Tag: BC Parks

Province announces infusion of funding for BC Parks

April 27, 2021

Promises for more campsites, expanded trails, and management—with details on Sea to Sky parks to come 2 days ago By: Alyssa Noel

Screen Shot 2021-04-22 at 3.02.09 PMThe provincial government has earmarked a record amount of funding for BC Parks over the next several years. Details on how that will impact Sea to Sky parks, like Garibaldi Provincial Park, pictured here, have not yet been announced. PHOTO BY ALYSSA NOEL

BC Parks will add two new summer employment opportunities in the Sea to Sky this year. 

A planning intern and an administrative intern will be based at Alice Lake Provincial Park in Squamish for 14 weeks, but “they are supporting parks in the region,” a spokesperson for B.C.’s Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy said in an email. 

In total, $4 million has been set aside for the youth employment program with BC Parks and the BC Conservation Officer Service to fund 83 positions. That includes 37 youth positions with BC Parks and 46 with the Conservation Officer Service. 

The jobs will be spread throughout the province with job posts set to go up in the coming days. 

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), BC Chapter, applauded the additional summer positions. 

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B.C upgrading provincial campsites and parks to boost tourism

April 20, 2021

 Jon Gauthier, staff Sunday, Apr. 18th, 2021 Elk Falls camping. (Feature photo Supplied by Explore BC Parks)

The province is expanding the BC Parks budget to help make provincial park visits more enjoyable than ever.

During the next three years an $83 million increase is on the way for BC Parks, helping build  new campsites, expanded trails and strengthened management of the park system.

“It’s absolutely clear how deeply people care about our provincial parks. The pandemic has brought more people than ever to visit BC Parks so they can safely spend time with family and friends while connecting to nature,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy

 “Investing in our parks helps secure our magnificent natural legacy so more British Columbians can appreciate its beauty. We are also supporting local businesses and the economy by creating employment opportunities through new investments in park infrastructure.”

In response to more demand for camping and out recreation, the money will be heading towards construction of new campgrounds, and more campsites and amenities at existing campgrounds.

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Upgrades coming to Skattebo Reach Trail between Ootischenia and Glade – BC Local

September 8, 2020

Upgrades are coming to the Skattebo Reach Trail (SRT) to improve access for both cyclists and bikers.

The trail is about 12 kilometres long and connects the Ootischenia area to Glade along the east bank of the Kootenay River.

The trail was originally built by the Castlegar Parks and Trails Society (CPTS) about 20 years ago. The group still maintains the trail and will be managing the upgrades.

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Black bear approaches, taps runner on popular Coquitlam trail

September 1, 2020

Conservation officers will try to trap the bear on the Coquitlam Crunch

Chad Pawson · CBC News · Posted: Aug 30, 2020 11:30 AM PT

This screen grab from a video shot by Sam Abdullah on Saturday shows a black bear approaching a runner on the Coquitlam Crunch trail. The woman was able to get past the bear. (Sam Abdullah)

Conservation officers say they will try to trap a black bear that was filmed on Saturday tapping a runner with its paw on a popular trail in Coquitlam, B.C.

The encounter, which happened just after 11 a.m. on Saturday, was filmed by Sam Abdullah, who climbs the popular Coquitlam Crunch up to four times a week. The trail is a steep 2.2-kilometre climb located in a green corridor of the city.

Abdullah said he was nearing the top on Saturday when a woman descending in front of him froze as a black bear emerged from the bushes.

He began filming the encounter on his cellphone, and the video shows the bear getting closer to the woman and eventually extending a paw to her leg before jumping back.

“I think she was in shock and she just froze there, you know,” said Abdullah, who carries bear spray when he climbs the trail.

WATCH | Bear taps at woman on Coquitlam Crunch trail:

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Bear taps at woman on Coquitlam Crunch trail

  • 2 days ago
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The encounter, which happened just after 11 a.m. on Saturday, was filmed by Sam Abdullah, who climbs the popular Coquitlam Crunch up to four times a week. 0:51

Eventually the woman was able to get past the bear, and she can be seen running past Abdullah and looking at the camera.

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Conservation group calls for multi-million dollar investment in B.C.’s parks

August 17, 2020

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society says B.C. Parks needs additional $60 million for long-term success

Andrea Ross · CBC News · Posted: Aug 16, 2020

A non-profit conservation group is calling on the province to invest an additional $60 million in upgrades, infrastructure, education and staffing to secure a sustainable future for B.C.’s parks.

B.C. Parks saw its budget reduced slightly from $41.7 million to $40.6 million this year. Bruce Passmore, executive director of the B.C. Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, says this budget needs to be boosted drastically if the province expects to keep its wilderness areas pristine for years to come.

B.C. Parks has been “chronically underfunded” for a decade, he said.

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Look for Discover Parks Ambassadors in provincial parks this summer – Kamloops the Week

July 19, 2020

In the Kamloops area, ambassadors will rotate between Lac Le Jeune, Monck and Paul Lake provincial parks.

July 18 is Canada Parks Day and visitors to some Kamloops-area provincial parks will be greeted by Discover Parks Ambassadors.

The ambassadors consist of youth under the age of 30 and volunteers who will be out in the field, engaging visitors with activities, education and more. The pilot program is a new partnership between the BC Parks Foundation and BC Parks, with the goal of providing jobs, training and educational opportunities to B.C. youth, while enhancing the experience of park visitors.

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