In this episode, Colby Harder, a 27-year-old city councillor in Langford, British Columbia, discusses her commitment to sustainability, focusing on social, environmental, and economic aspects.  She emphasizes the importance of making sustainable choices accessible, such as improving land use and transportation options. Colby advocates for community involvement in sustainability efforts, citing successful initiatives like community-led park cleanups and fire-smart programs. She also stresses the need for comprehensive plans and effective communication to integrate sustainability practices into daily life.

As part of the government duties Colby mentions the importance of making decisions about how to improve the people’s lives, but she emphasized the responsibility of the government on providing the resources to make it possible.

She discusses the importance of understanding land ownership, with First Nationspartners to protect natural areas and establishing a comprehensive urbanforest management plan to preserve and improve tree canopy cover. Moreover, she advocates for the proactive safeguarding and acquisition of land for conservation and parkland, all supported by a comprehensive plan and strategy to steer decision-making.

“Understanding how to integrate sustainability practices into daily living is really about getting more and more people involved in city planning processes, by givingthem the opportunity to showcase those key touchpoints, where they want their money to go, where they want to see all the taxes they pay prioritized, these empower the people and they can see that they are part of a positive change”.

Colby Harder.

This project contributes to the completion of my Master’s degree in Environment and Management at Royal Roads University, under the supervision of Dr. Alice MacGillivray.

I acknowledge that this research has been conducted on the traditional lands of the Lekwungen-speaking Peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.