About Visions to Action
This section provides background on the Visions to Action initiative including the Strategic Sustainability Plan that guides our work, the Strategic Sustainability Plan Focus Areas, the Creation and Membership of the Sustainability Commission and the Operations of the Sustainablity Commission and Task Forces.
Strategic Sustainability Plan
In February 2007, the City of Rossland started work on a long-term sustainability strategy for the municipality. The initiative, called Visions to Action, was framed around engaging the community in a conversation about the desired future of Rossland and building awareness within the community and beyond of how we can plan for a better, more sustainable future.
The Strategic Sustainabilty Plan (SSP), created through the Visions to Action process initiated in 2007, was approved by Council in May 2008. The SSP is centred around a Community Vision for 2030 developed through a collaborative community process. The Community Vision for 2030 is:
In 2030, Rossland is a resilent alpine community and a leader in balancing social, environmental, and economic sustainability. Celebrated for its unique cultural heritage, small-town charm and world-class natural amenities, Rossland offers residents and visitors alike extensive recreational opportunities, trail networks and green spaces. The thriving, diverse economy embraces innovation and entrepreneurism, and its citizens actively contribute to a welcoming, vibrant community that is safe, inclusive and affordable.
The Strategic Sustainability Plan is the guiding document for the community's sustainability initiatives outlined on this site. It is intended to guide the actions of the City, Sustainability Commission, Task Forces and citizens of Rossland in reaching our Community Vision. The SSP outlines 147 Strategic Actions for 11 Focus Areas. Version 1.1 of the Strategic Sustainability Plan contains an updated Appendix E from SSP Version 1.0.
Strategic Sustainability Plan Version 1.1
Updated Appendix E (Addition to SSP 1.0)
The recommendations of the SSP were incorporated into the new OCP in October 2008. For more details on the process by which the Strategic Sustainability Plan was created follow this link.
Development of the Strategic Sustainability Plan
Strategic Sustainabiltiy Plan Focus Areas
Follow the links for more details regarding the 11 Strategic Sustainability Plan Focus Areas.
Natural Environment and Resource Lands
Community Economic Development
Intergenerational Care and Learning
Water and Solid Waste Management
Creation and Membership of the Sustainability Commission and Task Forces
In 2009, the City commenced implementation of the SSP, including the creation of a Sustainability Commission and four Task Forces. Council appointed the Sustainability Commission to guide and assist in the implementation of the Strategic Sustainability Plan (SSP). The Commission appointed four Task Forces (Economic Development, Water Stewardship, Housing and Affordability and Energy) to address the four SSP Focus Areas prioritized by Council. The four Task Force Chairs sit on the Sustainability Commission.
The current (Jan 2013) Sustainability Commission is comprised of the following people:
Volunteer community members:
Terry Miller (Sustainability Commission Chair)
Aaron Cosbey (Deputy Chair)
Steve Ash (Energy Task Force Chair)
Sara Golling (member at large)
Jim Firstbrook (Economic Development Task Force Chair)
Councillor:
Jill Spearn
Mayor:
Greg Granstrom
The Sustainability Commission is assisted by the following contractors:
Ann Damude (Sustainability Commission Manager)
Operation of the Sustainability Commission and Task Forces
The Visions to Action Sustainability Commission and Task Forces are guided by a number of key documents and protocols including the City of Rossland Sustainability Commission Bylaw and Task Force Terms of Reference.
Sustainability Commission Guiding Documents
The Sustainability Commission operates in a transparent manner and tracks its activities through meeting minutes, newsletters and annual reports.
Meeting Minutes and Annual Reports
Since 2009, the Sustainability Commission, Task Forces and City have been hard at work on a number of sustainability initiatives. See the Sustainability Commission's Annual Reports for a good summary of accomplishments. See the homepages of each of the Task Forces for a review of their accomplishments to date. Our plans for 2012/13 will be posted soon.
Join us on Rossland's Path to Sustainability!
"Anything else you're interested in is not going to happen if you can't breathe the air and drink the water. Don't sit this one out. Do something." ~ Carl Sagan