Kelowna wins two climate awards at UBCM

The City of Kelowna won two awards from the Community Energy Association at the Union of B.C. Municipalities annual conference Wednesday for its innovative climate projects.

Of the 29 submissions received from B.C. municipalities, the City of Kelowna was the only city to nab two Climate and Energy Action Awards trophies for its Climate Resilient Kelowna Strategy and for the DeHart Community Park’s carbon-neutral design.

“Kelowna is honoured to be the only community to receive two Climate and Energy Awards at the Union of BC Municipalities,” said Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas. “These awards, recognizing our Climate Resilient Kelowna Strategy and the DeHart Community Park built to net-zero, reflect the hard work and innovation of City staff and Council’s commitment to making the environment and sustainability a priority. Together, we are demonstrating that Kelowna can lead in climate action while building a resilient and thriving future for our community.”

The City’s Climate Resilient Kelowna Strategy follows a low-carbon resilience approach to help our community reduce the GHG emissions that contribute to climate change. The strategy also helps us get ready for the changes we expect to face as the Okanagan climate changes in the years to come.

It includes valuable insights gathered from extensive public engagement, research on best practices and approaches used by other jurisdictions, as well as modelling and analysis. The strategy includes more than 150 actions to mitigate GHG emissions and how we can adapt to our changing climate. 

These actions include everything from increasing the urban tree canopy, flood protection on major creeks, expanding active transportation options and supporting regional emergency response efforts.

DeHart Community Park’s carbon-neutral design relies on taking advantage of the natural terrain and new plantings to balance park elements with the built environment to lower its carbon footprint, including the use of local and natural materials. The park has more than 250 new deciduous and coniferous trees, 11,000 flower bulbs, grasses, shrubs, and perennials.

One of the community’s top priorities throughout the public engagement process was to preserve the natural elements in the space, including the mature trees such as a 200-year-old Ponderosa pine and a small walnut grove. It also includes a pollinator meadow and community garden.

The City of Kelowna won a Climate and Energy Action Award in 2023 for its FireSmart chipping program.