Tag: canadian parks and wilderness society

Seize on pandemic-fuelled enthusiasm for outdoors to expand protected wilderness, former parks chief urges

May 5, 2021

In recent weeks, Alberta’s government has moved to add user fees to some of its protected areas, citing the conservation needs from increased visitors seeking to get out of the city

Author of the article:Tyler DawsonPublishing date:May 03, 2021  •  2 days ago  •  4 minute read  •   19 Comments

A hiker looks at Lake O’Hara, located in Yoho National Park, in this undated handout image.
A hiker looks at Lake O’Hara, located in Yoho National Park, in this undated handout image. PHOTO BY THE CANADIAN PRESS

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EDMONTON — A former Parks Canada head says governments should look to expand protected wilderness in Canada, seizing on the enthusiasm for the outdoors that has emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think it does help alleviate the potential impacts on existing parks and I think it creates new opportunities for people to connect with nature,” said Alan Latourelle, who headed the federal agency between 2002 and 2015. “We have a base of public support that we should seize at this time.”

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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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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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Canada’s parks, nature should be at centre of COVID-19 recovery, says new report – News 1130

July 17, 2020

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — As governments look for long term solutions to seemingly intractable issues, such as mental health and the economy, a new report is highlighting the potential for nature to be at the centre of any COVID-19 recovery plan.

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) released a report Wednesday morning that outlines parks and wilderness spaces as an advantage Canada already has. However, it also outlines how chronic underfunding has left the system in disrepair, especially in British Columbia.

“The current health pandemic has really demonstrated that parks and nature are an essential part of our health care system. They’re critical to reducing stress and improving wellbeing,” says Tori Ball, a terrestrial campaigner with CPAWS.

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