The Federation of Mountain Clubs
of British Columbia
April 2020 NEWSLETTER
| FMCBC welcomes new member, The Burnaby Outdoor Club The Burnaby Outdoor Club, our newest member, plans day and overnight, and multi-day trips and coordinates and promotes year-round outdoor activities, including hiking, snowshoeing, walking, cycling, skiing, skating, and more. Additionally, the club provides hike ratings and trip reports once these outdoor activities will be available again. View more information about the Burnaby Outdoor Club on their website at burnabyoutdoor.com. | New Communications and Administration Manager officially starts at FMCBC on May 1 The FMCBC is pleased to welcome Chandra Matlock as their new Communications and Administration Manager. Stacey Santos, who joined the Federation in 2016, will be pursuing other endeavors as of May 1, 2020. The Board of Directors and staff at FMCBC would like to thank Stacey and wish her well in her new endeavours. Learn more about Chandra
From a young age, Chandra spent summers at the lake or riverside parks and winters at the local ski hill or skating rink. She would always have her mountain bike, kayak, hiking boots, fishing rod, skates, yoga mat, or snowshoes nearby for the next adventure. | | Chandra has transformed her passion for the outdoors and recreation into a long-term career; she has worked as a Marketing Director and Officer Manager for a Junior A Hockey Club and Marketing Director for a ski and snowboard resort. She has sold out events, sponsorships, and ski schools. Her most recent experience is with the City of Prince George promoting summertime festivals, sports tourism and events, and over 100 parks and 100+ kilometres of trails in the Northern BC community. Chandra has completed her Bachelor of Commerce (major in Marketing), won over 15 Achievements in Marketing awards, and ranked on the top 100 PowerHouse social media rankings internationally. With over 20 years of experience in marketing and communications, the FMCBC is pleased to welcome Chandra to the Federation.
| We’re seeking photos from your past backcountry adventures Our next Spring/Summer edition of Cloudburst will launch on June 1. We’ll share club members' stories, trip reports and reviews, plus articles, book reviews, and more. Did you hike, bike, or climb last spring or summer at a beautiful location in BC? Share your photos with us and make sure to include a brief description about your adventure. We would love to feature picturesque trails and parks from across BC. Submit your photos to chandra@mountainclubs.org by May 15. | Member club volunteers recognized on National Volunteer Week During National Volunteer Week (April 19-25), the FMCBC recognized all hard-working, invaluable volunteers at each of our member clubs on social media. Thanks for advocating for and enhancing our BC trails and parks! The FMCBC is seeking photos of member club volunteers working on backcountry projects, such as building trails, huts, or bridges; organizing or leading a past group hike; helping at previous community events; and more. Tell us about your projects and share project photos by emailing chandra@mountainclubs.org. We’d like to share information about what’s going on in your region and raise awareness of trail enhancements. Note: today's the deadline to submit your application to fund member club trail projects through our Member Grant Program. The application link was sent to member club representatives through the FMCBC Reps Groups.IO email group. | Share the state of BC's trail and outdoor community The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC is gathering concrete, practical data on the current state of BC’s trail and outdoor community. Complete the survey and enter to win a MEC gift card. Please ensure only one representative per organization or club fills out the survey. The survey results will be used to plan for long-term planning and advocate for the needs of the outdoor recreation community during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. | Outdoor Recreation Council recruiting fresh faces to Board The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORC) is recruiting a new member to its Board of Directors, including a representative from the Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC. If you are part of a member club and seeking to advocate for and protect outdoor recreation experiences in BC, please consider joining the ORC Board. Email fmcbc@mountainclubs.org to put your name forward or nominate another club member. Through its programs and activities, ORC encourages British Columbians to participate in outdoor recreation activities; advocates for and facilitates access to public lands and waters for outdoor recreation; builds bridges between outdoor recreation groups; and encourages safe and responsible use of the outdoors through education programs that promote safety and outdoor ethics. | Backcountry explorers! Tell SFU how you use avalanche safety info Survey time! The SFU Avalanche Research Program, Avalanche Canada, and several U.S. Avalanche Centers are conducting an online survey to examine how backcountry recreationists — skiers, snowshoers, and ice climbers — use public avalanche safety information. Participants who complete the survey before May 15, 2020 will be entered in a draw for several cash prizes. Complete the survey. | National trail survey assesses support needs for trail groups To understand the impact of COVID-19 on the trail sector and determine the support needs of trail groups nationwide, the Trans Canada Trail is hosting a short survey.
Take the survey. Trans Canada Trail is working with federal, provincial, and territorial governments to communicate how the trail sector is vital for the health and well-being of Canadians, and how the sector is essential for economic development, tourism, and green infrastructure jobs in communities across the country. | Opportunity to participate in three public consultations - East of Kelowna: Outback Snowmobile Tours Inc. is proposing to operate day guided tours out of the Big White Ski Resort, on groomed snowmobile trails circumnavigating Big White Mountain utilizing existing operational and non-status roadways during winter time.
Review the referral package and submit comments.
- Southwestern BC: Endless Biking has applied for a 30-year Licence of Occupation for guided mountain biking in the Sea to Sky, Sunshine Coast, and Fraser Valley. The tenure area covers pre-existing trails in Squamish, Whistler, Sumas, Vedder, and Sunshine Coast.
Review the referral package and submit comments.
- Columbia Shuswap Regional District (near Golden): The applicant has applied to develop a year-long camping facility off Blaeberry FSR (Kootenay District) in the vicinity of the Blaeberry River (part of it covers the foreshore of the river). The site is 3.5 ha and consists of 35 tented sites with a tented picnic area and fireplace.
Review the referral package and submit comments. | Dr. Melissa Lem and Robin Edger: Social distancing means we need to connect to nature more than ever — safely - The Province, April 11, 2020 Trail access depends on jurisdiction and use says Campbell River official - Campbell River Mirror, April 14, 2020 Parks Canada says no camping, group activities on-site until June, at least - CTV News, April 15, 2020 COVID-19: B.C. outdoor groups feel park closures may be counterproductive - Vancouver Sun, April 12, 2020 Nature Beckons? Proceed with Extreme Caution - The Tyee, April 8, 2020 All BC Parks Closing - Government of BC news release, April 8, 2020 BC Parks 'actively' working on a reopening plan, timeline unclear - CTV News, April 27, 2020 Province ponders reopening parks, Advocates worry if B.C. parks don't reopen soon, some people may head into areas where there's no way to control the risks - CTV News, April 27, 2020 | Other News & Announcements | BC’s Search and Rescue team respond to 1,700 calls per year As Sandra Riches of BC AdventureSmart said, that [responding to over 1,700 calls each year] is too many calls even during a normal season. During a pandemic, it’s downright untenable. And it’s prompting calls far and wide within BC’s outdoor communities to slow down and be safe. Learn more. | BC AdventureSmart offering virtual training for survival outdoors Do you hike with kids or want to bring your teenage or grandchild along to experience the outdoors? BC AdventureSmart is offering a series of virtual training on how to plan your trip or survive in the outdoors. Learn more. If you are interested in e-Learning options for your group, organization, or even just yourself, please email BC AdventureSmart at coastalteam@adventuresmartbc.ca. | 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. | | Copyright © 2020 Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC, All rights reserved.
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