I live in Kamloops, a city in south-central BC, Canada. Its distinct ecological history makes it stand out from other regions.[1] In particular, my house is in the Brocklehurst neighborhood, situated in the western part of Kamloops, along Thompson River’s banks and the Batchelor Hills. People have occupied Kamloops for the longest time, presumably since 8,250 years ago.[2] Indigenous people were among the earliest individuals to have lived in what is now Kamloops. Notably, the over 30 bands of Secwepemc (or Shuswap people) who had a semi-nomadic lifestyle along BC’s water bodies stayed in the region many years ago. They gave the area the word Kamloops due to its unique environmental characteristics, identifying it as where rivers meet. The description fits the aspect of the North and South Thompson rivers flowing together. The region’s adequate land and aquatic animals like elk, salmon, and deer, berries, plant roots, and fertile farmlands attracted the Indigenous people to settle there.

Historical events such as the Gold Rush influenced people from other regions worldwide to come to Kamloops. The first European arrived in 1811, with their technological and economic advancements, facilitating the area’s railroad, trading, ship transport, and industrial activities. Notably, the individuals quickly set up trading posts to trade fur.[3] Besides, after replacing the Indigenous ways of life, the western culture involved cattle ranching, an economic activity that exists to date. In the earlier days, train robberies and stagecoach transport gave Kamloops the wild west status. The incorporation of the area was another momentous historical event. Specifically, Kamloops was incorporated in 1893, with a population of 1,000 people. Today, more than 85,000 reside in the area. I am among the individuals who have benefited from the economic and social advancements in Kamloops over the years.

Despite human interference, most of Kamloops’ landscape has remained unaltered. For example, it still has the spectacular diverse landforms of sagebrush-covered hills, ravines, pristine lakes, and rugged mountains. The landscape supports and blends well with the wide-open grasslands and forests. Kamloops has a unique semi-arid ecosystem and climate, owing to the situation of its rain shadow location. Overall, the weather and landforms favor the growth and thriving of animals and plants.[4] Winter in Kamloops is a special time when powder snowfalls and average sunshine exist for about ten hours daily.

The region has strived to balance economic development and environmental conservation. For instance, most buildings, including the one I live in, have effective designs and gadgets to limit air pollution and water and energy wastage. In addition, research indicates that the city commits to the British Columbia Climate Action Charter to keep greenhouse gas emissions as low as possible. Nevertheless, Kamloops needs to improve effective waste management and protect natural resources like riparian lands, forests, and water bodies from exploitation. Furthermore, projections from the current climatic conditions in the region show that heightened temperatures will worsen droughts, cause water scarcity, result in wildfires, and threaten human and animal survival. Such aspects necessitate the area to curb the possible adversities. Nevertheless, Kamloops has made tremendous advancements to achieve the objective as its clear plan for protecting nature. Notably, the region’s zoning of its 29,300 ha total area is that about 15% will be for residential, commercial, and other mixed-uses, 50% will be for crop and animal production, and the rest for nature.[5]

The design of the city also encourages environmental conservation. For example, grassland, Douglas fir, cottonwood, and ponderosa pine ecosystems border the town. Such approaches will play a crucial role in ensuring the survival of at-risk wildlife like Great Basin Spadefoot, Western Screech Owl, Gopher Snake, Lewis’s Woodpecker, and Great Blue Heron. The authority has also highlighted that it will add extra parks and open spaces in my region.[6] The approach will foster a conducive living setting and contribute to the overall conservation. The intended extra bikeways,pathways, and greenways will also facilitate more straightforward navigation to different parts of the region. There is a higher likelihood that the structures will encourage people to engage in healthy leisure activities like walking and biking. Every evening, I will take a walk to boost my mental and physical health once the plan gets complete.

People continue realizing the essence of conserving nature amidst exploiting natural resources. Adversities such as global warming have also cautioned people about how they interact with nature. Such knowledge and efforts can make Kamloops get a higher score following a sustainability survey. Overall, the region has all the elements necessary for sustainability. For example, enhanced walkability and other navigation forms can ensure that the score remains high. Moreover, while Kamloops population has increased sharply since its incorporation in 1893, the city’s authority has remained determined to suppress encroachment on the natural environment and ensure higher living conditions. Additional efforts to conserve nature will contribute to my region’s wellness immensely.

1. William M. Denevan, “The Pristine Myth: The Landscape of the Americas in 1492,” Annals of the Association of American Geographers82, no. 3 (1992): 369.
2. “Kamloops,” Britannica, 2022, https://www.britannica.com/place/Thompson-River.
3. “Kamloops,” Britannica.
4. “About Kamloops, British Columbia,” Kamloops Property for Sale, 2012, http://www.kamloopspropertyforsale.com/about-kamloops-bc.php.

5. “About Kamloops, British Columbia,” Kamloops Property for Sale.
6. “About Kamloops, British Columbia,” Kamloops Property for Sale.