Local and Environmental History

Orchards Walk, Valleyview (Kamloops, BC)

Kamloops is often associated with sagebrush hills, dry summers, and ski lodges courtesy of Sun Peaks. However, tucked away in Valleyview, near the edge of the North Thompson River, there is a community named not for its current usage, but for what the land once held. Orchards Walk is that neighborhood. Kamloops is not known for its orchards, but they used to flourish in this community some time ago.

I have only lived in Kamloops for a short while, so exploring this community now is interesting, and learning about its environmental history is fascinating.

Before settlers arrived and colonization, this region was home to the Secwepemc Nation. The Secwepemc people lived off the land in this region and had various ways to sustain their way of life. Given their extensive knowledge of fishing, harvesting, and burning techniques, the Secwepemc people thrived in the Kamloops area for thousands of years.[1] The North Thompson River is a lifeline as the river supports salmon runs that have shaped the dietary needs for the Secwepemc people for years. Given the location of Kamloops, the area was filled with elk, beaver, deer, berries, various trees, and a sustainable grassland. This land was perceived as untouched by settlers when, in fact, that was not the case. The Secwepemc people have thrived here based on managing the ecosystem with practices such as selective harvesting and controlled burnings.[2] These practices are credited with sustaining biodiversity and ensuring invasive species were kept at bay; however, settlers would see these lands as “wild unmanaged areas”.

In the early days of settlement, the colonial expansion into the interior was beginning. European settlers transformed the landscape and caused irreparable damage. Most of the riverside land became farmland due to its fertile soil, and Valleyview derives its name from this era.[3] Due to the small hills and proximity to the river, Valley View became an ideal area for orchards, agriculture, and livestock. This resulted in the destruction of native vegetation to pave the way for irrigation fields. In those early days, logging also became a major factor in the early economy. Timber was gathered from forests in the surrounding areas to supply projects such as the construction of the city of Kamloops and the Canadian Pacific Railway.[4] Logging caused erosion and destroyed tree coverage in the surrounding areas, and this erosion sparked runoff into nearby waterways. This impacted the environment in significant ways, including the salmon population and the surrounding land.

Diving into the 20^th century, Kamloops has expanded tenfold. The expansion is running along the river, including the far reaches of the Valleyview area. Orchard’s Walk, which had held fruit farms in the past, had given way to urban development, and many housing projects were underway. This development further implicated the ecosystem as farmland was replaced with apartments, and walking trails were replaced with paved roads for cars. However, there have been steps to mitigate the impact on the ecosystem with positive changes. These changes include stormwater retention ponds and rain gardens to help when there is heavy rain.[5] There have also been areas implemented to help recharge groundwater. These small victories for the ecosystem offer a positive insight into how urban development can be conducted while minimizing overall damage to the ecosystem.

The environment has changed substantially in the last 200 years. If we were placed in Valleyview during that time, there would have been lots of wildlife. At that time, elk, bears, deer, beavers, muskrats, and an abundance of salmon called the area home. However, while there is the occasional sighting of a deer or bear, it is nothing compared to what it once was. With the introduction of dams and pollution, no one will truly see what the Secwepemc people did all those years ago.[6] From the herds of elk to the free-flowing salmon runs, today’s world has altered how nature must act.

The most significant ecological issue in Valleyview is the presence of invasive plants. Every walking trail is teeming with Himalayan blackberries and yellow flag iris.[7] These plants reduce habitat quality for native vegetation and eventually crowd out the native plants. There are efforts to combat these invasive plants; however, as local groups and city planners are making plans to replant native vegetation in key areas. This native vegetation includes willows, red-osier dogwoods, and bunchgrass. There are also community initiatives to help with education and promote sustainability, including composting programs and community gardens.[8] These programs are attractive to people who understand Kamloops’ ever-changing battle with the environment and choose to respect the native ecological perspective.

The most fascinating discovery I made whilst researching for this paper is how many layers there are to the development of Valleyview. Currently, Valleyview is like any other suburban neighborhood but with a deeper dive one can discover a vast history of ecological timeframes. From Secwepemc stewardship to colonial disruption, and currently, in the community I live in, there is a lot of history in these streets. There are reminders of each time frame as the cottonwoods are from another era, the blackberry bushes are a representation of invasive species, and finally, the community gardens are sustainability programs that fuel my hope for a better tomorrow.

[1] Marianne Ignace and Ronald Ignace, Secwépemc People, Land, and Laws: Yerí7 Re Stsq’ey’s-Kucw (Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2017), 45.

[2] Ibid., 87.

[3] City of Kamloops, “History of Valleyview,” Kamloops.ca, accessed July 19, 2025, https://www.kamloops.ca/valleyview-history.

[4] BC Archives, “Logging and Railway Development in Interior BC,” Royal BC Museum, accessed July 19, 2025, https://royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/logging-history.

[5] City of Kamloops, “Stormwater Management,” Kamloops.ca, accessed July 19, 2025, https://www.kamloops.ca/stormwater.

[6] Fisheries and Oceans Canada, “Historical Salmon Abundance in the Thompson River System,” DFO, 2022, https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/thompson-salmon.

[7] Invasive Species Council of BC, “Himalayan Blackberry,” BC Invasives, accessed July 19, 2025, https://bcinvasives.ca/invasive-species/identify/invasive-plants/himalayan-blackberry/.

[8] Kamloops This Week, “Valleyview Community Gardens Take Root,” KTW News, June 1, 2024, https://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/news/valleyview-gardens.