FMCBC January 2020 e-news

The Federation of Mountain Clubs
of British Columbia

January 2020 NEWSLETTER

FMCBC News

FMCBC Submission to Old Growth Strategic Review

The provincial government is currently undertaking an Old Growth Strategic Review. Time is almost up to share your perspectives on the ecological, economic, and cultural importance of old-growth trees and forest in BC. The deadline for comments is Jan. 31st at 4 pm!

Our submission, a collaboration between many FMCBC Directors, committee members and club members, spoke of the value of diverse old-growth forests in our province, their biodiversity and the recreational opportunities they offer. We would like to see legislated protection of our old-growth forests, with an immediate moratorium on harvesting endangered old-growth, pending independent scientific studies to determine where to preserve sufficient areas to protect the different types of old-growth and the wildlife dependent on them.

You can read our full letter here, and while the deadline is tight, we encourage you to submit comments of your own on this incredibly important matter.

2020 FMCBC AGM update

The next FMCBC AGM will be held over the May 22 - 24, 2020 weekend in Gibsons, BC. Thanks to the Tetrahedron Outdoor Club for hosting!

Important note: We were advised that ferries book up very quickly, so if you're planning on attending and bringing a vehicle over, it would be wise to arrange carpools and book now (Horseshoe Bay - Langdale route). If you'd like to be added to the carpool list, please get in touch with Stacey at stacey.santos@mountainclubs.org.

Public Engagement Opportunity - Trails Strategy

The provincial Trails Strategy provides the framework, principles, and guidance necessary to develop a world class trails system for BC. Overall, this framework establishes clear strategic direction for planning, developing, maintaining, managing, marketing and using an integrated network of trails in our province over the next 10 years.

Want to share your thoughts and help shape the Trails Strategy? You have until Feb. 28th to have your say!

Mountain Matters

Adventure Tourism in the Sea to Sky area

An email from the District Manager of the Sea to Sky Natural Resource District recognized the importance of adventure tourism in the region. But at the same time, the email also highlighted the fact that many companies and operators in the adventure tourism marketplace are NOT authorized and are in non-compliance:

"A recent increase in unauthorized Adventure Tourism (AT) activity has resulted in increased conflict between AT operators and public recreation users, in addition to negative impacts to wildlife, the environment, and important cultural areas.

The Ministry is also concerned that helicopter companies are increasingly providing AT experiences on Crown land without authorization. These activities can put wildlife habitat areas and other sensitive wilderness values at risk and impact the visitor experience for other users. Commercial AT activities that make use of Crown land to facilitate the experience require authorization under the Land Act."

Read the full letter on our Facebook page.

In the News

Forest Service wilderness fee plan gets negative comments - The Washington Times, Dec 30, 2019

Trail pulling double duty as a logging road - Daily Courier, Jan 4, 2020

‘The border is this imaginary line’: why Americans are fighting mining in B.C.’s ‘Doughnut Hole’ - The Narwhal, Jan 8, 2020

Users slam Parks Canada for online campsite reservation glitches - CBC News, Jan 8, 2020

Is the need for the perfect selfie destroying NZ's wild places? - Stuff, Jan 10, 2020

NSR warns volunteers may not help you in dangerous areas - News 1130, Jan 10, 2020

As rescue costs soar, Parks Canada sets new rules for climbing Canada's highest peak - CBC News, Jan 16, 2020

Search on for uphill ski route through Whistler Blackcomb to Garibaldi Provincial Park - CBC News, Jan 26, 2020

Other News & Announcements

Rocky Mountain Books has announced their new spring lineup! As always, there are oodles of great outdoorsy titles to check out.

BC Parks is now accepting applications for their 2020 Student Ranger Program. The program offers hands-on work experience through a variety of projects related to conservation, recreation, community outreach and Indigenous relations in BC's parks and protected areas.

Avalanche Canada's new and improved app launched a year ago, and as of Jan 29th, the previous version stopped being functional. So if you haven't downloaded the latest version, now is the time!

Mike Nash of the Caledonia Ramblers shared a safety video released by the Air Safety Institute. While the video focuses on the pressures experienced by private pilots during the busy holiday period, Nash pointed out that many aspects of human decision-making in tight situations are relevant to recreation in the backcountry. "Get-home-itis," as search and rescue specialists sometimes call it, can be just as tempting in the outdoors as it is in the skies, with comparably risky consequences.

Feature Photo Credit

Thanks to Tanis Sawtell for this month's feature photo of Cloudburst Mountain. The photo was the runner-up for the cover of the Winter 2020 issue of Cloudburst.

Click here to view our Fall/Winter 2019 issue of Cloudburst.

Use our online form to report motorized recreation observed within BC Park boundaries.

Visit Canada Helps to make a donation to the FMCBC. All donations go towards our Member Club Grant Program.

The FMCBC is always looking for volunteers. Click here to find out how you can get involved.

The FMCBC is a proud member of:

The FMCBC would like to thank Taiga Works for supporting the FMCBC through their generous contribution of office space.

Get in touch with us

mountainclubs.org
fmcbc@mountainclubs.org