In 2013, a Healthy Communities Team, comprised of representatives from the City of Enderby, the Splatsin Band, Interior Health, and Shuswap Trail Alliance, identified the need for an active transportation plan as a priority for improving the health and well-being of Enderby and Splatsin residents.

The Healthy Communities Team utilized a grant from Round One of the Healthy Communities Capacity Building (HCCB) Grant to initiate an Active Transportation Planning process that engaged the community to identify challenges, opportunities and constraints related to active transportation. The project helped to strengthen partnerships between the local governments and the health authority, as Interior Health played a key role in providing support for the project from initial project planning and design through to delivery and plan development.

"The project solidified the importance of health and well-being across the two communities and the role that Interior Health can play in improving this health and wellbeing"                   ~City of Enderby 

Then, the partners worked together to develop a successful application for Round Two of the HCCB Grant. The group is currently developing an Implementation Strategy for active transportation projects identified through the initial Active Transportation Planning process, which help to connect the two communities and span both jurisdictions. This project will reduce automobile dependence and enable residents to live healthier, more active lives.

To learn more about the Enderby-Splatsin transportation planning process click here.

The Age Friendly BC Community (AFBC) Recognition Program is designed to reward and encourage communities to take action towards becoming age-friendly. Benefits of becoming a recognized AFBC community include:

• An AFBC recognition award;
• Promotion of your community’s achievements in the AFBC section of the SeniorsBC.ca website and in the SeniorsBC e-Newsletter, as well as, through BC Healthy Communities Society news bulletins;
• National and international recognition as an age-friendly community;
• A reward to help your community develop an age-friendly community legacy project or to hold a celebration.

For information on how to become a recognized AFBC community, see Becoming an Age-friendly Community: Local Government Guide, Section 3.0. To apply for recognition go to the AFBC Recognition Application Form.

For more information, please contact the Seniors’ Health Promotion Directorate by emailing AgefriendlyBC@gov.bc.ca or calling 250-387-9520.

The Malahat Nation is looking at options to maximize the potential of their land which extends 590 acres. While there is an opportunity to use the land to support the community's local economy, the Malahat Nation is proceeding with high caution to ensure that the land is protected so there is zero negative impact on their culture and traditions.  

Find out how the Malahat Nation implemented ground-truthing activities to inform their land-use plans and policies here. 

The District of Clearwater was confronted with one major obstacle to cultivating a vibrant economy and encouraging active transportation: a main highway running right through the middle of the community. Through an extensive research process that incorporated strong community engagement, Clearwater has been able to adjust their bylaws, resulting in safer routes for active transportation and improved economic activity. 

Learn how the District of Clearwater used innovative ideas to address the issue here.