The Federation of Mountain Clubs
of British Columbia


March 2022 NEWSLETTER
 

FMCBC News

The FMCBC is proud to share that Jay MacArthur - FMCBC Director - has been awarded the Tim Jones Community Achievement Award.

Jay has worked tirelessly to advocate for outdoor recreation and is an inspiration to beginner and experienced outdoors people, alike. His contributions as a "custodian of the mountains through land preservation, trail development to lessen impact on the land, and ongoing maintenance of the trails..." have earned him the gratitude and appreciation of the outdoors community.

Congratulations, Jay! A heartfelt thank you from your friends at the Fed for decades of dedicated efforts. 

FMCBC Trails Update

Chilliwack Area

The Chilliwack Outdoors Club has started to identify a lot of trail damage from the November rainstorms. So far they have only been able to see issues on the Trans-Canada Trail which runs along the Chilliwack River at a lower elevation. Once the snow melts they are sure that more damage will be found. A section of the Nesakwatch Creek access road was washed away in the November storm. That road provided access to the east side of Mount Slesse and Mount Rexford. Check the FLRNRO website for more updates as they assess damage.

Trail Database

The trails database is now ready for testing. There is a blog post that provides a bit more information. The database will provide a place where members and the public can add trail condition reports and our volunteer trail champions can get the latest list of issues. Please contact the trails committee if you would like to be added to the email list and provide input. We need trail champions to help work on trail issues!

Spring/Summer Cloudbust - submissions by March 31, 2022. 

You are invited to submit text and photographs related to non-motorized outdoor recreation. 

Have something you’d like us to share? We welcome submissions from our clubs as well as the general public — please get in touch with us!

Want to get the Fed's Cloudburst Magazine and monthly E-news directly to your inbox? Subscribe here!

Mountain Matters

Friends of Garibaldi Park Society hopes you can help in distributing a survey that they created to collect feedback on the BC Parks day passes that have been in use over the last two years.

We at Friends of Garibaldi Park Society have identified a gap in the survey scope that BC Parks sent to 2020 day pass users. We recognized that the BC Parks survey did not provide an opportunity to collect information from those who were unsuccessful in obtaining a day pass nor those who chose not to try to obtain a day pass and are seeking deeper insight from all users on their outdoor adventures over the last two years. BC Parks has yet to commission a new survey for feedback on the 2021 changes to the day pass system, so our survey also addresses the impacts of the changes BC Parks made to the day pass system.

Closing date is today!

BC Parks Seeks Input on Website

Check out the new design for BCParks.ca. 

Once you’ve had a look around, click the Feedback Form link at the top of the site (in the bright yellow strip) to share your thoughts.

VIRTUAL BIRD IDENTIFICATION WORKSHOP 

Vancouver Avian Research Centre offers this workshop over a series of weekly sessions. The workshop is designed for beginner and intermediate birders who want to take their bird knowledge and identification skills to the next level.

Vancouver International Mountain Film Fest

If you weren't able to join them in-Vancouver, the VIMFF 2022 online film tickets and passes are available for purchase until March 15 and you have until March 27 to view this incredible virtual line-up of 50+ films.

Climate Change Tool Shows Regional Projections

Climate change impacts do not affect every region of British Columbia in the same way. The Plan2Adapt tool generates maps, plots, and data describing projected future climate conditions for regions throughout British Columbia. It is designed to help you assess climate change in your region based on a standard set of climate model projections

Connections Between Land and Health for Indigenous Peoples

The Healthy Land, Healthy People Collection is a selective repository of resources that profiles connections between land and health for Indigenous peoples, and the importance of these connections to attain the best possible health outcomes for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples living in urban, rural, remote and northern communities across Canada.

Health, well-being, and healing are closely tied to land-based experiences, cultural practices, artistic expressions, and Indigenous language use and revitalization. This collection includes specific information around these themes and their relationship to better health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples.

Blackcomb to Garibaldi Access Route

The BC government is seeking feedback on a new designated public access route that is being piloted by Whistler Blackcomb and provides free public uphill skiing access through the Blackcomb Controlled Recreation Area to Garibaldi Provincial Park.

The survey is specifically intended to capture information from members of the public that have an interest in uphill skiing and backcountry access to Garibaldi and Blackcomb Glacier Parks in the winter months. Information on backcountry access via the Whistler and Blackcomb Controlled Recreation Areas can be found on the Whistler Blackcomb Backcountry page. Feedback will be accepted until 4 pm (PT) on May 31, 2022 via the online survey.

CPAWS Report and Petition 

According to the CPAWS Report AN HONEST ACCOUNTING: IMPROVING BC'S APPROACH TO CLAIMING OTHER CONSERVED AREAS, it appears that BC is over-claiming the amount of lands and waters that they have set aside for effective protection and conservation. This CPAWS report challenges BC's claim that 19.5% is protected/conserved. 

CPAWS has started a petition to gather support on this issue. Pique News provides more details about this action. 

In the News

B.C. shifts oversight of recreation sites and trails from Forestry Ministry to Environment and Parks -  Vancouver Sun (February 26, 2022)

Shuswap Trail Alliance grateful following successful auction fundraiser - Salmon Arm Observer (March 3, 2022)

B.C. Swiss-style community, Edelweiss Village, up for sale for $2.3M - Global News (March 4, 2022)

Next phase of Shawnigan Lake trail project getting mixed reviews - Cowichan Valley Citizen (February 17, 2022)

New piece of parkland opens on Gabriola Island - Nanaimo News Bulletin (February 17, 2022)

B.C. appoints Josie Osborne as minster of new land stewardship ministry - Vancouver Sun (February 25, 2022)

Make informed decisions about safe, accessible experiences on the Trans Canada Trail - North Thompson Star/Journal (February 26, 2022)

‘Predictable and preventable’: Engineer says abandoned logging road contributed to fatal B.C. landslide - Victoria News (February 16, 2022)

B.C. flouting Canadian, international standards on protected areas, says report  - Vancouver is Awesome (February 16, 2022)

Clock ticking as charity $300,000 away from Vancouver Island eagle reserve dream - Saanich News (February 25, 2022)

Climate change forces Parks Canada to dismantle, remove historic mountain hut - CBC News (February 25, 2022)

“I’m in awe” – Legendary B.C. Climber Talks About Waddington Range - Gripped (February 28, 2022)

Coyote denning season could lead to defensive behaviour, park board warns months after attack-prompted cull - CTV News (March 1, 2022)

British Columbia’s Mega Mine Gold Rush Threatens Wilderness, Salmon, and the Outdoor Lifestyle in Southeast Alaska - Outdoor Life (March 2, 2022)

Researchers ask public for help protecting B.C.’s bats - e-know.ca (February 25, 2022)

CLOUDBURST Magazine - WINTER

 

View the Winter 2021 issue of Cloudburst.

Sign up to receive the next edition by email.

Visit Canada Helps to make a donation to the FMCBC. Donate towards our Member Club Grant Program or help support advocacy to protect and expand
non-motorized recreation in BC. 

The FMCBC is always looking for volunteers. Find out how you can get involved.

We are preparing our Spring/Summer edition of Cloudburst Magazine!

You are invited to submit text and photographs related to:

  • Trail development, maintenance and issues
  • Stories and reflections on outdoor adventures
  • Mountain safety, tools and resources
  • Club adventures over Spring/Summer season
  • Review of outdoor equipment, books and other media
  • COVID specific challenges, adaptations and triumphs
  • A striking cover photo
  • New outdoor technology/communications devices, software and websites
  • Other items of interest to outdoors and mountain enthusiasts!

 Email us with submissions or questions! Please send submissions by March 31, 2022.

The FMCBC is a proud member of:

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