Framed by the spectacular backdrop of temperate rainforests, coastal mountains and the Salish Sea, Vancouver, British Columbia, can be forgiven for a certain smugness: there are few more well-situated and beautiful urban centers in the world. When I arrived here from eastern Canada 30 years ago, I fell in love with the city, and in particular its proximity to nature and the great outdoors. I dove right in, taking full advantage of skiing on the North Shore mountains in winter and hiking local trails in summer, feeling lucky just to be here. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.