Climate & Environmental Action

Climate and Environmental Action

The City’s first arborist was hired to advance urban forest management.

18th annual stewardship honours recognized people working to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the City’s natural areas.

Sea level rise

In March, citizens shared their thoughts on how to adapt to sea level rise. The City has completed technical assessments of the marine and river shores and incorporated community values into proposed strategies for adapting over time.

More at campbellriver.ca/ rising-seas

Wetland restoration

With construction complete to restore a wetland in Jubilee Heights, five years of monitoring and measuring results begins soon. Late this summer, work with heavy equipment put final touches on restoring the area that had previously been filled in. Ranging from larger areas of open water to small deep pools and shallow depressions, habitat variety is vital for wetland plants and creatures. Natural generation from seeds and stockpiled plant remains boosts the wetland’s potential. Parkway Properties must register a conservation covenant on the 2.1 hectares of forest land near the west property boundary. The City’s development permit also specifies that a conservation covenant be placed on the wetland.

The City is updating maps with environmentally sensitive areas.

Power Down

With support from BC Hydro, the City hosted a free workshop on home energy efficiency upgrades and renovations, and energy use considerations when buying a house.

The City also launched three animated videos highlighting how to improve home energy efficiency. The videos illustrate common problems, solutions and ways to get information – including how to build more energy-efficient homes with minimal increases in construction costs.

Videos at youtube.com/ cityofcampbellriver.

Power Down Continued

The City is a partner in the Transition 2050 Residential Retrofit Acceleration Project. Grants from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities will help participating communities double carbon emission reductions through residential retrofits by 2021. This program complements Power Down Campbell River, which offers $150 rebates for home energy evaluations and $2,000 rebates for converting to air source heat pumps. More information on rebates and incentives at efficiencybc.ca

Time to get growing

In March, Campbell River’s third Seedy Saturday hosted a seed swap, plant sale, demonstrations and more than 25 vendors from all over Vancouver Island.

Gardens and Art

Sixteen spectacular gardens opened their gates to visitors during the Campbell River Garden and Art Tour in July – showcasing garden retreats, a riverside paradise and a farm in the city. Sponsors were: CR Garden Club, Patrons of the Arts, Comox Strathcona Waste Management and the City.

Green burial

A new green burial meadow is available at Elk Falls Cemetery.

Regional composting facility

In November, the Comox Strathcona Waste Management Board approved building a regional organics composting facility at the Campbell River Waste Management Centre (6300 Argonaut Road). A composting facility will process organics collected from more than 30,000 homes in Campbell River, Comox, Cumberland and Courtenay and extend landfill service. Composting also reduces greenhouse gas emissions produced by buried organic material, a key contributor to global climate change. Food and yard waste make up about 30 per cent of the total waste sent to landfill in the region. Community members will have opportunity to learn more about the project and provide input – in person and online.

More at www.cswm.ca/ regionalorganics

Repair Café

Campbell River’s seventh Repair Café was held in November. Eight volunteer fixers worked on dozens of items people brought to the Sportsplex. About 70 per cent of the items were repaired, keeping them out of the landfill.

Bike Skills Park phase one completed. Big thanks to community champions!