The Federation of Mountain Clubs
of British Columbia

June 2023 NEWSLETTER

FMCBC News

~ 2023 FMCBC Member Club Grants ~

Since 2012, FMCBC Member Club Grants have been used to fund trail upgrades, trail extensions, backcountry huts, equipment purchases, educational events, community events and so much more!

Congratulations to our 2023 FMCBC Member Club Grant recipients - see you on the trails!

Come celebrate with us at our ~ 2023 Annual General Meeting ~

The FMCBC board of directors, staff, and member club representatives are invited to attend the FMCBC Annual General Meeting. This year – our 50th Anniversary – we will be meeting at the University of British Columbia (UBC), the location of the 1974 FMCBC  inaugural major conference on access to the backcountry.

We look forward to special guests, partner presentations, and more!

Save-the-date of Saturday, October 21st, 2023. Stay tuned for more details!

The FMCBC will again be participating in the 2024 Budget Consultations and will be advocating for greater funding and resources for BC Parks and Recreation Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC).

Despite the recent budget increases for BC Parks ($83M in April 2021) and some additional funding announced this Spring for both BC Parks and RSTBC, there are still many trails, day-use sites, campgrounds, backcountry campsites and recreation facilities in need of upgrades and repairs. Also, the lack of maintenance of access roads is continuing to restrict or hamper access to many parks, recreation sites, and trails. 

If you are an FMCBC member, contact us for more information. You can also visit the consultation site directly to share your opinions. 

Mountain Matters

FMCBC Board members enjoyed trail work and exploration on the 3rd Annual BC Trails Day, June 3rd, 2023. Thanks to the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC for their continued coordination and promotion of BC Trails Day.

Together, we are stronger!

Hike BC and Hike Canada en Marche participated in the Trails Day celebration at the Campbell Valley Regional Park on July 5, 2023, at the Nature House.

This is the 5^th time that Hike BC and Hike Canada en Marche have participated in this event. Of special interest, Hike Canada en Marche is initiating the National Hiker Award program starting in November 2023.

The Tla'amin Nation, qathet Parks and Wilderness Society (qPAWS), and the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORCBC) teamed up again for a Nature Hike on BC Trails Day, Saturday June 3, 2023. They welcomed all community members for an introduction to the Tla'amin Trails Network, commemorating this annual event.

The UBC Varsity Outdoor Club continues to plan for its roof renewal project at the Brian Waddington Memorial Hut. The VOC has been overwhelmed by the community’s generosity since launching a fundraiser with the FMCBC’s help, and is looking forward to commencing the project on July 29th.

Donations can be made at the FMCBC donation page (selecting “Brian Waddington Hut project” under the “fund” dropdown), and parties interested in learning more can read about the project from the VOC’s own press release, as well as an article published by Pique newsmagazine.

With a $10M contribution from the provincial government, ORCBC is setting up a new endowment fund and granting program to support community-based volunteer groups with improving access to outdoor recreation.

In the News

'Craft gear from here': How B.C. mountain towns are growing a recreation-based manufacturing industry - CBC News (June 11, 2023)

B.C. to invest $17 million on science, Indigenous knowledge to restore Pacific salmon - CTV News (June 1, 2023)

Chilliwack Outdoor Club hosts a hike to mark B.C. Trails Day - Agassiz-Harrison Observer (June 9, 2023)

‘Our eyes and ears on the land’: Indigenous Guardians soar to 170 programs nation-wide - Global News (June 2, 2023)

Province commits $10 million to BC Parks Foundation - Pique Newsmagazine (June 1, 2023)

'Very high risk’: Widespread smoke causing poor air quality throughout the BC Interior -Kelowna Now (May 18, 2023)

Merritt Snowmobile Club helping out BC Trails Day - CFJC Today (May 30, 2023)

How the wildfires are already affecting our health - Maclean's (June 7, 2023)

Caring for our forests this camping season - UBC News (May 18, 2023)

OUTDOORS: Dreaded poison ivy causing rash of problems - New Market Today (May 30, 2023)

'Significant and extreme' wildfire risk to northern B.C. likely to spread south, officials warn - CBC News (May 16, 2023)

Women take to woods of Lake Country to learn new skills - Kelowna Capital News (June 6, 2023)

Let’s Talk Trash: Low impact camping - The Peak (June 12, 2023)

Campfire bans to take effect across much of B.C. on June 8 - Radio NL (June 6, 2023)

BC Search and Rescue Association concerned about growing call volume heading into summer - My Powell River Now (May 24, 2023)

Gulf Islands National Park Reserve officially opens SMONEĆTEN campground for the summer visitor season on May 15 - Government of Canada (May 16, 2023)

B.C.'s 125 best parks, conservation areas and 'wild places' - Vancouver Sun (June 9, 2023)

3rd annual BC Trails Day returns next month with nearly a dozen events in the Interior - Kelowna Now (May 28, 2023)

New survey highlights British Columbians' love of the outdoors - CBC News (June 3, 2023)

These 10 B.C. hiking trails saw the most search-and-rescue calls last year - Pique News Magazine (May 18, 2023)

North Vancouver's Grouse Grind set to reopen- CTV News Vancouver (May 26, 2023)

Celebrate B.C.’s Trails Day in the capital – Vernon - Castlegar News (May 28, 2023)

Capital Regional District urges visitors to stick to official trails, practise park etiquette - Sooke News Mirror (June 11, 2023)

Herons' 'primal' screams from Stanley Park treetops herald another eagle raid - Times Colonist (June 11, 2023)

Join the FMCBC today!

Step up to support outdoor recreation in BC!

We are seeking volunteers with expertise in insurance for our Risk Management Committee and general members for our Trails Committee.

Contact fmcbc@mountainclubs.org or fill out our online form to tell us about yourself.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Fall/Winter 2022

Cloudburst Magazine 

In this issue:

• Biking Vancouver Island and the Kinsol Trestle •

• The historically notable Swiss Edelweiss Village •

• A tribute to Jay MacArthur – Outdoors advocate •

Want to share your adventure? Shed some light on a backcountry issue? Educate others? Show off your favourite photos? Tell others about that great book you read? We want to hear all about it!

The FMCBC is a proud member of:

Get in touch with us

mountainclubs.org
fmcbc@mountainclubs.org

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