Sustainable Highlands


Climate Leadership Plan 

Addressing climate change is one of the most critical issues facing our community. The District of Highlands Council identified climate action as a strategic priority and the District has developed a Climate Leadership Plan to support the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. This Plan will serve as a guide to help the District of Highlands work towards realizing that goal.


​Integrated Community Sustainability Plan 

In 2010, the district embarked on a process and created an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP) that Council approved in February 2012. ICSP Presentation.  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. 


Sustainability Highlands

Our Integrated Community Sustainability Plan was approved by Council on February 20, 2012

Council resolved from the March 18, 2013 Council meeting that:
  • The District apply for an extension to the Green Municipal Fund grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and
  • The proposed amendment for alignment with Highlands' Integrated Community Sustainability Plan document be forwarded to a Committee of the Whole meeting and that the Select Committees and the Sustainability Strategy Advisory Committee members be invited to attend.

Grant Extension to November 15, 2013
Staff is pleased to advise that the grant for the project has been extended to November 15, 2013. This date is firm. The latest regular Council meeting date for Council to consider final adoption of an OCP amending bylaw is November 4, 2013.

SSAC Review Complete
Prior to the draft OCP being forwarded to a Committee of the Whole Meeting, the Sustainability Strategy Advisory Committee (SSAC) was to review the document. That process occurred during April, May, June and into the beginning of July. The only significant change was a rewording of the introduction to Chapter 5 – Energy and Greenhouse Gases. With the changes as outlined in the draft OCP, SSAC is satisfied to recommend its approval to Council.

Companion Documents to Return at a Later Date
There are two other supplementary documents coming out of this proposed OCP amendment and the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP) work: a GHG Emissions Reduction Strategy, and an Invasive Species Policy. Staff had expected to bring these to SSAC for their review with the OCP. However, time was spent only on the OCP. These documents are not part of the OCP, and so review of these documents by SSAC will occur in the future, with staff reporting back to Council after this review. Staff anticipates this to possibly occur later this year or early into 2014.

November 4, 2013 - Public Hearing



On October 7, 2013, Council received a proposed OCP-ICSP Amendment - Second Reading and Public Hearing

On September 18, 2013, The District hosted an OCP Open House

On September 23, 2013, Council received a proposed OCP-ICSP Amendment - Consultation Plan and First Reading

On September 9, 2013, Council sitting as Committee of the Whole received a presentation from the District Planner on the proposed changes to the Official Community Plan in or to align it with the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan.  Resulting from this meeting a Public Open House was scheduled for September 18, 2013 and recommendations were forwarded to the September 23, 2013 Council meeting.

On August 19, 2013, Council received a proposed amendment for alignment with Highlands' ICSP.

On March 18, 2013, Council received a proposed amendment for alignment with Highlands' ICSP.

Living Building Presentation

Ann and Gord Baird attended the Committee of the Whole (CoTW) meeting on April 23, 2012 and gave a presentation on the Living Building Challenge. View or download the Living Building Presentation


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.