District of Highlands

Organization Mandate
The District of Highlands is a municipality incorporated in British Columbia with responsibility for local governance and taxation within its boundary. It serves approximately 2130 (2006 census) residents.

Locations
The District of Highlands was incorporated as a municipality in December 1993 from a rural area of the Capital Regional District (CRD), 20 km northwest of downtown Victoria. It is part of a group of municipalities known as the Western Communities. Highlands is an undulating, forested plateau approximately 250 metres high with several peaks reaching 450 metres and a spectacular western wall that plummets to the only deep water fjord on the east coast of Vancouver Island (and one of only four "shallow silled" fjords in the world). The municipality contains ten freshwater lakes and two main watercourses flow south through the area, Millstream and Craigflower Creeks. The terrain, vegetation and close location of Highlands in relation to metro Victoria allows Highlands to exist as a greenbelt municipality within its region. The land and lake area is 3745 ha and of that 50% is classed as steep land over 30% in slope. In 2006, the population is approximately 2130 and 35% of the municipality is public park land. Some properties are classified as Managed Forest.

Current Activities and Projects
Comprehensive Groundwater Monitoring Strategy

Fundraising Initiatives
Highlands actively seeks funds through amenity zoning and density-bonusing. The funds support parkland acquisition, road improvements and fire fighting infrastructure.

Partners
Friends of Fork Lake
Highlands District Community Association
Highlands Ratepayers Association
Highlands Heritage Park Society
Highlands Parks and Recreation Association
The Nature Conservancy of Canada
The Land Conservancy of BC
Victoria Natural History Society

Publications
Official Community Plan, 2007
Zoning Bylaw, 1998
Parks Master Plan, 2001
Trails Master Plan, 2001

Volunteers Required
Volunteer Firefighters and Advisory Committee Members

Conservation Connection

1980 Millstream Rd
Victoria, BC V9B 6H1

Phone: 250-474-1773
Fax: 250-474-3677
Email: LBeckett@highlands.ca

Website: highlands.ca/

Main Contact
Laura Beckett
Planner
Phone: 250-474-1773
Fax: 250-474-3677
Email: LBeckett@highlands.ca

Secondary Contact
District Office
Phone: 250-474-1773
Fax: 250-474-3677