The Federation of Mountain Clubs
of British Columbia


February 2022 NEWSLETTER
 

FMCBC News

Smoke Bluffs Update from the FMCBC

The Fed  has initiated consultations with the reconstituted Smoke Bluffs Committee on the future of Smoke Bluffs in Squamish.

Good News for the Skagit "Donut Hole"

Some excellent news from the BC government about the Skagit "Donut Hole", within the Silverdaisy watershed, between the Skagit Valley Provincial Park and Manning Park.

The Province has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with Imperial Metals Corporation (Imperial Metals) and the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission that will see Imperial Metals return to the Province all its mining and related rights within the nearly 5,800-hectare Skagit River Donut Hole. Consultation on the future use and protection of land within the Silverdaisy watershed will follow.

Ken Farquharson, who passed away in August 2021, devoted much time and effort to get the provincial government to meet its long-standing commitment to secure the mineral tenures and have the "Donut Hole" protected. It is great to see the objective finally achieved.

FMCBC Trails Update - New Maintenance Database

The Fed is working to launch a new trails maintenance database. Check out our progress and learn how you can get involved!

A Call for FMCBC Paper and Electronic documents

Do you have old emails or documents from the Fed that we can review? We are compiling  old digital and paper records of FMCBC business and communications so they are retained over time. 

Historical documents are used for tracking the history of our organization and are sought by sociologists, historians and climate scientists to track changes over time - extremely valuable!

If you have questions, submissions or would like more information, please contact Mike Stewart.

Our February E-news title image is an FMCBC historical photograph of the Chilliwack River basin. 

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

FMCBC Weighs in on BC Storm Impact

FMCBC Director, Jay MacArthur, contributes to this discussion of assessing storm damage to BC parks and trails. 

CRED TALKS (Columbia Region Ecological Discussions)

An excellent overview of climate change in southeast British Columbia that is relevant to much of the Province and includes climate history, projections and the scope of the problem. This is the first of a new series of lectures from the Columbia Mountains Institute.

Get details of upcoming presentations and how to receive links. The next presentation in the series will be by internationally acclaimed UNBC glaciologist, Brian Menounos on recent and projected changes in snow and ice in the Columbia Basin.

Thanks to Mike Nash, Caledonia Ramblers, for this submission.

On the Coast 

Gloria Macarenko chats with FMCBC Director, Jay MacArthur, about backcountry damage from November storms and the role of BC Parks in repairing our trails. 

Year in Review for Powell River Parks & Wilderness Society

PRPAWS reviews the awesome volunteer work done this year to maintain and improve the Sunshine Coast Trail. 

Mountain Mentors bring back Roam from Home

This February 15th - March 15th, foster connections, build community, and support Mountain Mentors’ programming through the Roam from Home Challenge! The challenge will return complete with prizes, educational workshops, community-building events and more. They have some stellar prizes available, including an Arc’teryx backpack, Altus Mountain Guide courses, Sea to Sky Gondola passes, Wendy Thompson Hut stays, and more!

The first workshop will be on Nervous System Regulation in the Backcountry with Sydney Badger of Back to Earth Counselling on Feb 15th at 6:30 pm. Learn more and sign up for the challenge!

VIMFF 2022 FESTIVAL PROGRAM ANNOUNCED

Join the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival to celebrate their 25th Anniversary with a specially curated program that features both in-person and online options. They've lined up accomplished guest speakers, engaging workshops and panel discussions, and 50+ films about climbing, snowsports, adventure, mountain culture, the environment and more! 

Y2Y Film Fest 'Mothers of Mountains' 

The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative presents 'Mothers of Mountains'. Caribou were once one of Canada's most widespread wildlife species, found wandering over 80 percent of the country's landscape. Today, their populations are plummeting with many herds at the immediate risk of extirpation — localized extinctions. Join artist and filmmaker Caitlin Bodewitz as she explores the synergy of Indigenous knowledge and science to bring the Klinse-Za caribou herd back from the brink of extinction.

The film presentation will include a Q&A session with the filmmaker and a Y2Y expert on hand to answer some of your conservation queries about the film.

Tuesday, February 22 from 7 to 8 p.m. Mountain Time

Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program Education Events

Visit the FWCP events page to register for upcoming learning seminars:

 

February 25 – Update: recovery of Vancouver Island marmots 

March 4 – Murphy Creek Spawning Channel: partnering to support rainbow trout 

March 10 – Salmon futures: science, stressors, and stewardship of salmon watersheds 

March 30 – Conserving at-risk Stone’s sheep in the Peace region 

The Skaha Climbers Festival

May 28 & 29 2022 - Penticton BC

The 2022 Skaha Climbers Festival celebrates the 12-year anniversary of the formation of Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park in Penticton and recognizes the 27-year anniversary of the formation of the Climbers Access of BC which was initiated in Skaha Bluffs at Penticton BC.

In the News

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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