Policy Recommendations
The following list reflects a summary of policy recommendations to be considered for increasing sustainable land use and food production in Kamloops:
Extend the concept of “complete neighbourhoods” to include:
- Generous, integrated green space for recreation, natural processes, and gardens,
- The incorporation of ecosystem services into every aspect of a neighbourhood.
- Ecosystem systems include natural and cultural dimensions of 1) providing resources (e.g., fresher air, shade, sound barriers, productive trees and gardens), 2) regulating natural functions (e.g., heat, water cycling, and nutrient cycling, 3) cultural resources (e.g., recreation, meaningful places, such as sacred spaces, and 4) supporting functions (e.g., soil formation, pollination, and migration between ecosystems).
- Access to recreational and productive green space, and to healthy food in retail stores and restaurants as a necessary component
Update all existing land use policies to explicitly address their impact on ecosystem services:
- Non-built-up land should not automatically be seen as non-urban land.
- Urban agriculture within and near the built core should be seen as urban activity.
Specifically highlight the resource provisioning and cultural role of ecosystem services to include food and other agricultural production for personal and small-scale commercial use:
- Biodiverse gardening and urban agriculture should be seen as ecosystem services.
- Preserve green space access, sunlight access, and dark night sky access.
Protect current agricultural/ecological land:
- Tax benefits/subsidies for farmers and traditional stewardship
Promote new agricultural development and infrastructure:
- Offer tax incentives similar to those for commercial/residential developments
- Offer tax incentives for single and multi-family dwellings that grow food instead of lawns
