Podcast
Kimberley Embraces the Great Outdoors!
Anyone who has visited the South Island New Zealand town of Queenstown knows that building a local economy around outdoor adventure activities can work — and work well — for a small mountain town, boosting the local economy and attracting large numbers of youthful creative types, some of whom decide to stay. Many alpine…
Read MoreHere to Stay
In this CBC podcast, host Manusha Janakiram looks at how Canada’s smallest, often remote communities are not just striving to survive — but to thrive!
Read MoreCivic Engagement on Vancouver Island — 2 Conversations
With elections looming later this month across BC, the challenge of getting folks involved in local and regional decision-making is a timely subject. If the goals of an effective rural regional or local government are to inform — provide citizens with balanced and informed information in a timely manner; consult — obtain feedback on…
Read MoreInnovation Can Transform Small Towns!
There are only two approaches to dealing with the often-wrenching changes sweeping over small towns these days — stick with the ol’ “tried & true,” and be overwhelmed by the tsunami of change that seems the hallmark of the 21st century. Or roll up the digital sleeves, start thinking way outside the 20th century box,…
Read MoreCreative Placemaking, Attracting Young People to Rural Places
Creative placemaking: what is it, and can it serve as an effective toolkit for rural communities wanting to attract young people? Attracting and keeping younger adults is a challenge that many small cities and towns face. Zachary Mannheimer bucked the trend that sees so many younger folks settling in major urban centres. After a 22-city…
Read MoreLocal Food, the Secret Ingredient for Vibrant Downtowns
Whether you are a foodie or a farmer, local food is something to embrace. In small towns, the local food movement is doing more than putting meals on plates—it is nourishing economies by keeping farms vital and downtowns alive. In this Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design hour-long webinar, we hear how farmers’ markets and food…
Read Moreall that jazz… a conversation with Paul Hinrichs
All those mountains, and all that jazz… For over 25 years, the tiny West Kootenay village of Kaslo has played host to one of the world’s most celebrated outdoor music festivals. USA Today has called the Kaslo Jazz Festival “one of the 10 best places in the world to enjoy outdoor music in the…
Read MoreAnts in your pants? Red Ants Pants founder Sarah Calhoun speaks out!
Do you have ants in your pants? Sarah Calhoun does. Or rather Sarah has created a successful clothing business, foundation, and music festival, all under the catchy title of Red Ants Pants. Sarah has nearly two decades of leadership experience in both the non-profit and small business sectors, working in the outdoor education industry…
Read MoreBook it! Literature lives large on the Sunshine Coast
Literature is a big deal on BC’s Sunshine Coast. The Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts, now in its 34th year, is the longest-running writer’s festival in the country. It celebrates Canadian writers from all corners of the country, and all genres, from mystery to poetry to non-fiction. The festival underscores how important…
Read MoreJohn Davis to speak at Keeping It Rural 2017
We’re excited to report that John Davis, executive director of Minnesota’s Lanesboro Arts organization, will be speaking at the Keeping It Rural 2017 conference in Kelowna, June 20-21. John is internationally recognized for his success in using culture as a means to turn around the economic fortunes of the small rural towns. He led the charge in founding a unique…
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