The Federation of Mountain Clubs
of British Columbia
February 2019 NEWSLETTER
| Province rejects Tetrahedron Provincial Park boundary adjustment  On Feb. 7th, we were advised by senior Ministry of Environment staff that Minster Heyman had in fact decided on the future of Tetrahedron Provincial Park. After careful consideration, Minister Heyman said he was not prepared to move forward with a park boundary amendment at this time. Read the full press release here.
Thanks to all who contributed to this successful outcome: the Minister, ministry staff, all our allies in this campaign, including the Sierra Club, CPAWS, Wilderness Committee, Sunshine Coast Conservation Association, Tetrahedron Alliance, BCMC, BC Parks Elders, BC Spaces for Nature, Suzanne Senger, and dozens of dedicated and credible individuals who helped in a multitude of ways. And, of course, huge thanks to the members of the FMCBC for their keen interest and positive support over past two years! It’s been a serious task to put this matter to rest. Here are some more of our thoughts on Minister Heyman's decision to preserve Tetrahedron Provincial Park. | Budget 2019 Budget 2019 was released on Feb 19th and we, along with countless other organizations and individuals, were disappointed to learn that there was no mention of “parks” anywhere in the 143-page document. Or, of “conservation,” “protection” or “environment” in any significant way. The BC Parks and Wilderness Society put together a great statement on the matter, which you can read here. Search and rescue groups were also disappointed by the lack of funding. As this news article says, "Although search and rescue groups can be the difference between life and death for those who end up relying on them in the backcountry, they’re facing an uncertain future as the government didn’t announce any money for them in the latest provincial budget." | Cloudburst submissions wanted! It's that time! We're on the hunt for submissions for our Spring/Summer 2019 issue of Cloudburst. We know you've been a busy bunch this winter and have had lots of adventures in the backcountry and issues to reflect upon. So, please send us your stories, articles, photos (including warm-weather cover photos), poems, musings, teachings, gear reviews, trip reports and whatever else you'd like to share with the world. We welcome submissions from both experienced and new writers, and if you need a little help getting started, our Communications and Admin Manager, Stacey Santos, is more than happy to help out. Please send your submissions to stacey.santos@mountainclubs.org by April 1st! | NTC Shovel Ready Projects Please add your “shovel ready” trail projects to the National Trail Coalition’s online spreadsheet! The National Trails Coalition (NTC) is the operating name for the Coalition of Canadian Trails Organizations, a federally incorporated not-for-profit organization. In past years the NTC received a $10 million dollar investment from the Government of Canada to distribute for trail projects. In December 2018, NTC board members met with Members of Parliament about securing further investments for trail projects in Canada and has started collecting data on "shovel ready" projects in the online spreadsheet mentioned above. The latest public comment periods Rec Sites & Trails BC is developing a management plan for the Squamish River Valley and is looking for input! Check out this post from the Squamish Access Society for more info. (More info: online survey, interactive mapping) As well, the BC government is working in collaboration with Blueberry River First Nations and other interested Treaty 8 First Nations, as well as local governments, industry stakeholders and the general public, to update and amend the Fort St. John Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP). You have until March 6, 2019 at 4 pm to have your say! South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park public consultation period extended The consultation period for the proposed national park reserve in the South Okanagan
Similkameen has been extended two weeks, to March 15, 2019. A notice posted by the Protected Areas Establishment Branch said the extension "will allow stakeholder groups who had their meetings rescheduled to late February an opportunity to submit their views on the proposed boundary and provide their input on key aspects for consideration in the management of the lands. It will also provide you with more time to participate.” Have your say here! Sustainable Land Use Public Opinion Poll In 2018, the Real Estate Foundation of BC commissioned a public opinion survey on land use, sustainability and rural planning. Some key findings included: - When forced to choose, British Columbians are three times as likely to prioritize “environmental protection” (69%) over “economic growth” (24%).
- The majority of British Columbians, in most regions, say they are “extremely” or “very concerned” about climate change. Concern is highest in the Lower Mainland (62%) and on Vancouver Island (59%).
- 81% of BC residents support “strong penalties, including jail time, for people and companies who pollute or severely damage natural habitat.”
Read the full survey here. | Wildsight Testifies in Court to Stop Jumbo Glacier Resort's Development - Summit 107 FM, Jan 29, 2019 Unhappy campers continue reservation fight - Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News, Feb 6, 2019 Province rejects Tetrahedron park boundary adjustment - Coast Reporter, Feb 7, 2019 B.C. Parks adding sites at Golden Ears Provincial Park - Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News, Feb 7, 2019 Idea pitched for upscale backcountry huts between Cypress and Squamish - North Shore News, Feb 14, 2019 EDITORIAL: Out of thin air - North Shore News, Feb 14, 2019 BC Parks reacts to 'driver anarchy' at Joffre Lakes - Squamish Chief, Feb 9, 2019 Student ranger team relocated - Whistler Pique, Feb 19, 2019 Body of missing snowshoer recovered by North Shore Rescue - Global News, Feb 20, 2019 Reputation of 'Beautiful B.C.' at risk unless more funding given to parks: advocates - News 1130, Feb 27, 2019 | Rocky Mountain Books just released their Spring 2019 titles! A solid lineup of First Nations stories, regional history, popular guidebooks and books for children, covering a broad spectrum of nature, storytelling and outdoor adventure. Before you head out on a trip, does anyone know where you have gone and when you expect to return? AdventureSmart created a free app that allows you to easily create trip plans and send them to your family and friends. Check it out! The Forestry Practices Board conducted an audit of BC timber sales in Dawson Creek. It found most activities complied with legal requirements, but also noted fire hazard assessment, soil disturbance and bridge maintenance issues. If you’re planning to visit Cape Scott Provincial Park this summer, please note that there will be no access to the Cape Scott parking lot during the following periods: June 3 – June 7, 2019 and June 10 – June 14, 2019. More details. Parks Canada has formally launched the first phase of public engagement on management plans for the southern mountain national parks! Find out more. Want to stay up to date on BC Parks' latest public consultations and management plans? Sign up for the BC Parks RSS feed! | Thanks to Phil Jackson of the Island Mountain Ramblers for this month's feature photo. It was taken from the summit of Sir John in the Franklin Range of Vancouver Island. The peaks in the distance are comprised of Franklin Range, Sutton Range, and the Bonanza Range. | Click here to view our Fall/Winter 2018 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: | As always, the FMCBC would like to thank Mountain Equipment Co-op for supporting the FMCBC through their generous contribution of office space from which to base our administration. | | Copyright © 2019 Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC, All rights reserved.
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