Official Community Plan - Proposed Amendment for Alignment with Highlands' Integrated Community Sustainability Plan - to Council March 18, 2013
In 2010, the District embarked on a process and created an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP) that Council approved in February 2012. Highlands’ ICSP espoused fundamental values and future visions regarding sustainability for the community. It also created a looping feedback/monitoring system using indicators by which to measure the District’s progress of its own sustainability goals. To bring the values and vision of the ICSP to the forefront of District policy and decision-making, the Official Community Plan (OCP) needs to be brought into alignment with the ICSP.
Memo | ICSP/OCP Draft | Draft Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Strategy | Draft Invasive Species Policy
Living Building Presentation to CoTW - April 23, 2012
Ann and Gord Baird attending the Committee of the Whole meeing on April 23, 2012 and gave a presentation on the Living Building Challenge. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation may be viewed here| Link
Sustainable Highlands
Our Integrated Community Sustainability Plan was approved by Council on February 20, 2012
Sustainable Highlands Full Document / Sustainable Highlands Summary Document
Approving Sustainable Highlands - What does it mean? Presentation
Timeline:
Frequently Asked Questions about the Sustainability Strategy
How it came about
In October 2010 Council authorized the start of an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP) based on the work of the 2009 Sustainability Task Force. For a look at 2009 work see: Sustainability Task Force Final Report and Recommendations/ Synopsis
In November 2010 Council established a Sustainability Strategy Advisory Committee (SSAC)
SSAC Members
SSAC Term of Reference
The Highlands Sustainable Future Fair was held on November 19 and 20, 2010. Thank you to everyone who participated.
Presentation
In January 2011 the Sustainability Strategy Advisory Committee (SSAC) has been reviewing how actions suggested by the Sustainability Task Force (STF) will achieve success by 2030. The next step is to define measurable indicators which will be reviewed regularly to indicate progress toward defined success points. The ICSP will then be integrated with the Official Community Plan (OCP). The path to sustainability can then be measured annually.
Highlands Sustainability Group on Facebook
- Facebook group has been formed for Highlanders to share ideas,
experiences and thoughts, with lots of how-to information. Topics include local food and water, bees, maintenance, farm animals,
climate change, sustainable energy alternatives, native birds and plants, composting, art, music, biodiesel, gardening, kids, heritage, lake stewardship, invasive Species and anything else related to
sustainability. The group has also been used as a networking tool to arrange carpooling, hikes, work parties, crop trading and sharing, and social events. It may also prove useful in emergencies. The group is only available to Highlands residents, and cannot be viewed by non-members. For more information, contact Ann Baird.
Highlands Farmer's Market - the Highlands Farmer's Market runs from May through to September on the last Sunday of each month from 10am - 1pm at the Caleb Pike grounds. This is your chance to replenish your store of wonderful homemade jams, jellies and canned goods, buy some baked goods, find bedding plants for the garden or a bouquet to take home, and discover fine handmade crafts.
Other Initiatives...
The Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP) is a conditional grant program that provides funding to Climate Action Charter (Charter) signatories equivalent to 100 percent of the carbon taxes they pay directly. This funding supports local governments in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move forward on achieving their Charter goals. One of the grant’s conditions is to publicly report on the Highlands:
- community actions and targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and
- corporate actions on becoming carbon neutral, or on how it achieved carbon neutrality for that reporting year.
Highlands’ CARIP Public Report for 2011.
For information about the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP), please see the Province’s web site at: http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/greencommunities/carip.htm
Affordable Warmth BC (AWBC) provides free information and support in accessing energy efficiency grants, financing and other energy efficiency-related services. AWBC provides a comprehensive web based search tool for energy efficient renovation and construction grants, rebates, subsidies, tax rebates, and other incentives available in BC, including financing and incentives for the affordable housing sector. Currently there are more than 100 energy and water rebates and grants available across BC, with updates being added regularly.
BC Hydro Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP)
Free Home Energy Upgrades for People on Limited Budgets. Insulation, fridges, draft proofing, and more.
Call 1-877-431-9463
Energy Grants for Homeowners
LiveSmart BC grants for home energy saving upgrades to insulation, windows, woodstoves, and more. Visit www.citygreen.ca or call 250-381-9995.
