Terrace, British Columbia, is a small city located in northwestern British Columbia. Having lived here for 22 years now, I can confidently attest to the observable ecological changes that have occurred in the area. Due to its location, being situated between many smaller communities, Terrace is considered to be a hub for industry, retail, and transportation in northwestern B.C. Being a hub city, Terrace has seen a great deal of growth since its official incorporation as a village in 1927 [1]. This growth has only increased in recent years, as the population grows, jobs are created, and new industries move in.

Dating back at least 5,000 years ago, the Ts’msyen (Tsimshian) First Nations created villages in the areas of what are now known as Prince Rupert and Terrace [3]. Due to the proximity of the second largest river in B.C., the Skeena River, the area of Terrace was, and still is, abundant in natural resources that were very appealing to the Ts’msyen. The Ts’msyen cultural practices are still a prominent part of the area, as they are well known for their beautiful art. These works of art can be found throughout the current city, in the form of paintings, carved totem poles, and long houses in neighboring villages. With the proximity of the Skeena, the Ts’msyen First Nations relied heavily on fishing, which is still a massive part of both recreational and food culture in Terrace [3]. Unfortunately, with the increase in sport fishing and other recreational activities, the fish population of the Skeena River has seen decline and is increasingly becoming more threatened. The Skeena River is also responsible for sustaining the abundance of vegetation in the area [3]. Ts’msyen tribes harvested this vegetation for food, clothing, and construction [3]. Not only was the Skeena extremely important because of its natural resources and life sustaining characteristics, it was also a prominent method of transportation for indigenous tribes, allowing for the transportation of materials from one area to the next [3].

It was in the late 1800s that settlers would first arrive in the area [1]. Among these settlers was the founder of Terrace, George Little [1]. Within the years of 1907-1911, George Little would eventually acquire roughly 435 acres of land [1]. This land is now the area of downtown Terrace [1]. Due to the geographical placement of his land, Little knew that the driving factor to create a community would be transportation and accessibility [1]. To spark initial growth in the area, and secure his goal of creating a town, Little offered the transcontinental railway a plot of free land on the condition that a railway be built through it [1]. With the introduction of a railway, George Littles land would become the dominant community of the surrounding area [1]. This growth led to George Littles 435 acres of land becoming an official village municipality in 1927 [1].

From 1927 to the early 2000s, Terrace grew as a successful forestry community [1]. The area has seen many new lumber mills and operations arrive as well as shut down. The forestry sector bolstered the economy for many years, eventually leading to a great deal of expansion. Terrace was responsible for supplying many other areas around the world with cedar poles, giving it a reputation as a major distributor [1]. To further contribute to Terrace’s growth, the military would set up a base during WWII, introducing a new highway and subsequently increasing the population [1]. This growth continued steadily as the once township expanded its borders and improved its economy. All of this growth eventually led to a new hospital, many new businesses, and improved infrastructure [1]. The product of this economical success was the official recognition of Terrace as a city in 1987 [1].

In more recent years, the steady growth of Terrace has been met with a great deal of consequence and ecological change. With the introduction of European settlers also came the introduction of invasive species [2], excess resource extraction, and geographical change. The City of Terrace website lays out a list of invasive species including Scotch Thistle, Japanese Knotweed, Chicory, English Ivy, and many more [2]. Some observable impacts that I can note in recent years is the reduction of natural resources as lots are cleared for construction and the reduction in the Skeena River. Over my 22 years of life, I have seen massive lots cleared out for new buildings, some of which remain unused but cleared, nonetheless. As an additional consequence of clearing, there has been a noticeable decline in wildlife interactions in the area. Construction also contributes to the alteration of watersheds, as pollutants are added to the water and potential redirection can occur. These pollutants also cause marine populations to see a reduction in size, hence the recent limitations to sport and recreational fishing.

Generally speaking, Terrace is an area with a great abundance of natural resources and life; however, with the introduction and intervention of European settlers, there has been a steady decline in the ecological space.

Bibliography

[1] City of Terrace. n.d. “History.” City of Terrace. Accessed August 7, 2023. https://www.terrace.ca /discover-terrace/history

[2] City of Terrace. n.d. “Invasive Species.” City of Terrace. Accessed August 7, 2023. https://www.te rrace.ca/city-services/garbage-recycling/invasive-species

[3] J.V. Powell, “Ts’msyen (Tsimshian).” Last modified April 4, 2023. https://www.thecanadianen cyclopedia.ca/en/article/Tsimshian