, exceeded its target of housing 75% of the local workforce within Whistler, adopted a community-wide composting system and partnered with key businesses to incorporate sustainability practices into their operations.

Short-Listed for
Overall Sustainability Award
Green Communities Committee (Union of BC Municipalities and BC Ministry of Community Development)

By early 2009 over 150 local governments in BC had demonstrated their deep concern about climate change by signing the Climate Action Charter, pledging to make their operations carbon-neutral by 2012 and to report on their progress.  The path forward to greenhouse gas reductions, however, is not easy. The Climate Action Toolkit (www.toolkit.bc.ca) is a comprehensive online hub to support local action on climate and energy in British Columbia and beyond. It offers practical guidance for local governments across BC to advance deep emission reductions in corporate operations and community-wide activity. The toolkit combines best practices, practical advice, success stories and news with a connection to the resources available.

Short-Listed for
Overall Sustainability Award
Lillooet Naturalist Society

“To know the Lillooet area and keep it worth knowing” is the mission of the Lillooet Naturalist Society, initially formed by five people in 2002 and now a society that is 50 members strong. The Naturalist Society has been commended as an example “of the strength that can be generated by each of us making small steps forward, one at a time, towards sustainable living.” The Society has spearheaded projects to improve public understanding of sustainability, notably the Powerhouse Foreshore Restoration Project. This project focused on public education and was undertaken in close partnership with Cayoose Creek St’at’imc First Nation and broad public and private sector support, to turn a degraded site back into a rich riparian area. Other outreach projects include the Lillooet Great Canadian Shoreline Clean-up. The Lillooet Naturalist Society supports local research and conservation projects on species at risk, hosts educational forums and maintains nesting boxes. The Society has supported community events, created a local hiking guide and involved many local organizations in its work.

Short-Listed for
Overall Sustainability Award
City of Surrey

In September 2008 the City of Surrey adopted a Sustainability Charter that provides a framework for implementing a progressive 50-year vision for a Sustainable City. The Charter was developed with broad community input through submissions, a sustainability fair, surveys and themed workshops, all of which culminated in an interactive community workshop.
The Sustainability Charter will be used as the City’s overarching policy document to guide all other policies, plans, projects and practices. Firmly based on socio-cultural, economic and environmental pillars, the Charter addresses short-, medium- and long-term timeframes, and sets out three spheres of influence, that is: the City’s own operations, matters within the City’s legislative jurisdiction and matters over which the City has influence with external agencies. Within the Charter’s “Scope of Sustainability” there are 57 detailed items – and 32 of these have been approved by Council for completion in the coming year. Most notably, Surrey is establishing a Sustainability Office, a sustainable development checklist and the creation of a community task force to confirm sustainability indicators and targets. Other short-term actions include increasing energy security through district energy facilities in town centre plans; supporting the Climate Change Action Plan, of which Surrey is a signatory; and completing an ecosystem management study to enhance and protect Surrey’s natural areas and fish and wildlife habitats.